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I know it's covered in the delisting thread but I think it does Jack Grimes a disservice to be bundled up as just another delisted player. I actually think it's poor form....Jack deserves his own thread, his own heading. Jack might not have been a champion but he has been a champion bloke who gave his all for the Melbourne Football Club. As a kid living the dream, a Melbourne supporter drafted by the club that he followed. Unfortunately for Jack he landed at a club in transition to total disarray. From early in his career I can remember the club putting him up for post match radio interviews, a young well spoken kid having to front the media after another dismal on ground performance. Injury plagued his career as did a club with no real development in place to help a young kid hone his raw talent. Making him Captain capped it all off. Jack was a leader from a young age but unfortunately he wasn't allowed to develop his football, he had to front for a club in free fall. Would he have been a better player if he was at another club, well run with good leadership and senior players to learn from? that's the thing we will never know. What we do know is Jack never complained and just fronted up time and again, disappointment after disappointment. I don't know that I could have done what Jack did this year, he kept fronting up week after week giving his absolute best for Casey in the hope of getting promoted to the senior team. His papers seemed to be marked but shear weight of numbers got him a game mid season, one good game followed by a bad one and he was back at Casey. So thanks Jack, I hope you get another shot at it but if you don't I have no doubt you will be a success in whatever path you chose.

Dom has re-signed, thru til the end of 2019

Not withstanding being inhibited by all of the club's woes I reckon Grimes was also a victim of a changing game. Early in his career he was rock solid across half-back where he was strong overhead, read the play well and played within his limitations. One felt comfortable when he had the ball in hand and he was a reliable general. But as the game has evolved the back-line has become the generator for attack. Speed and bold ball-movement by foot and hand has become the backman's weapon. It doesn't suit Jack's slow and steady play. Jack was dependable and reliable but struggled to adapt to a more attacking game. As his comfort zone changed his foot skills and decision making were increasingly challenged and put under the microscope. It never suited his game. One of the few players I'll remember very fondly.

His performance in the Hawthorn match was dreadful and as a result he was dropped, he spent 3 games out of the side and when he returned, he had a 4 goal game and then his form went down again. I don't care if you had a talk to him or not, that may be a significant part of your life, talking to players but it doesn't concern me, or interest me. His form was poor and apart from you, I'd say everyone that watched him thought the same. I happen to like Jeffy and on fact he is one of my favourite players but that doesn't change the issue, he was terrible. My post was mainly tongue in cheek, but you seem to feel that you have to take up the defence of every player on the list, if they receive any criticism on here, take note they aren't your personal friends, they talk to you because you ask them questions. And I didn't at any stage say he conned the FD, they are your words, not mine.

He's the type we need, but maybe not the player we need.

slightly larger ramification

As for Motlop... Apart from Dangerwood and perhaps Caddy the Cats don't have an abundance of contested ball winners. Motlop is outside, but in a team full of contested ball winners (Tyson, Viney, Jones, Oliver, Vince, Brayshaw, Petracca) I reckon Motlop could be the icing that's missing. In 4 of the last 5 years he's kicked at least 26 goals. We only had 3 players kick over 26 this year and 2 last year. Only Hogan kicked more than Motlop in 2016. I'm not sure why some are quick to dismiss him. He may just fit better in our side than the current Cats' side.

This is happening.

He interests me. I know he's inconsistent, but he's the right age with 112 games under his belt. Can be an absolute match-winner on his day and kicked 44 goals one year and 38 this year. He's just the outside class we need.

Hunt - I like him off half-back and don't want to move him. I suspect he plays better behind the ball and I want him to develop into our Johannisen. Harmes - Needs to improve his footskills to ever be a damaging outside player. JKH - I quite like him, but the jury is well and truly out. You don't not draft a player because Kennedy-Harris is on your list. Salem - No outside speed. Salem will be a gun and has arguably the most class on the list, but I don't see a line-breaking outside role, which is what we need. Stretch - Billy boy is the closest thing we have to outside class and I like him, but his pace is good without being express. We can do with more outside class than just Stretch. Melksham - Should provide some of what we lack, but is still a little unknown after a year out.

Agreed. The club knows we have genuine talent already on the list and is once expecting to mainly build through the draft. We have an exciting group on a journey together within the same age bracket. Hibberd and Melksham will help the age profile. I think the list is in far better shape than some supporters envisage.

