Robbo Departure?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Is Robbo going to another team?

Could this be the start of trading?

[Madness 44]

Billy Brownless said it, nuff said.

[Hulett Packard III 166]

Billy Brownless said it, nuff said.

It's sensible that the club will explore all avenues to improve its list in 2008 and beyond. With a new coach and a new direction some players who we've grown used to and who have become part of the furniture are going to have to move on because they might not fit the new coach's vision of the Melbourne Football Club in years to come.

We're going to have to get used to rumours like this one and accept that some will come to fruition.

[Gorgoroth 13,019]

Robbo will not leave.

[godees 873]

What was said? Being in Sydney i don't get to see the show

[The Fergburger 0]

Robbo will play out his days with the Demons. He's turning 30 next year and we won't get much for him in trade week.

The boys love him at the club so he probably won't go.

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

Bunch of BS robbo wont leave his heart beats true for the red and the blue

[beelzebub 23,383]

not even finals yet and the fun and games start.... gotta love it !!! heheh

look and listen by all means....but use your brains people !!...where is the logic, sense or gain ?...there is none...hence no move.

[Jarka 767]

word is he wants a 3 yr contract and melb will on give him 2...

I hope the club stays firm with this, but even a two year contract is a risk considering his injuries.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I hope the club stays firm with this, but even a two year contract is a risk considering his injuries.

Agreed.

After the season we have had, we should explore all options with Robbo and other senior players at seasons end. I am worried that a three year contract has a similar ring to the generous retirement package we signed up another player with an unlucky number to who has lost the capacity for AFL.

[brey9186 102]

a new regime wont get sucked into it, like bizzell and yze...

[Jaded No More 68,974]

I'm not the right person to comment on this subject, as I am extremely biased and it would hurt me immensely to watch Robbo play for another team.

However, I am not opposed to the club exploring all of their options when it comes to White, Robbo, Johnstone, Bruce and Green.

While I don't necessary want all these players to leave, we have to see what they are worth to other sides.

[beelzebub 23,383]

If Robbo wants three...he can have three.. at any of other 15 clubs for due recompence. No one is more important than the club and we've been SO clever in our dealings in the past. Even if only the injury cloud he cant command three, he ought to know that.

But I'l wait til anything official comes out...all rumour at moment.

[Nicho 1]

Should keep him... We wouldnt get anything for him in trade week anyway.....

However he does need to not play again untill he is fully fit....

[grazman 7,451]

Should keep him... We wouldnt get anything for him in trade week anyway.....

However he does need to not play again untill he is fully fit....

Disagree, Key forwards are hard to find. The only question is whether we think he is worth more than what is being offered.

[Nasher 33,617]

Giving him three years would be Bizzell/Yze all over again. I like Robbo and personally would prefer it if he stayed, however there's only a very select few players I would give three year contracts to and he is not one of them.

[Gorgoroth 13,019]

I love Robbo but the club should only give him 2.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

I don't see Robbo leaving the club that he loves for one extra year.

He's taken pay cuts before to stay with us, and I'm certain he'll reach a compromise to remain a one-club player.

I agree that he shouldn't be given a 3 year deal.

Maybe 2 years with a third year option depending on performance in 2009? (possibly set a target of game/goals?)

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I don't see Robbo leaving the club that he loves for one extra year.

He's taken pay cuts before to stay with us, and I'm certain he'll reach a compromise to remain a one-club player.

It may not be just his option for the decision there.

I agree that he shouldn't be given a 3 year deal.

Maybe 2 years with a third year option depending on performance in 2009? (possibly set a target of game/goals?)

At who's option for the 3rd year.

If the club wants to keep him. Just give him two years and then assess at contract end. How about set additional real targets that also assist the team of tackles and defensive efforts? If you give him a games/goals target he will play for himself. I think he shown some evidence of that this year.

[DEES 0]

in all seriousneess we gotta rebuild again, it's pretty easy to see. Our spine at the moment isn't gonna get us anywhere. We gotta trade off our 'gun' players and look to improve with pace,rucks,kpp. If we get anything decent for robbo, we should take it, or else he'll be facing the same fortune as he has for the last 10 years.

[Key Deefender 143]

I think Robbo should be as close to untouchable as anyone at the club. Not because he is an elite player - he isn't. But he is the heartbeat and soul of the place and those guys, as rare and as unique as they are, need a little extra consideration when deciding who to keep and who to let go.

On playing ability alone he is tradeable although he brings an edge and an unpredictability to our forward line that can both excite and infuriate. But he is the most media friendly and marketable personality in the playing group and has a passion for the club and for what he does that is second to none. He is at the club's core and with our 150th year next year and TeamMelbourne up and running we need players with both media presence and personality. Most importantly, he's still easily in our best 22.

That said, no player should hold a club to ransom and I don't believe he would. He would ask for what he wants as anyone is entitled, and then be open for negotiation. Contracts can be front-ended, back-ended, performance based and have clauses added by either party.

He won't be up for trade as trades like that rip the soul out of a place. Remember S Woewodin?

This time of the year brings out rumour mongering at its often least credible. Reader and listener beware!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

He won't be up for trade as trades like that rip the soul out of a place. Remember S Woewodin?

Short term pain for longer term gain. I look at today....would you rather Bell or Woewodin on your list? I'd take Bell. The Woey decision was the correct one at the time and has been shown to be so. Hard decisions need to be made to the list. HIs position should be part of that review.

I am concerned that physically and performance wise, Robbo ihas been struggling both form and output and if we dont seek appropriate value for him now, we lose that window of opportunity.

He is far from untouchable ATM. Its a problem done at MFC that mediocre performing players are treated as such.

[Key Deefender 143]

Short term pain for longer term gain. I look at today....would you rather Bell or Woewodin on your list? I'd take Bell. The Woey decision was the correct one at the time and has been shown to be so. Hard decisions need to be made to the list. HIs position should be part of that review.

I am concerned that physically and performance wise, Robbo ihas been struggling both form and output and if we dont seek appropriate value for him now, we lose that window of opportunity.

He is far from untouchable ATM. Its a problem done at MFC that mediocre performing players are treated as such.

All you say is true. My Woey comparison was probably a bad one because as divisive as it was, it was the right decision. However it was made for a different reason altogether. After his Brownlow year Woey failed to finish top 10 in the B & F the following two years and was the highest paid player at the club. Robbo does not command that sort of salary, he consistently puts in and can be a match winner on his day. Woewodin was never that.

Robbo has no doubt played at below par fitness all season and in his late 20s it can be argued he plays a high impact/risk type of game that may curtail his career earlier than it should. However I still think overall he offers our club far more than his market value as a player and the "great clubman" mantle can never be really restarted in a new environment, particularly at his age.

I agree that hard decisions need to be made to the list but what is Robbo really worth even now? A second or third round pick? Maybe third, I doubt second. A young gun seeking a fresh opportunity? Unlikely. I doubt his type of player would attract much value. His size is everywhere, he can be hit and miss, as great as he often is, and his increasing injury risk at his increasing age makes him a doubtful quantity for other clubs seeking an edge.

His real value remains with us. If we need to make hard list decisions with players of any real market currency, I would start with Cameron Bruce.

[Gorgoroth 13,019]

Please don't go into the trading of "He who shall not be named".

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

Bunch of BS robbo wont leave his heart beats true for the red and the blue

So did Woey's.

The new coaching panel may do anything.

Robbo ... Whelan ... Rivers ... Brock ... no-one is safe if the new broom thinks it's best for the long term.

He won't be up for trade as trades like that rip the soul out of a place

Maybe a bit of soul ripping is what's required?

We're starved for success and something has to give.