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Hate the habit of bagging our players, particularly those who have given their all and are simply moving on because of the way modern sport has to be. Tom has been a great servant for us if he needs to move on to get a list spot, good luck to him.

Dees weigh in.

I love trade time. I imagine Mahoney walking in to the Telstra Dome, calling a bunch of the over managers into a room together and announcing: "A bit of a long one but bear with me here everyone..."

If he’s still got his pace then I wouldn’t worry about the three years part. We need to strike now while Gawn is still capable and before the likes of Oliver and Petracca looks for success elsewhere (for those saying we should focus on youth).

Very recently (very) heard that Tom Mc has been told he will be elsewhere in 2021. They must have someone in the wings.

The PC brigade? Do you mean people who don't like baseless rumours? Like your whole "we're paying Viney more than Geelong offered him" one?

The ''good'' teams today are ordinary when compared to those of the dominant past, but that's to be expected with equalisation measures that have impacted the competition more and more as times gone on. Melbourne have arguably 4 of the best 20-25 players in the competition. It's a tremendous building block. But we need better role players. The top 12 in our B&F were head and shoulders better than those who placed after. Too much was left to too few. And Goodwin needs tactical support. That said, the core ingredients for a top 4 team are well and truly in place. And that's where flags are won from. You're not convinced ? I'm shattered.

This is where you're going wrong. At the end of 2018 Port finished 10th. At the end of 2019 Port finished 10th again. This year they finished 1st at the end of H&A. I dare say you wouldn't have envisaged them winning the flag this year. AND they may not, but clearly they're right in the thick of it. Or Brisbane who were out of the 8 a couple of years ago and bottom 4 very recently. Things can change very quickly, especially when there are very few great teams. Who'd have thought the ageing Cats when they trudged off the MCG in 2018 after a loss to Melbourne would be in another prelim. I thought they were old and cooked two years ago, but here they are. To suggest a team with AA quality players in Gawn (2nd best ruck in the comp), Oliver (best young inside mid), Petracca (AA), and May (top 3 key defender), plus some quality support cast, can't win a flag in the next two years in a competition with barely a standout team is folly and the view of a myopic thinker. It won't take much to turn this team into a top 4 contender.

Ironically one of the many things T Mac cannot do *apologies for the cheesy pun

Huge news for us and a massive win!

I know this is off topic but the Fox Footy article has a mention of something that makes me roll my eyes every time. They claim this great victory that Howe was turned from forward into defender. When he left us he was playing in the exact role he's doing at the Pies but when he left they said, "you are a forward and we will play you there". Sure enough he goes to the forward line and is useless, they switch him to defence and say, "jeez Bucks is a genius moving Howe to defence!" Anyway, mini rant over. With Tom there was be a hint of sadness about him leaving, he was pivotal to our 2018 Finals run and provided one of my favourite moments in recent Dees history with his winning goal agains the Eagles in 2017. I confess I was actually a little happy when I heard a few weeks ago that the word was he was staying and setting himself to get leaner and closer to his 2018 body shape (apparently he bulked up to match the gorilla style defender and improve his contested marking). But it does also seem like there's a fracture in the relationship between club and player, he's been taken over by Wied and LJ, and in the games he's played he has shown little to give us confidence of a return to form. It could well be that a change of club could be a good thing for him, and moving him on will free up our salary cap. It's sad, but I hope whatever happens (stays or goes) the Dees fans treat him with the respect he's earned over his years with us. Certainly the garbage that has been said about Oscar would understandably make him want to get out of here.

Gold! "Mr Dobson (Hogan's lawyer) also said Hogan had been in lockdown for months and in that time had not been with a woman, prompting Magistrate Adam Hills-Wright to ask "he couldn't wait 13 extra days?""

With respect you can get stuffed. It’s our history for good or ill and I’m proud of it. You should head off down to Tassie and support your new team down there. Off with you.

I'm sorry - but we're not North Melbourne. Our window is actually right now. We were in the conversation for a potential top 4 spot prior to the opening round. We've just under-performed over the last 2 years.

Wingmen rely on a strong contested ball and clearance midfield mix so Hawthorn's decline as a side over the years has obviously made life harder for Smith. Smith's output would be immediately boosted if he came to us given our strength in winning it at the coal face.