I remember 'Tangles' as a good Demon footballer, an excellent Aussie cricketer and a fun-loving speaker and author. Crammed a lot into a relatively short life, and gave a lot of sports lovers a lot of enjoyment along the way. I'm saddened to hear of his passing. RIP Maxy.

Surprised to see Jones go in the first pass. I thought he had a case for one more season, and probably would have played games next season, but I guess that's (rightly) not where the bar is set. No surprises with Grimes, but it still gives me a stab of grief now that it's official. A player who gave his all the MFC during the toughest of times. I hope the note he leaves on is not too sour and he can continue to be a Melbourne man after footy. Thanks to all three for their contributions.

I for one am happy to hear what Saty has garnered from talking directly to players. Not sure what some people's problems are with it all, it adds to our insight into what is going on down at the club. Much of the interest in this forum is about what people have heard from contacts close to the club, and of course we take it all with a grain of salt until verified by events.

To show how highly rated he is at Essendon, I have copied some bomber supporters comments. "This is the clubs biggest loss of 2016" "On a serious note the man has been a rock for a lot of the players young and old. Will be a massive loss and he'd be welcome back at any time I reckon". "I hope the club would welcome him back anytime, have really enjoyed his coachimg and in particular the way he speaks with the players. "Really impressive young coach, someone who got the boys to play for him. Polite, well mannered and best of all, has ability in the box". "Best of luck to Ego, you lifted us off the canvass in the VFL (post Skippy), this loss will hurt more than people will realise"

Bang. One of the best up and coming development coaches in the game. Keep em coming Goody and Macca. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/matthew-egan-set-to-join-melbourne-while-western-bulldogs-add-steve-grace/news-story/66c48573d9ef53b93f83229c41485337

Unlike all of you, I have some genuine intell on Tom Lamb. I'm just not ready to shear it yet.

I knew Max for fifty years and first met him when we started architecture together at RMIT. He was a great guy in all respects of his life. Let's hope that Daniel Andrews honours him with a State Funeral in the same way that Jeff Kennet honoured Teddy Whitten!

"You're not allowed in here Max" "I've got this big F&@8king Cricket Bat in my hand that says i am".... Had a few chats with Big Maxy when i worked at GTV9 in 1986 What a lovely guy with a huge smile. Too soon RIP

Whilst he'd be disappointed right now, he should also be very proud that he's played 100 AFL games for the club he grew up supporting and ultimately Captained. I really do hope he gets another opportunity elsewhere.

Yes, but obviously you don't seem to understand it. We traded picks to improve our draft position. We either did that or traded directly for players...I thought our strategy was pretty good.

Don't understand why he's not more highly rated. Treloar and Tyson are an interesting comparison - former rated as one of the best young mids in the competition, the latter a solid journeyman...underservedly so in my book.

I've got to admit I've got no idea how these people fill their days at work anyway. All I know is that it matters that our players are properly developed and we've added a highly rated younger resource; since Macca is still on board I'll just assume the new structure is an improvement on what we had and be happy.

When Jeff Garlett is missing from the side we rely on Ben Kennedy and Alex Neal Bullen as our next small forwards. both of them are just depth. Look at Neal Bullens rubbish performance as a small forward against Carlton to see why we need more classy half forwards. Motlop would be a massive upgrade on them. Find it so funny that some supporters on here are bagging him and don't want him as if to say we have enough of his talent when clearly we don't. We are screaming for players like him. For the right price we would be mad not to look at him. 100 plus games, 25 years old who's stats this year was 38 goals and 467 disposal as a midfield/half forward.

Get him. We need speed. All the other talk is just that. Who would want to be mates with any of the Geelong morons anyway.

I wasn't defending what I said, merely pointing out what was behind my comment. You ingratiate yourself on the players and then post on here as if the talks you have are those of close friends having a chat, this results in you thinking that any comment on a player seems to be an attack on your circle of friends. Let me be clear, I don't care what the contents of your conversations are and I don't particularly want to read your self opinionated ramblings, I think it's rather sad that you feel the need to do this. Also, I get sick of you trying to dominate every thread and turning it in to an argument. You just don't get it, do you?

If his price is a first rounder, it's not debatable, he is simply not worth a first rounder.

Bit heartbroken that Jack has been delisted. A Melbourne supporter his whole life, an ex club captain and a fantastic and selfless bloke - I want them all to do well, but I especially wanted Jack to do well. I remember when he first started how good he was and seemed like he'd already played 150 games. Certainly got held back by injuries, shambolic player development from the club and the fact that the game demands so much more from defenders now that it did when he started. Unfortunately life's not fair sometimes but hopefully Jack realises he has a special place in a lot of Melbourne supporters' hearts.

