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This is what I have been told. We are in the boxseat to get Luke Shuey. He wants to come back to Victoria and would happily come to Melbourne as he barracked for us as a kid and is good mates with Jack Viney. Essendon are circling though and might offer a Carlise and Colyer to get Shuey to the Bombers. Jeremy Laidler will most likely be a Demon next year aswell. We have shown the most interest. Janesch to Melbourne is more than likely as he wants to return to Victoria. Daniel Cross is 95% over the line but Carlton have had chats with him. Liam Patrick will be picked up with a late pick in the draft or free agent (not sure on status) This one surprised me when my mate told me but we have spoken with Richmond's Aaron Edwards. Not sure how he would fit in our forward line to be honest. Sylvia will be at Freo next year. Lock that in. 2 year deal. Thanks for the service Colin. We have spoken with David McKay from Adelaide but he had no interest in playing for Melbourne, so it was a brief chat. Also mentioned we had Geoff Welsh nearly sewn up as Football Manager, but changed his mind at the last minute and will most likely take a year off and join North or GWS. In other team news: With North possibly missing out on Dal Santo and Betts, they are very interested in Jed Lamb and Everitt. Harper is on the table aswell. Rockcliff could be at Essendon or Carlton next year. Manager was reportedly seen at Visy Park yesterday. Dale Thomas will be a Hawk but Carlton still haven't given up hope. North in the boxseat to get Polkinghorne from Brisbane. Leigh Adams possibly in the trade. Taylor Adams to Collingwood. Lock it in. Eilliot Yeo from Brisbane will most likely be involved in a straight swap for Shane Savage. Pods will be most likely at Carlton next year. Matt Rosa will either stay at West Coast or move to Fremantle. Adelaide has had enough of Bernie Vince and will trade him back to WA or delist him if no one is interested. He is not interested in coming to Melbourne though. Eddie Betts to the Crows but North still a slim 5% chance. Richmond are heavily linked to Shaun Hampson. Q-Stick is linked with GWS. Josh Hunt/ Richard Tambling could be at North Melbourne next year. Didak to Carlton. Liam Anthony to Gold Coast. Levi Greenwood to Adelaide. Take what you will from this but just passing on what I have heard from my mate. Normally spot on the money but things change every hour in football. Eg. Told me Essendon withdrew a 3 year deal to Chappy and are going to make big plays at Shuey/ Rockcliff.

Why rush? Means Roos will stay at least year 3. I suspect the article is calling the Swans bluff by signalling that he is leaving in a year and we can wait. By saying there will be no assistant appointed this year because we are waiting for the candidate we want to become available it will do Colless head in. Dews position at the Swans will be untenable, he would just be gathering more inside information for a year at the swans, and getting close to those who will want to leave because Buddy has all the money. The swans are about to be out flanked here i suspect.

I don't regard our recruiting efforts in 2012 as a disaster at all. We managed to get Jack Viney with a second rounder, got the player we wanted in Jimmy Toumpas at pick 4, picked up Jesse Hogan and Dom Barry in the mini draft, Dean Kent looks likely and mature age recruits Matt Jones, Dean Terlich and Mitch Clisby all showed a lot. Injuries aside, Chris Dawes provided leadership and will be a very handy cog in our forward line with a healthy body and a full pre season behind him.Given the turnover of 14 players in a season, the players you get at the end of the line are always going to be a bit of pot luck. I think Pedersen was a fair swap for Gysberts who didn't get a game at North. Byrnes cost absolutely nothing and is there as much as anything for experience and leadership. That leaves us with David Rodan who we picked up for pick 88 (and a similar role to Byrnes) and Tom Gillies, a flop who came as a delisted free agent and cost nothing. On balance, I think our recruiting at the end of 2012 was a plus given the necessarily high turnover in players. I'd be happy with more of the same with the rider that we should expect at least one high quality trade coming in if we let pick 2 go.

"the melbourne football club will always be in my heart: it has made me who I am today and I thank them for that" Ok Col, you are leaving ..I get that....but geez ....no need to get nasty.

