Unfair treatment of Pickett

[Rampaging Demons 1]

Why was Cameron Bruce played?

He looked very underdone and is out for another fortnight!!

Our rehab is another area that needs to be reviewed........

[Jaded No More 68,973]

Didn't realise Bruce and Sylvia are injured again?

What the hell is wrong with Sylvia?

This kid just cannot get a break... curse this season!!!

(Unless they've decided to pull the plug on him for the rest of the year, ensuring he's fit and ready to finally do a pre-season?)

[Coxy 0]

Didn't realise Bruce and Sylvia are injured again?

News to me also, bruce didn't look right last week so maybe that explains him?

Will wait for team list to be released tomor with much interest

[The Backyard Charizard 1,202]

I am willing to put money on this theory of mine :

Pickett will come out and have a good solid game against the Swans.....

Will be in our best with 20-odd disposals and a few goals....

Will play the rest of the season and be in pretty good form (doing all the "Picketty" type things well)

We will then offer him another contract and he will turn up out of shape to pre-season, put in a few hard yards to get down to playing weight by Rnd 2 and will be involved in an off-field incident by Rnd 8.... Retires after Rnd 10....

Money down the drain!!! What are the odds of him saying "Sorry"????

[Rogue 585]

Last year Pickett wasn't terrible, but he wasn't amazing either.

He was quite good for a period from early-ish on in the season until reasonably late (a few weeks before he got injured).

[Maverick 0]

Just because pickett is a mere 1 game off his 200 milestone doesn't mean he should be played for the sake of it, personally i hope he nevers gets the opportunity to do so, as it shows that no player is bigger than the club. For the amount of money we paid him weighed against the efforts and total lack of respect shown for the MFC by pickett this season i'd be furious if we signed him for another year.

[QueenC 74]

How about Pickett's unfair treatment of the MFC?

The club who saved his career, paid him good money, and did everything in their power to make him an important part of the team?

His poor form, lack of fitness and discipline issues are a slap to the face for those who had faith in him and paid good money, and gave away a good draft pick in order to see him in a Melbourne jumper.

As it stands, he owes us a lot more than we owe him.

Nothing would please me more than to have a fit, firing and mentally focused Byron Pickett on our list next year, as he is without a doubt, a very talented, match-winning player. However, given his behaviour and performance over the last two years, I just cannot see it happening.

He has a lot of making-up to do.

Well said Jaded......

I am more than patient with the players, especially when it comes to form because the way I see it, form is fluid and is never a constant thing, but I am less than tolerant with Pickett given the apparent attitude and total lack of conviction, drive and above all commitment he seems to have for the club that pays his bills.

No-one will ever argue that Pickett in his day was a damaging, highly skilled and wonderful talent and I understood, and admittedly quite liked the idea of getting him when we did the trade a couple of years ago. He seemed to fill a void and an obvious need that this particular list had. And for a little while at least that was successful, but honestly I think that that experiment has totally run its race and I don't really see him around in 2008.

As for whether the club is being unfair to him by perhaps leaving him on 199 games? Maybe, but that isn't really the point.

There seems to be plenty of reports saying that he certainly doesn't seem to have done enough to earn his recall, form or attitude wise, and as such he could very well be left on that particular, though unfortunate number. Although at the end of the day I agree with Jaded, Rhino and co. that despite the obvious sentimentality of seeing Byron through to play his 200th, and the fact that we actually have nothing to lose by doing it, the club does not owe him a damn thing.

The opposite is so very much closer to the truth, unfortunately, and I don't think we are ever going to get that back !!!

[Pates 9,660]

Saw him at Sandy this week, if we're picking on form as we appeared to do last week than he should get to his 200th this week.

[beelzebub 23,383]

The chances are with our wretched luck with injuries this year he will get his 200th by defualt. Should he not then he only has to look in the mirror to wonder why. Danners seemed amazingly patient with the bloke. I can only imagine a new coach wil not have Byrone on his priority list... well not to keep anyway !!

Its a supposed professional and business world in football ( emthasis on supposed to be )...currently he's getting his sauce foir ghosting , and thats bloody expensive sauce !!!

[IWAP 170]

If i recall correctly, one of the reasons Port got rid of him, was that he refused to take a contract heavily weighted on match payments.

We took a gamble, and it didn't pay off. Under no circumstances should he be on our list next year.

But denying a player his 200th, just because we're not happy with his output. Maybe we have a right to do that.

I'd like to think as a club that we are better than that.

[beelzebub 23,383]

No club OWES a player his 200th !! A player owes it to himself to GET it !! Its not a charity!!

[Demons 32 235]

Well said Jaded......

I am more than patient with the players, especially when it comes to form because the way I see it, form is fluid and is never a constant thing, but I am less than tolerant with Pickett given the apparent attitude and total lack of conviction, drive and above all commitment he seems to have for the club that pays his bills.

No-one will ever argue that Pickett in his day was a damaging, highly skilled and wonderful talent and I understood, and admittedly quite liked the idea of getting him when we did the trade a couple of years ago. He seemed to fill a void and an obvious need that this particular list had. And for a little while at least that was successful, but honestly I think that that experiment has totally run its race and I don't really see him around in 2008.

As for whether the club is being unfair to him by perhaps leaving him on 199 games? Maybe, but that isn't really the point.

There seems to be plenty of reports saying that he certainly doesn't seem to have done enough to earn his recall, form or attitude wise, and as such he could very well be left on that particular, though unfortunate number. Although at the end of the day I agree with Jaded, Rhino and co. that despite the obvious sentimentality of seeing Byron through to play his 200th, and the fact that we actually have nothing to lose by doing it, the club does not owe him a damn thing.

The opposite is so very much closer to the truth, unfortunately, and I don't think we are ever going to get that back !!!