Wore the number 1 jumper. I remember him as a kid, when we used to go into the change rooms after a game. Of course, in those days, there weren't many wins to celebrate. He always had time for the kids and I still have his autograph. A boy from Tassie. State and Test cricketer, VFL footballer, qualified Architect, media personality, public speaker and prolific author. Just an all round great bloke. Sadly missed Requiescat in Pace Tangles.

It's just sad that such a promising start to his career has come to this end. Really hoping he gets another chance. He's still capable and his professionalism off the field can't be questioned. My admiration for him went up a notch this season. All the best Grimesy. Hold your head high mate.

100 games, Captain and life member of the club you grew up supporting giving everything you had, Grimes can leave with his head held high. Stuff of dreams for all of us.

Club website: "THE MELBOURNE Football Club has today advised Jack Grimes, Matt Jones and Dean Terlich that they will not be offered playing contracts for the 2017 season". Melbourne makes first list changes Really surprised at the loss of Matt Jones. All the best to all three players: they wore the red and blue with pride.

I did my membership renewal this morning and requested Dom on my card (obviously). Must be a good omen. Probably should've put Jesse on instead

Good news. Very underrated

a significant number of posters talk to and even have friendships with players, you're seemingly the only one that feels the need to mention it in every second post, On Jeffy, i feel in the back end of the year his work rate was dropping at times and that's why he was fading in and out of games, for a small forward a huge % of his shots on goal result from him getting goal side and using his speed to run into goal, that dropped off which suggests to me that given the inside 50's didn't, he probably didn't work hard enough and get into dangerous enough positions.

Why would they do it young Millera will be a better player long term because he possesses an appetite for hard work. On top of that Betts and Cameron are their current small forwards. The Crows are aware they need midfield depth and they would also be aware Motlop is not the player they need

Some good stuff in this article and in the comments attached. Apparently Max was the only person to play Test cricket and get a Brownlow vote.......... (a trivia question that will likely live forever) https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/28/max-walker-former-australian-cricketer-dies-aged-68

I know those highlights packages can be deceiving but he did not look very good at all, one game in two years for West Coast isn't great either.

Very sad news. Met Max a few times and he was a fantastic guy and always ready to have a laugh. Sent me a copy of one of his books, which I didn't have and refused payment. RIP. Max, a lovely guy and will be sorely missed by family and friends.

A very talented sportsman, playing cricket and Aussie rules at the highest level. Was only listening to the original 'Twelfth Man' a week or two ago. RICHIE: Security, if Max Walker comes within 10 feet of this f*cking door shoot him ok?SECURITY: Yes Mr Benaud. RIP

Only one good player in the Cats lot, didn't get them to a GF and now they have to make the hard call and go for a mini rebuild. House of cards built on an old list. ...and the Hawks. O'Meara, who knows if he will come up, Mitchell not good enough to cover for his namesake when the inevitable comes. Vickery??? what a great catch he will be.

Yep, we did nothing last year. Just picked up a couple of crumbs like Oliver and Weideman.

If you think about players who bleed red and blue and get everything out of themselves through hard work and commitment, Jack is a perfect example, Captain at 21 because of the example he set. I truely hope he gets another crack at AFL level and i think he will, i'll always remember in 2012 just after we were beaten by Essendon by 150 points or whatever it was, i went along to an open training and every Melbourne player looked flat as a tack besides Grimes and he was so vocal and so passionate and just firing everyone up all the best for the future Jack! you'll be missed

The possibility exists that the club might have quietly secured an agreement with a free agent and, knowing that it would therefore not be entitled to compensation anyway as a result, cut ties immediately to give Grimes the best opportunity to find a new home.

Dems was in them days when it was two umpires and they both gived the votes. Nowadays the umps are locked in a room after the match and are not allowed out until one prevails in a greco roman wrestling match. That winner then decides on which midfielders will receive the Brownlow votes.

Don't think that necessarily applies to GWS. They still have players not getting a game, who clearly would at other clubs.

Yep it's starting to get silly, back to the very serious stuff.

He shanks most of his kicks.

After today's news I thought I would update rfpc's table so people can keep track of the overall list: The announcements today were: Jack Grimes, Matt Jones, Dean Terlich would not be offered a contract. I guess it was predictable but still sad to see loyal Demons go.

Just got home, and the membership renewal was in the mail. under the custom card player - Jesse hogan. if that's not proof, I don't know what is!