Langdon 700k? No way Freo settle for only a 2nd rounder for someone rumoured to be on 700k. Can’t be right.

Another no-brainer. Played his first AFL game at 22, comes from a successful club and fills a need for us. For the posters who are against this, I’d like to know what their realistic answer is for our ‘wing’ issue?

I'm torn on this one. I want Essendon to get nothing and I want Carlton to pay through the nose.

Question. I'm confused by this notion that clubs would be scared off by his salary. A club brings him in and they would negotiate a new contract, right? Maybe we pay a portion to satisfy all parties as best as possible - but failing that he stays at Melbourne as an outsider and doesn't get a game. I know this isn't ideal for us - but if he's grumpy and wants out he can take a pay-cut. Like employment decisions normal people have to make.

I’d say it’s partly because the Ben Brown deal Is most likely happening.

Pies have asked the question of Tmac. really interested to see what we do there. It makes sense with the potential signing of Ben Brown, that we'd move Tommy on, would be a good result if we could get someone lIke Phillips in return and really boost our midfield.

Ahhhh the old load up a bunch of nothing and come out with a top 10 pick trade. Not going to happen in a million years.

Absolute no brainer. We need players who can assist us to win games right now. We made a prelim in 2018, and our core has only matured since then. We haven't got an indefinite window to make, and then win, finals. If we don't win a flag with this crop (or, at least, consistently come very close over the next few years), we're just inept. We've had 2 years of vapid under-performance since 2018 - yet we've got 4 players who were right in the mix for AA contention this year: Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, May. I'm sure several other coaches would love to have this list. Surely we must be aiming for top 4 next year. Smith, if used properly, will only assist in achieving this. He's a consistent, proven performer, who'll only make us better. In fact, I can't believe there's any debate about this to be honest. We'll be lucky to prise him out of the Hawks, but I'll be stoked if we do.

Charlie Cameron’s first year at crows, 7 goals, pickett’s first year at MFC 7goals.

To be honest, I would just love to ruffle my hands through his fuzzy hair if given half a chance. Indeed, with further restrictions likely into next year I think clubs need to get creative in what they can offer their membership-base. Given the chance to play with Ben's hair and I'd probably buy a membership for both me and my Jack Russell. His name is Jack. It was meant to be a pun but it's not very creative. Still, you should see him with a scarf on. Squee.

Langdon is NOT on $700k. That’s fiction. I believe he’s got a five year contract worth around $2.4M. And based on incentives for games played etc etc.

I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed in you.

Don’t forget about Viney doing a poo instead of singing the team song after beating St Kilda.

Please no!

Right. Let's break it down mate: We need a mature winger. We don't have much to trade. We don't have much cap space. With the soft cap being reduced we also need more experience in vulnerable positions. Isaac Smith is a mature winger, will cost us nothing in trade, will not be on a big contract, can provide onfield leadership. Plus, he'll also be valuable for players Baker, Rivers, Jordon, ANB, vandenBerg, Salem & Hannan, all of whom we've either tried on a wing or could, in showing them what it requires. You can't keep this rolling cycle of going to the draft over and over going and then wonder why you 1) Never really improve because the young players don't have quality mature players to learn from, and 2) Put up inconsistent performances because you're a young list that lacks the leadership and mature bodies to deliver every week. And seriously, your comment "smith is just looking for an extra pay day he doesn't care for premierships" is absolute rubbish. Draftees alone aren't going to change our fortunes. I would honestly question how long you've been a Melbourne supporter if you haven't already learned that the hard way.

Cannot give him 3, it would be madness.

Hassa is my uncle. Hard to believe he is 80. The guy is as fit as they come. He’d probably run rings around me 30 years his junior. Whatever his reasons for going to WA, he is Melbourne through and through. He loves the club as much as any football tragic. Happy birthday uncle Hass

If we can't get Brown then I would go for Hogan.