This is an automated message from the word police. You have been caught using a word incorrectly. The word you need is "he's". If the contraction is too hard for you, write it out in full - "he is". End message.

I used to think that way ("who could blame them for chasing success..."), but I've changed my mind. If you want success, drive it your bloody self. The best teams in the competition are all the best because they've done exactly that, and with Roos now on board a senior player like Sylvia is being given a golden opportunity.

No biggie. A pretty crap midfielder that is best suited as a high half-forward finisher. There's a reason he was part of the worst midfield in history. He was "predator" in style not "first dibs", which is fine, but he didn't do it well. He was always lunging for a tackle, because he wasn't clean with his first touch, he wasn't creative, not a good handballer and couldn't read the play. Look at the possessions Swan gets from reading the play and gut running. Sylvia had the same midfield role as Swan, but simply wasn't very good at it. He wasn't a two-way runner, was lazy and played on his own terms. He will play some good footy for Freo, as a high half-forward, which is his best role. Even then he doesn't kick miraculous goals, excel with defensive pressure, or play 4 quarter football. Would have been happy enough to keep him, but as a highly paid player it doesn't do us much harm and may well be a blessing for both parties.

I can not fathom the flippancy being demonstrated here about the impending loss of Sylvia. There is a hint of the mouse with the electric pellet. Exactly how many times does the club need to be decimated on the field by the loss of its senior players for it to sink in? Without Sylvia this year, we would have quite literally had ONE senior contributor in the midfield in Jones. We are talking here about the loss of our only other senior midfielder worth a pinch of muck. Edit: Just seen confirmation he's gone. Getting fair compensation is now vital.

its a rumour thread!Have you takn any of it seriously?

He heard about Roosy's no d1ckhead policy and knew the jig was up. He's a high half-forward finisher, but an average midfielder. He's never made a difference to our on-field fortunes and frees up some cap space. I genuinely wish him well.

Sacrificial Lamb?

The worst that can happen is that we pick up the 2nd best rated kid in the country.

Am I only the only poster on Demonland who doesn't have a source or access to somebody in the know?

Word is we have freed up 'ridiculous money' for a biggish name. Negotiations are reportedly going well and players are viewing us as viable now. Thank f...

I don't think that Sylvia's wage is going to be at the level of a Thomas (certainly not Franklin) and that plays a part in determining the bands. With hat said, he will be on a wage similar to Chaplin at Richmond and he got Port Band 3 comp. Things that flow from this; There will be no trade with Freo. They have no leaving FA from what I can see that would warrant a trade with us. Which means... We will wait and get a pick at the end of FA with a week of trade week to go. Mahoney will sweat on the compensation decision as he will make assumptions to all and sundry about what we have to play with in that last week. Probably Pick 21ish. We will not sign anyone in FA. This doesn't mean we won't target them but we will get them in a trade or DFA or the PSD. Pick 2 will be spent on an experienced mid. The desire to get that player just went up I sure. Our ability to do that trade also went up... Time will tell what this meant to the future of our club. The medium term could see us benefit from Colin's decision.

Time to offer Frawley a 5 year 4 million dollar deal now before he becomes next years version of Franklin as the biggest name in free agency and walks out on us. Sydney were sniffing around Franklin this time last year, so clubs will be all over Chip now. I'm tipping Gold Coast would be keen, GWS probably, Hawthorn to replace Lake and probably more. Has to happen.

Its sad that people think those stats are irreplaceable

This is further proof that the AFL is starting to become a very unequal comp. It doesn't bother me that Sylvia is leaving because there is nothing we can do about it. But the fact is the AFL need to think of a way to help the lower clubs before it gets out of hand. Soon we will see the Hawks and Swans and Pies just continue to top up with other teams players very much like the EPL and we will just sit between last and mid table for ever. Until maybe some rich person takes over and pumps money into us. I am afraid for this competition and if it continues like this I won't bother watching anymore and will spend my time doing other things. I love the club but I can see things going very badly for the AFL.

