54 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Um Tom Campbell I rate, having said that Max "Moose" Heath is better than both A.J and T.C and as such he is in my best 23 EASILY!

I actually agree with you on all accounts PF. I totally rate Tom Campbell as well, but you could take the view that as a 34 yo who's not going to develop for the future and didn't play an AFL game last year he is more of a clogger than AJ, who potentially has something like 5-8+ years ahead of him as a useful AFL player and who did contribute meaningfully to the on-field performance of the team at an AFL level when he got his chance last season. That was the point I was making with Tom.

Asides from just the 'insurance for Max' factor, I also believe Tom Campbell was of significant development value to the team last year.

Can't wait to see what The Moose can do over the next few years. Hopefully he'll really grab the opportunity with both hands and take his game to the next level, because as much as I see great potential, I'm also worried it could also go the other way and he could end up being an average VFL ruckman who didn't quite make it if things don't click.

On 27/12/2025 at 11:02, rjay said:

According to training reports he has himself in great shape.

Good on him, he's not going to die wondering.

First comment that was important.

18 hours ago, Robbie87 said:

Agree with many here - his physicality is impressive, can clunk a mark, and, I thought, accounted for himself well in secondary ruck duties. He also has the ability to win and quickly feed out the ball out ground level. Not sure where he fits, but hope he earns a chance to show what he has at AFL senior level.

My thoughts also - "useful utility" best describes him.

Let's hope he surprises us all

The back up ruck comments are utter nonsense.

Admittedly, van Rooyen is very good at it, but I've seen Johnson on multiple occasions last preseason go head to head against van Rooyen as second rucks in match simulation and get well beaten. Johnson offers nothing in the AFL as far as ruck work goes.

I spent over 20 years arguing with dolts on this website about players who weren't up to it. Talk about deja vu. I'm trying to think of a player I got wrong...

On 27/12/2025 at 15:11, picket fence said:

If he gets a game in 2026 we are in REAL trouble!

Classic Demonland (and Picket Fence) "glass half empty" post.

The "glass half full" response would be that if he gets a game in 2026, he's got himself super-fit and improved his skills.

Either way, he's got another year to prove himself.

2 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Classic Demonland (and Picket Fence) "glass half empty" post.

The "glass half full" response would be that if he gets a game in 2026, he's got himself super-fit and improved his skills.

Either way, he's got another year to prove himself.

1 hour ago, Gator said:

The back up ruck comments are utter nonsense.

I spent over 20 years arguing with dolts on this website about players who weren't up to it. Talk about deja vu. I'm trying to think of a player I got wrong...

Dolts on Demonland !!😱😱

Surely that's fake news

2 hours ago, Gator said:

I spent over 20 years arguing with dolts on this website about players who weren't up to it. Talk about deja vu. I'm trying to think of a player I got wrong...

Confucius say: "any man who consistently argues with dolts, must like a level playing field".

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by Neil Crompton

8 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

You endlessly bagged the sch!tt outta Goody for selections (along with pretty much everything else) and now you’re effectively already doing the same to Kingy before he’s even coached a game.

SACK KING NOW!!!!!! (28 December 2025 - 7:14 PM)

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by redandbluemakepurple

8 minutes ago, Gator said:

Admittedly, van Rooyen is very good at it, but I've seen Johnson on multiple occasions last preseason go head to head against van Rooyen as second rucks in match simulation and get well beaten. Johnson offers nothing in the AFL as far as ruck work goes.

I spent over 20 years arguing with dolts on this website about players who weren't up to it. Talk about deja vu. I'm trying to think of a player I got wrong...

Time well spent 👏

7 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I’m just as gutted as you are about Clarry leaving, possibly more so. But he’s gone, there’s no changing that. What good does it do to be so angry with Kingy? Him being our coach is also something that ain’t gonna change. Therefore, as a genuine Melbourne supporter you should try to embrace all these changes because this is what we’ve got now, there’s no alternative.

It’s understandable that you’re still devastated about Claz (I also am) but you shouldn’t direct your frustration and anger towards one person, especially when that one person is our senior coach.

