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I just spoke with the club and these are the facts. “Russell Robertson will continue in his role as the face of the Melbourne Football Club. He will continue to be our match-day host and the host of other supporter functions and events. His role has simply transitioned from a full-time position to a contractor. This change was made some weeks ago and is no way connected to today’s announcement.”

With all of the supposed high end young talent on the list, we have finally arrived at the point of topping up with the finishing touches to have a dip at a flag. Developing another batch of 18yr olds probably wont get us into a grand final in the next 2 or 3 years, whereas adding 2 or 3 very high end talents in areas of weakness just may do that. We were always going to end up having a dip, and sell the longer term future for a solid crack at the now. I'm comfortable with paying a reasonable price if it means a flag. We would all quickly forget the price while enjoying a month long bender following that flag win. If our young blokes develop the way we hope, the time to go after the best is now.

A 21 year old all Australian quality intercept defender who is already regarded as a future AFL captain and likely to be a premiership player and has turned in strong performances already in big games and finals. God "the one" must be a handy player if he tops lever

Have you ever heard of a bloke named Kent and a little sweetener known as JKH?

After a quick read through it seems an old favourite (with a new name) has jumped up with the latest plausible information claiming it to be a scoop and from inside information. Hmmmmmmmm Now let me see, we've had the inside running on Lever for a while now & a reliable poster has confirmed that. So lets make that a scoop, use a later media story for reference on the time line. Gaff's name has been thrown around a bit so lets take a punt on that and if it doesn't come through we can always use the Eagles wouldn't release him from his contract That should do the trick. Mention a 3rd player, don't know the name despite the inside word. This is a no lose, we are certain to trade someone in so whoever it is can be the unknown 3rd man. ...and if all fails, it's just gossip.

Meters Gained Stats: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_rankings?year=2017&rt=LT&st=MG 14. Hibberd - 10,017 20. Hunt - 9,591 70. Saad - 6,986 84. Jones - 6,794 89. Tyson - 6,653

Part of the Lever trade?

That is insane. Anyone with even half a brain would take Blicavs last of those three.

4 years of Buddy, 5 years of Tippett for 0 premierships?

Spoke to an ex Dee last Friday night who informed me on this. He said that Robbo has a lot of other gigs outside of the MFC and he was adjusting his focus. He is happy with this arrangement

No worries Russell, will do.

His last five weeks were superb He was unlucky with the suspension; you've seen harder hits cop zip in 2017; he got stung by the MRP chook lotto His legs aren't as strong as they used to be - he goes to ground far too easily these days in the contest - but he is so calm and clearly a leader

I know for a fact that we don't think like that, as the List Managers know very well that what goes round comes round. The mantra is generally be fair in dealing, though of course at the same time trying to get the best deal, but the key word is "fair". The clubs that constantly try to screw other clubs are well known. I think this deal may get done early in trade week, thereby allowing the Crows to deal for Gibbs and others.

He's on his way and the dollars are totally in line with what he deserves Picks 10 and 27 are off to Adelaide

If Waldron was in charge of our club, we wouldn't need to free up room. He'd just cook the books.

Diver, diver.. diver. He is embarrassing. Such a gun but such a [censored] weak diver. He literally threw himself on the ground while holding Rampe arm?!

careful now...not seriously suggesting there's two sides to a story now ?? There's a lot about this we don't really know. A lot of rumours/fb-facts as they were etc. Puppies coming a little undone at the seams. Same could be said for Rockliff and Bears...but Tommy isn't quite so out of favour ?? About all we can surmise is he ( JS) is most definitely out of favour at the Western Oval. He'll go for a song ( relatively ) ..a good song but certainly no-one likely to pay overs for a cast-out. As others suggest we have folk on-board who ought to know this bloke to a point. If the club want to look at him, all fine by me ( probably a great relief to the footy dept that!! lol ) Anyone who's been within an elbow of a footy club will tell you they ALL have stories, they all have their little dramas playing out. Hell some clubs have been known to have cliques !! True !!! Stringer's certainly plssed off a few woofers. Is he any good at sport...you know...like...oh...umm...Footy perhaps ?? just wondering

Is this true? I might be biased but Russell brings a lot more energy to our home matches than some of the vanilla match day hosts of other clubs.

I'm not. Not a chance in hell we are interested. Roos, Goody and PJ are all about building the right culture. As if we want a player who has threatened the culture of a premiership winning side. Maybe a club like the Swans or hawks whose culture is long established and rock solid might consider taking the risk (or some boneheaded club who is desperate) but not a club like us whose culture in the formative stage.

The club has announced some staff changes. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-15/jackson-promotes-from-within-club The existing role is now split into Marketing (directed at new stakeholders) and Communications (directed at existing stakeholders). The latter involves the promotion of 'Ryan Larkin to general manager of stakeholder relationships and communications'. “Ryan Larkin has built outstanding relationships in the media and across the club’s key stakeholders in his time at the club. I know this elevation will help to further grow the club’s ability to provide the very best coverage and communications for our club and supporters, along with nurturing the key relationships that are critical for our club’s success.” Ryan was heavily involved in responding to the post rnd 23 backlash to the club so I doubt we will have that communication fiasco again. I applaud PJ in recognising the importance of communication with supporters with a specific general manager position.

He kicks a dinky kick, he kicks a motsa kick He kicks a larger kick, he kicks a decider kick He sings a song that reminds him of the good times He sings a song that might bring him the best of times (Oh Clarry Boy, Clarry Boy, Clarry Boy) He gets knocked down, but he gets up again You are never gonna keep him down He gets knocked down, but he gets up again You are never gonna keep him down ……..

