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Come on down Magpies ~

I think we can all breathe collective sigh of relief that Nev won't be joining the filth. That would have truly hurt seeing him in a Collingwood jumper.

Compare this to the way that MFC do business these days and we can be incredibly proud that, in these days of Trumpism and bad character, we treat people in the right way and are good to do business with. It counts for an awful lot, in the end, to look after your people properly.

Weird that they ranked us equal 3rd at 8/10 with Carlton and Geelong yet somehow manage to list us 6th rather than 4th (it isn't even alphabetical). Other weird rankings: GWS ranked 16th but got pick 11 for Williams (DFA), 2 extra 1st round picks for Cameron and better picks for Caldwell by standing their ground. Yet Geelong ranked 4th for giving up 3 first round picks (less some back) for a player they should have got free. Underestimated their op strategically. Lions ranked 7th yet added Daniher, Cockatoo and upgraded its 2021 picks: an extra 1st and an extra 2nd. Their rankings seem based mostly on players in and out. Rather shallow 'analysis' not giving due weight to picks in and out. A lot of finesse is required to maximise draft positions in 2020/2021 as Mahoney has shown.

What, like posting on a footy forum?

Yes, it's not exactly a ringing endorsement of the human race...

Today I noticed that my teapot was a bit close to the edge of the kitchen bench and just had to stop for a cry because it might one day topple over and hit a future child of mine as it falls.

Short answer is yes. Be thankful we are Melbourne and not Collingwood. The club didn't bust any relations with its players in offering them up for trade (at least from the outside) - T Mac himself and his manager were very complimentary of the club and their honest approach about discussing the opportunities that would be available for him next year - I imagine it was the same as with other players as well. I haven't seen one piece of negative social media with how the club dealt with guys like Preuss and Hannan moving on. Meanwhile down at the Carringbush...

It's almost like Collingwood became disorientated, walked out the wrong door and found themselves in the street.

I jumped on to see what the latest rumours were. Do you kids ever give it a rest.

If the lame stream fake AFL hadn't included all the illegal trades, we would have won. Big!

I listened to the callers on the radio and 99% of them were ready to burn whoever was responsible for the culling of the players at the stake. One was going to ring the club and demand to speak to Eddie and cancel 8 memberships. I also heard the interview with Stephenson. He sounded quite disheartened about how he was unwanted by Collingwood but looking forward to starting afresh. I was shocked to hear he had to ring Buckley himself to find out what was their position on trading him was after rumours reached him. He was told bluntly to put himself out for trade and he wasn't open enough about himself to the team. It sounded like this hurt him the most because he explained he really struggled being in the hub away from his family. He is close to his family and friends and enjoys unwinding with them away from footy as a way to relax. What he was told sounds like a poor excuse. Could have just told him, look you had a bad year and we can't afford to wait for you to get better next year. P.S. Yes, there was one woman who swore blind allegiance to Bucks and Eddie and whatever they did was the best choice ever!! LOL.

Just an interesting little aside from TMac’s manager Alex McDonald tonight, who said Tom had already lost 4kg in an attempt to regain his mobility and power running ability

Just watched the Ben Brown highlights on the official website. Fair dinkum, we have just landed an absolute belter here. Possibly better than Jeremy Cameron. I was a huge fan of the Steven May trade, but this could be even better. We’re top 4 next year. No excuses. I’m in a good mood right now.

Hmmm, maybe not. Mahoney was talking about their intention to have those picks because of the lack of exposed form making it harder to assess a lot of the talent, especially Victorian talent. As such the hit rate on earlier picks should be lower and there should be more of that talent seep through to the second round. Basically it's saying that early picks are overrated this year (compared with 'normal' years) because there is less certainty surrounding the selections, but picks in the 20s will be somewhat underrated because the lack of exposed form means that differentiating between that top group of players will be more difficult. I expect that this draft will see some terrible (in hindsight) draft selections but also some absolute bargains.

If you give Mahoney a paperclip he'll end up trading it for a house.

Just interviewed on SEN, the word learning was mentioned he’s going to fit right in at Melbourne.

I'd like all those posters that denigrate Josh Mahoney, to take note that this man knows what he's doing.

AF time to take a deep breath and go for a walk.

Found on Bigfooty

this place would be meltdown if we paid 3 first round picks for anyone ! It was well played by GWS. glad to see it happen

That highlight reel on the club’s website is unreal. I’ve seen Benny play on many occasions but I didn’t realise how crafty he can be around the goals. As the man himself said in his first interview with us, he is not one dimensional. While taking marks on the lead is one of his main strengths, he is also dangerous at ground level and has an inane goal sense. If he can get back to his brilliant best, which I can’t see any reason why he can’t, then we have got ourselves a genuine star here. Can’t wait to see him don the red and blue in 2021.