That one person didn't even BACK HIMSELF to get Clarry back to something like his best, just wanted him out the door....says plenty to me and others, the coach turned his back on one of our greatest EVER! Oh yeah there is the fallacy right there! Too hard basket but didn't even give it a shot! Case closed!

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by picket fence

I'd like to be proven wrong, but I don't think hes up to it skill wise. I would be surprised if he is still on the list in 2027.

the coach turned his back on one of our greatest EVER! Oh yeah there is the fallacy right there! Too hard basket but didn't even give it a shot! Case closed!

Best ever !! In your dreams - not even in the top 5. - see Warne-Smith, Smith Barassi, Flower, Lyon.

The game has moved on drastically. Clarry has woeful disposal. A turnover merchant, can't mark & can't kick goals.

And costs the Club endless resources to keep him on the rails.

Good riddance.

5 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

the coach turned his back on one of our greatest EVER! Oh yeah there is the fallacy right there! Too hard basket but didn't even give it a shot! Case closed!

Best ever !! In your dreams - not even in the top 5. - see Warne-Smith, Smith Barassi, Flower, Lyon.

The game has moved on drastically. Clarry has woeful disposal. A turnover merchant, can't mark & can't kick goals.

And costs the Club endless resources to keep him on the rails.

Good riddance.

You saw Warne Smith play??? And Norm Smith?? You are in fantasyland!

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by picket fence

Just now, picket fence said:

You saw Warne Smith play??? You are in fantasyland

Redact that... and a [censored]

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by picket fence

1 hour ago, Greg Schneider said:

Time well spent 👏

It's not lost on me either, Gregory.

Needless to say, I've been far more productive in other areas of my life in recent years.

When AJ was fit and/or not suspended he played a couple of pretty good games. Was quick to get the ball out which led to goals on occasions.
Preparation in AFL means a lot and this year is his first real shot at a full preseason.

Also we do not know yet how the new game plan will suit our KPF's.

The forward line will likely be more open. Running and endurance will be a big factor.

I think all the KPF's will think they are in with a chance at this stage.

38 minutes ago, picket fence said:

You saw Warne Smith play??? And Norm Smith?? You are in fantasyland!

When Clarry jags 2 Brownlow medals or even 1 then get back to me.

11 hours ago, picket fence said:

King got rid of our best player since Flower nuf said!

As always, (sigh ...) major List Management decisions are not made by any one individual, much less the head coach. But even there, once the dust settles and it all comes out, I think you'll find that King had little to do with it and that Clayton's papers were stamped quite some time ago.

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

That one person didn't even BACK HIMSELF to get Clarry back to something like his best, just wanted him out the door....says plenty to me and others, the coach turned his back on one of our greatest EVER! Oh yeah there is the fallacy right there! Too hard basket but didn't even give it a shot! Case closed!

Have a Kit Kat Picket and it's time to put this [censored] about Oliver in the cupboard for good mate. Just get over it and look to the future which will be good watching a different game plan with the kids showing how it's done.

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

Redact that... and a [censored]

Congratulations picket fence, I have just ticked over 20 years reading and posting on this site and you are the first and only poster I have put on ignore.

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

You saw Warne Smith play??? And Norm Smith?? You are in fantasyland!

Ivor never seen him play either.

1 hour ago, CHF said:

Congratulations picket fence, I have just ticked over 20 years reading and posting on this site and you are the first and only poster I have put on ignore.

I couldn't give a stuff! Well good on you Legend in ur own lunchbox, hopefully u will wear your 20 year badge with pride! I have put PLENTY on ignore, so what? We are all guilty in here dont u know that??

Edited December 28, 2025Dec 28 by picket fence

16 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Beat me to it!

Seriously PF, take a chill pill man.

Nup!

10 hours ago, bing181 said:

As always, (sigh ...) major List Management decisions are not made by any one individual, much less the head coach. But even there, once the dust settles and it all comes out, I think you'll find that King had little to do with it and that Clayton's papers were stamped quite some time ago.

Id be staggered if the list manager has the final say on who stays and who goes! Surely the coach has the final say! The job of the list manager is to specify how long to contract said player(s) not say who stays and goes.