Petracca was on Triple mmm yesterday. Some footy items: His Exit meeting: To bring his 2017 disappointment and hunger for next year into pre season and is expected to play more in the midfield next year. Weight not an issue. Endurance and consistent running need to improve for more midfield. Will tag along with Oliver to improve after being asked who he will follow around to get his conditioning right. I reckon that is a good choice given how Oliver's professionalism and preparation have received great praise from the coahces. Mentioned Jones, Viney and Oliver have been invited to the Brownlow. Love that Oliver is invited. On a lighter note: Will be a barrista at Lavazza marquee @ Melbourne Cup. Off to Byron with some mates - get out of Melb for the GF. Then off to the US with Harmes and Tyson and someone else (non football but seemingly well known). Then to the Maldives with his girlfriend. A very engaging young man.

If Melbourne is interested in a player from Geelong, my inkling tells me Mark Blicavs. Blicavs can play midfield/ruck. 198cm and 100kg. Very good runner and tackles. Big body and difficult match up at centre bounces/clearances. V.Good player and is exactly the type of player we need... With Stringer and Ablett wanting to go to Geelong I am confident this could be on the cards. Geelong need to land draft picks to make this happen. 3-way trade. Blicavs and Pick 33 to the Dees, Watts and Pick 20 to the Dogs, Stringer and Pick 27 to the Cats. I can see the Dees landing Lever, Blicavs and Gaff. That would be the best trade week ever...

Prefer Paul Wheatley to teach them. Effectively negates the need for inside 50's. He just got BOG for Nth Ringwood winning their 3rd vets grand final in a row for good measure.

Was expecting a closer game tonight Other than the Port v WCE game last week the finals have been a bit of a yawn fest

Stagerfield.

Too many speckies on PJ's back in the boardroom?

He may well be happier with this situation. Robbo does a lot of stuff outside the MFC He is still involved with the MFC

Not biased at all, absolutely true. I cringe at some of the pre-game and interval entertainment during away games.

We can agree to disagree. Convenient I left out the clear fact we are no push over these days at the trade table when the player commits to us and we dont negotiate via the media unlike what the Dogs have done - but then again they have little choice. Its all just part of the circus.

That dream is long in the past. He will be 27 at the start of next season... hes never looked like being a consistent matchwinner, not even close. His 2016 season was solid, but overrated. It just looked really good as he has been terrible for so long. Trade him.

If by "fair" you mean he didn't do his favourite trick of holding up other deals by dragging them out all the way through trade week. I thought the general opinion here at the time was that we'd given overs for both, especially Melksham, though I suppose we had to go with the picks we had.

It is already in place.

I'd be extremely surprised if the club would consider trading Salem.

Looking at you Adrian Dodododododo

We missed a golden chance. His cool head (or even a loose punch) would have been worth 5 goals in a final. Lets hope he can pass in on to the kids next year before he leaves the game.

Yes, rjay, spot on and I suspected this the first time I saw the post. But the reality is a lot like the facade and would prefer to believe it regardless of the veracity. As you say the process is the same as it the language. I'd bet a fair bit it's one and the same. And why a new name? Because after the Hogan fiasco GNF has no cred. People with the sort of information JG says he has don't splash it around the internet because if they do it is quickly picked up and they no longer get the information.

If he has nominated to come to us then the cows negotiations are some what limited as he is ooc. If the deal can't be done then he goes into the preseason draft and we get him there like Ball did. I really hope we stick to our guns on this cause we also need to find outside runners and maybe need to negotiate trades there. Cows can gf.

I know its been said before, but it defies logic that waldron still has a media gig after what he did at the storm. The only thing more baffling would be wayne carey having a regular tv commentary spot...

There are 3 players from other clubs we want, for 2 of them their names are being painted on their lockers as we speak.

No you are right, I reckon Flash was the first ever in the league to consistently provide forward pressure.

Good players aren't pushed out of clubs unless there is a good reason. Bevo of all Coaches, is the protector of his men, yet he has clearly lost it with Jake. If you read some of the comments of his team mates, they have as well. He is obviously a big problem. We don't need more big problems.

Jack was a champion under age midfielder for Sth Australia. He was picked behind Tom Scully but it was a toss of the coin. Jack was not quick but was very skilful, tough, smart, a natural leader and of high character. His first 4 years showed his talent. 79 games included half as skipper. Appointed skipper for 2012 with Jack Grimes. Bizarre from Neeld and ahead of time but Jack embraced the challenge. Tragically Jacks career stalled in 2014 with the navicular bone in his foot and the pain and impact being too much. With medical assistance and his strong will, Jack got back in 2016 but lacked even more pace as needed in the AFL. He is too good for the VFL but not quite AFL intense any more. Jack was well spoken. Always willing to talk about footy. He has been great with my 4 kids. He always smiled and happy to get those photos taken. As the Dees have Lewis,Vince, Tyson taking his role type, the delisting was not surprising. I hope he finds a spot elsewhere in another team or returns to SA to perhaps captain Sturt. From all on Demonland and all MFC supporters & members, thank you and good luck Jack.

Aaaaaaand cue GNF!

He would have zero trade value. We seriously overestimate the value of our own players.

Hey wait. How come you get to say [censored] and we can't?

Maybe a new demonlander's inside source is just a demonlander he overheard in a pub who claimed to have an inside source from inside the club but was only reading demonland

Billy bounces because he runs in circles, can't make a good decision & can't kick.

Only have info on Lever and Gaff who both should be coming. There is a 3rd player of strong interest but I honestly don't know who it is. I know Demons have been talking to Geelong, not sure if Demons player going or Cats player coming

Willing to bet that dear old Granny turns out to be completely full of it. Seen this movie a dozen times before. Makes up enough detail on the rumours to just sound plausible, when the inevitable gets done but not exactly as described, it's ooh, we/they gave in and agreed in the end to get the deal done. It's directly out of the GNF playbook. Time will tell though.