Well he has been called up to play Sydney this week because as Riley said "we couldn't ignore his terrific form".

I liked Jaded comments but yours have just been a put down. Give Pickett a break and see what he can do. he's played four games. He has worked his arse off since he stuffed up. Lost about 6 kilos so give it a rest with the bagging.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Well he has been called up to play Sydney this week because as Riley said "we couldn't ignore his terrific form".

I liked Jaded comments but yours have just been a put down. Give Pickett a break and see what he can do. he's played four games. He has worked his arse off since he stuffed up. Lost about 6 kilos so give it a rest with the bagging.

I can only assume you mean me.

Give him a break ?? lol.. how many does he want. If he's selected, good for him, he better bloody well play!! He hasnt so far. And please forget all the sentimental claptrap. This is big boy footy not a suburban lovefest. he's paid big bickies to perform. That is the ONLY criteria he is to be measured agaisnt. does he provide a returnfor the investment of the club. That goes for ANY player. Again, this is a business, elete professionalism supposedly, not a luvvy duvvy charity-fest.

People get far too wrapped up in some imagined personality worshipping. He is there to do a job. If he does it..good, if he cant, move on.

[Demons 32 235]

I can only assume you mean me.

Give him a break ?? lol.. how many does he want. If he's selected, good for him, he better bloody well play!! He hasnt so far. And please forget all the sentimental claptrap. This is big boy footy not a suburban lovefest. he's paid big bickies to perform. That is the ONLY criteria he is to be measured agaisnt. does he provide a returnfor the investment of the club. That goes for ANY player. Again, this is a business, elete professionalism supposedly, not a luvvy duvvy charity-fest.

People get far too wrapped up in some imagined personality worshipping. He is there to do a job. If he does it..good, if he cant, move on.

But so many Melbourne players do not do a good job. Why the added annoyance towards Pickett.

We can't keep blaming injuries. None of them are doing what they are paid to do. So why does the football world and Melbourne supporters single out Pickett. Its not about sentiment. But no one else has been any good this year so why not play Pickett, he at his worse is better than 25% of them atm.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Dont get me wrong.. many here are a tad fed up with any of up to a dozen players. however this thread was/is about Byrone. SO have limited comments to him, that is all.

I think ND showed immnese patiencs and faith by offering Byrone a path back into the club. Many woulndt have. has he mad an effort ? for sure. Is it enough ? debatable. Not through lack of intent, just the reality of , is he at the end of his road !!

Keep in mind pickett was a big investment by the MFC when manythought it was a misadventure. I certainly thought it had merit at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing !!!!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

How many MFC players turn up fat to pre season 2 years running?

How many MFC players who are emergencies for a game ring up the Coach and say "Sorry Squire, I'm a bit too hung over to play"?

At least the other players can handle the very basic requisites for AFL. Pickett came here with a specific purpose and failed miserably to deliver.

Regardless of what he does for the rest of the year I could not give a stuff. I want him gone at year end.

I wont be celebrating his 200th game.

[QueenC 74]

Well he has been called up to play Sydney this week because as Riley said "we couldn't ignore his terrific form".

I liked Jaded comments but yours have just been a put down. Give Pickett a break and see what he can do. he's played four games. He has worked his arse off since he stuffed up. Lost about 6 kilos so give it a rest with the bagging.

So Demons32 do you think that the club "owes" it to Pickett to have him play 200th game?

I have never made it my way to ridicule the players, and my above post was not bagging Pickett.

But I don't think that The Dees owe anything to a player who hasn't earned it.

If he earns his recall and plays his 200th, then fantastic and congratulations, if not then that is the unfortunate reality he finds himself in.

And given he will be recalled this week (through injury) this whole argument is redundant anyway !!!

[Jonesy is the next captain 0]

But so many Melbourne players do not do a good job. Why the added annoyance towards Pickett.

We can't keep blaming injuries. None of them are doing what they are paid to do. So why does the football world and Melbourne supporters single out Pickett. Its not about sentiment. But no one else has been any good this year so why not play Pickett, he at his worse is better than 25% of them atm.

I agree totally with you but u are also forgetting that Byron is not alone in the finger pointing, do not forget Miller and Bruces "kicking". Of course Pickett deserves his 200th game, he mightve been not up to standards this year but he has had a great career and what the hell do we have to lose? Another game? Gee how ever will we handle that??

[True Believer 1]

Dont get me wrong.. many here are a tad fed up with any of up to a dozen players. however this thread was/is about Byrone. SO have limited comments to him, that is all.

I think ND showed immnese patiencs and faith by offering Byrone a path back into the club. Many woulndt have. has he mad an effort ? for sure. Is it enough ? debatable. Not through lack of intent, just the reality of , is he at the end of his road !!

Keep in mind pickett was a big investment by the MFC when manythought it was a misadventure. I certainly thought it had merit at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing !!!!

Welcome back for your 200th game. Hope you have a blinder and shut alot up...GO BRYON. Good luck

[TonyMelb 7]

Welcome back for your 200th game. Hope you have a blinder and shut alot up...GO BRYON. Good luck

On SEN this morning said Byron would be selected for this week. If that is the case and he he has been selected on merit (looked good at Sandy on Saturday) then we are very happy for him and is well deserved. Hope he plays a blinder.

[Demons 32 235]

Welcome back for your 200th game. Hope you have a blinder and shut alot up...GO BRYON. Good luck

Here here.

[timD 994]

A finale at least. It will be good to see him gone. Just another sign of weakness for the MFC - recruit a hard man who is anything but...just hard enough to wing players at the corners of the action and send a text message backing out of work. I'm ashamed that we needed to recruit him and I'm ashamed that we're playing him now. Better message would be that if you do poorly by us - the club, the players - then get used to the bench, or the discard pile.