A fellow long time Demon supporter told me Hassa turned 80 on Wednesday. What a great player he was! Premiership player, club captain, state representative, member of The Galahs and MFC team of the century. Then, later in his career, after success as a playing coach in the West he returned to the club in administration. As an aside, why did our players go to WA? Big Bob Johnson and dashing half back also left us with plenty of games left in them, as did Hassa. Were we so arrogant in those days we'd say "we don't need you, we'll win without you?" Does anyone remember Hassa's goal from the boundary at Glenferrie Oval to put Hawthorn out of the 4? A Hawthorn mate still claims it was a point! Many happy returns Hassa!

In case you didn't see my post on the other TMac thread. About five weeks ago, I made a post saying the Pies might be into Tom. I had heard this. The fact that there is still interest from them, suggests that the interest may be legit. I'm pretty sure they also mentioned him playing down back.

Always liked him and felt he was undervalued by our club and supporters at times. Wish him well

Unless you're up the creek without a paddle, you should always be recruiting to play finals.

If Brown’s motivation in choosing his next club is footy related then no way he chooses Essendon. It’s a sinking ship over there. If he does choose the bombers it’ll be for the money in which case we’re probably better off without him.

Were Hawthorn supporters crying after they recruited a 31yo Brian Lake and then he played in 3 consecutive flags?

100% agree Ron. We have to go now, we cant waste more years while we have a-grade talent in their prime. Top up, get what we need, spend the money, lets play finals every year.

i wouldn't be using the AA team as a basis for determining the best players. The best midfielders perhaps. May is one of the top 3 defenders. Gawn is no.2 ruck. Only dusty tops Trac. Oliver is an AA already (but and can improve with proper coaching). I'll even throw Langdon into the conversation as one of the best wingmen in the comp. I think he's underrated when you compare to someone like Brad Hill at the saints. We're got good youngsters coming through as well. I think we have a great foundation. Better coaching and a KPF and wingman added and we're in with a great shout of Top 4 next year.

This is surely a joke right..... A great player in his heyday, but go with a 1 year or just move on. The risk factor is high & we are no where near a premiership window. Go with youth.

I briefly met your Uncle Hassa at the Bentleigh club when the premiership players had their 50th anniversary celebration. He stayed till every one who wanted a chat and an autograph had seen him. I thought he was delightful and nothing like the 74 year old he would have been at the time. I look forward to listening the whole sen interview.

Trading Ben Brown is the least of his worries. Unlikely to coach again

We are a poorly performing outfit. Forward and midfield coaching is sub-par. Game day coaching and game plan not up to scratch. Players are not delivering in particular our much vaunted midfield unit. We are not getting the best from our midfielders. Pure and simple. Coaches and players are equally responsible imv. Clayton is hugely talented but he is not blameless. His body language has been poor at times, he’s over hand balled and his kicking has let him down. And yes, I think he has been selfish. I don’t for a second think he’ll go to Carlton this year but he might go next. He seems like the type of character who wants success and might leave if he feels it won’t happen at MFC. I have zero intel on this just my opinion. Plus we live in the age of free agency. Players will test the market. There is plenty for Clayton to work over the off season. With another solid pre-season and some proper coaching I think he can be a star of the comp. But he needs to knuckle down. The best way of course to scotch these types of rumours is to become successful. It’s about time this club got its act together, got some elite coaching talent into the club and finally deliver on promises. I’m sick to death of spending every off season listening to platitudes from the club about what they are going to do. I want to spend an off season praising them for what they did for a change. Over to you Pert.

Very dangerous game trading away our only genuine back-up ruckman. We hold the card here so I hope we demand a lot for him because he has currency.

2 years with a trigger for a 3rd on minor money. And there are some complaining about it. Yep, let's keep going with ANB and Vanders on the wing instead.

If they are fair dinkum, the new comp will have 18 teams. One aligned/ representing each of the 14 AFL teams in Qld, NSW and Vic, and 4 non alligned teams. The second tier comp can then mirror the AFL fixture, with games played in the same state as the competing AFL clubs (except for those trips to Perth and Adelaide) on the day after the corresponding AFL match, so that the emergencies can all get game time. The AFL should fund the player salaries of the 4 stand alone teams sufficiently so that it can be concentrated with the next best players and best kids who missed the draft (instead of these players spreading over diluted minor leagues). It will act as a pool for development and recruitment of mature aged players either at mid season or end of season drafts. But they won't. It will be a [censored] storm of byes, early games, weak stand alone teams etc.