Disappointed, but not shattered. I still think we'd be better off with him than without. Oh well.

This is the sort of "A Grade" play our club has been sadly missing for a long time. This is playing the Swans at their own game. We can't lose from this. There is a high likelihood that this will flush Dew out in the coming weeks. With this comment, all it takes is for Dew to tell the Swans he is intending to leave for the Dees at the end of his contract and he will be released. I suspect he will be in Red and Blue before pre-season training starts.

If we do have to wait for Dew an extra 12 months would that then translate as Roos staying on as coach for a third year? Either way I would be happy.

The fact it's Sylvia thats going is irrelevant. The symbolism of yet another senior player leaving to chase success is a very dark omen for the future of the club, the future of the other small clubs and the future of the competition. FA has opened pandoras box and I fear the disparity has now grown to such a level that the lid on this can not be closed. The comp is entering the point of no return. FA will create one way traffic for the quality senior players wanting a flag. in return the smaller clubs will be getting the Rodans and the Byrnes from free agency. A self perpetuating and widening gulf between the haves and the have nots. MFC lack of success in recent years was the worst timing possible and this period may be looked upon in future years as the straw that broke the camel's back.

I hear the argument that you need experienced players to help the development and shield some of the younger talent - I get that but then I think you really need to look at the players you want to keep because of their "experience." I look at a first year player like Viney and imagine that players around him must say "wow - look at how he goes about - look at his attitude" and then I look at the "experienced" Sylvia and think to myself - should players within our club look at his contribution over 10 years and try and mirror it ? We need to keep ( or attract) experienced players but only players whose experience is a positive for the club. The only player we have lost over the last few years whose experience we could have used was Jnr ( and I am on record as saying the timing was right as his body was shot). Moloney, Sylvia ( and to a lesser extent Rivers) thanks but no thanks.

Not a lot. He did mention that they'd spoken to all of the clubs regarding pick 2. Sounds like most will present some sort of offer over the next couple of days. Pick 2 has clearly generated some interest. It remains to be seen whether we receive bigfooty style Shaw for pick 2 offers or the Shield/Swallow/Crouch for pick 2 deals that would have us salivating. Let's hope for the latter.

I'm glad we didn't get a priority pick. That would have been unfair on the likes of Sydney and Freo. Oh, wait......

You're not comparing apples with apples, when you compare Sylvia will top line midfielders.

said it was "the hardest decision he has made in his career" not surprising as he normally avoided hard decisions

This past decade has delivered very little that's good for the Melbourne Football Club. Starting in the latter half of the Daniher period, going through the Bailey years and into the brief period in which Mark Neeld was coach, we epitomised all that was wrong and bad in our code. We had a poor culture, lazy work ethic and too many players appeared to lack the care of club and self that's needed for success. To me, Colin Sylvia represented much of all that. I'm not interested in apportioning blame - it could probably be shared in whatever proportions you like between the player, past coaches and administrations but that's no longer important. We simply need to ensure his departure brings closure to a sorry period in the club's history. I don't even particularly care about the compensation that we get for him. Just as long as he goes and in the end, our new coaches and our football personnel are free to develop a brand new ethos at the club. It's testament to the lack of player development evident at Melbourne in the past that the abiding memory that I have of him as a player is of a game he played at Sandringham at the very start of his first season (he hadn't even made his AFL debut yet). He grabbed the ball in the middle and, off one step, slotted a goal from more than 70 metres out. Had Bruce McAvaney been around he might have described it as a "delicious" moment. Sylvia's kick could well have been aided a little by the wind at his back (I can't really remember if that was the case) but I never saw him recreate that moment in ten years that followed and that is why, for the good of the player and the club, it's a good time to part.

gone tears shed ..zero. Show me the compo.

Swans have lost the plot this year, pure and simple: - lost any goodwill with Roos - effectively chopped out three good talls in Mumford, White and Reid - lost the last of the true bloods in Bolton’s retirement - are paying way overs to fund what Buddy has openly stated is a ‘lifestyle’ move - he can't ruck and he has already won himself two flags – the hunger to play will be gone - signed a death warrant for their cost of living allowance - annoyed the hell outta the AFL by standing up the GWS pet project - and no club can afford to do this - it’s the AFL's bat, ball and backyard, and they'll do whatever they want (as we all know). Franklin's a great player and will kick some bags, but surely the negatives far outweigh the positives on this one. It's actually quite funny to watch another club do the dumb stuff for a change.

Mate hate to break it to you, but even if Roos disappoints he will still be 5 fold better than Neeld and significantly better than Bailey. Neeld was the worst possible appointment. He was the wrong man, at the wrong time who did not possess the required skill set and was hopelessly out of his depth at a basket case of a club. Its a big difference being a assistant coach at a super club under the best coach in the game to being head coach at a 2nd tier club with massive internal problems. He could not coach, he could not develop, he could not install confidence and self belief and he had no idea how to deal with the internal politics and issues. At the very least Roos has experience, is a master motivator and a legendary player developer. We have our man.

Why would we give pick 18 for a bloke who can't make the North side?

"Sylvia's mother says Sylvia's packing, he's going to be leaving today. Sylvia's mother says, Sylvia's manager is going the heave-ho way. Sylvia's mother says, please don't say nothing to make him start crying and stay..." (Apologies, Dr. Hook)

I have just moved to Melbourne for work and family. Getting my first membership soon. Can't wait

you've done well ol' son. it is a rumours thread, ignore the whingers. rest up, you've earned your sleep tonight.

Apart from the Daniel Cross rumour that was in The Age. I haven't seen Janesch, Patrick, Edwards, Shuey or Laidler been mentioned at the Dees anywhere. My main focus is on the Dees. He gave me a rundown on other teams and I thought fellow Demonlanders on here might appreciate it. Again. Take it at what you will. I'm just passing on what I have heard. To answer your question. His not an admin, he doesn't even have Facebook haha

Sign up, Chip and really show us.

This is a loss for us - just another senior player and a solid contributor that we have to replace. As we know this has not been easy recently.

Heard this the other day: Grisly Adams did have a beard.

I love it! Finally doing what ever it takes to get the best. If that means waiting a year so be it, Swans can pay and train our coach for a year and he can tap up some players to come with him.

I don't mind him leaving for Freo, he has a chance to win a flag. If he leaves for Essendon I'll be staggered, what a poor choice that would be. Regarding compo, I have said and rpfc has said, there are 6 bands: 1. After our 1st round (pick 3) 2. After the first round (pick 17) 3. After our 2nd round (pick 19) 4. After the second round (pick 33) 5. After our 3rd round (pick 35) 6. Not good enough to warrant compo The above picks take into account Essendon and Adelaide draft suspensions but not other free agent compensation picks. I think it's likely we will get band 2 or 3 compo which I would be happy with for sylvia. I can't see us getting band 1, and with 4th band I'd be disappointed because while on a competition scale he may not be one of the elite, he is clearly one of our best players, one of our few senior players, and that should be a big part of the "compensation" process. 5th or 6th I'd be fuming and accusing the AFL of trying to kill us quickly. Anyone claiming "late second or 3rd round as compo" doesn't understand the compo band process.

We will have the best midfield in the comp next year - Shuey, Sloane, Rockliffe, Selwood, Swallow to add to Jones & Viney - wow can't wait!!!

Bigger loss than most people realise. We need his size.. this is another sign best mate Jamar is gawn too

Y M is the Bettlejuice of footy forums... say his name three times, he will turn up and will be very difficult to get rid of.

Until he dons the red and the blue.

Sometimes I miss Yze Magic...

One day supporters will realise that who a player supported as a child means zero once they've been on another clubs list. Absolutely zero. Not even 1%. Zilch. Pining for Prestia because he loved Melbourne as a kid is as worthwhile as pining for the girl you had on your wall when you were 15. EDIT: I had Samantha Fox. Turned lesbian a number of years back - not that there's anything wrong with that.

Translation please?

For Boyd? "Are you better than Hogan?"