I’ve been checking in mate, but haven’t had the enthusiasm for footy that I usually do. And avoid checking in when we lose which there’s been plenty of. Not enough for Baker to be a walk up start you’re right, but I think there’s a player in there. Got the skills and pace, add a tank and we’re good to go. Worst case scenario Langdon plays both wings. He’s everywhere anyway.

There’s way too much sunshine and lollipops going on around here about TMac. He’s being paid like a guy who should be in our top 5 players, and he’s currently not in the best 22. That money is poorly spent. Purely from a business perspective he should be gone, and the fact that he isn’t tells you the rest of the industry agrees he’s massively over valued.

What did we end up getting for Oliver?

I've heard rumours they're trying to package up picks 14 & 16 for pick 15, can anyone confirm?

From a Collingwood supporter: ''I'd rather have a beer with Dom Sheed and watch the 2018 GF then have a beer with Ned Guy''

Petitions, board spills, incompetent, fugly, cancelling 3 x family memberships, Ned Guy, disgraceful, resistance, Eddie and Trump is a spot on comparison, cancelling Foxtel ...

Players Traded Out: Hannan, Preuss Players Traded In: Brown Draft picks: 2020: '@ Start: 23, 47, 62, 63, 89 '@ End: 18, 19, 28, 50, 89 2021: '@ Start: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th '@ End: 2nd (Tied to Brisbane), 3rd (Tied to WBD), 4th (Tied to North). I wouldn't be surprised to see the WBD slide and North to not improve much so these two picks might be an upgrade on what would have been our 'natural' 2021 picks. Overall Position: Covered a tall fwd need. Improved list by trading two 'depth' players Dramatically improved 2020 draft position. Only gave up 2021 1st rnd pick. Upgraded later 2021 picks I would rate that A++. Its good to be on the plus side of the ledger on individual trades and pick swaps. Shows that having a reputation for getting deals done pays off. Getting in early for Lions pick 18 and 19 stops other teams doing same altho GWS have a fistful of 1st round picks: 10, 13, 15, 20. And Ess have: 6, 7, 8. So plenty of scope for more deals to be done. I'm guessing we will take only 1 or 2 picks to the draft so more pick swaps to come. Would be surprised if we don't use pick #89 to upgrade Lockhart to the seniors list. Wouldn't mind swapping picks 28 and 50 for more future picks. Collingwood's 2021 1st perhaps?

I’d say most of us here are laughing at the immeasurably stupid and arrogant position they have put themselves in as well as the way they have handled it. Comparing back to Melbourne I will say that I’m now extremely happy that we still have Nev and Jones on our list because they are senior players that have the love and respect of their teammates. I would hope that Clarry and Trac would see how we have dealt with them with respect and say to themselves, “this is a club I want to be at”. Clearly that’s not everything but respect goes a long way in relationships. EDIT also even though we would probably have preferred to send TMac elsewhere we didn’t play anything out in the media.

@A FSit back, relax and take comfort in the knowledge that things WILL get worse.

As with anything, you could make an argument about any of those sides and why they could drop out: Port Adelaide - Their best players are now all over 30 (Gray and Boak will be 33 during the season, Rockliff, Dixon, Jonas and Hartlett are over 30), so while they've got some of the best kids going around, it wouldn't take much for their veterans to drop off. Brisbane Lions - They've had a really good run for the last 2 years, and were blessed with a massive home ground advantage this year, what happens when they go on the road again, and how much time will Daniher and Cockatoo waste of the medical team. Injuries will happen at some stage. Richmond - Complacency during the season would be the biggest issue, Dusty is deliberately about 10x the player when it comes to finals, but if the whole team played like that they could struggle (they are the least likely to drop out) Geelong Cats - Age, they've sold the farm to try and get Danger a flag, but they've got 10 key players who'll be 30 or turning 30 during the season, eventually the game can make everyone look old. West Coast Eagles - They get a huge home ground advantage, but looked very suspect away from WA, so a few off games could hurt them badly. St Kilda - There team is build using others development, I can't recall a team doing much damage that has been trade for as compared to built, so the team harmony and connection might not be as strong as other teams. Western Bulldogs - they probably have the best midfield in the comp, but the forward line will rely on a 21 year old coming off injuries and a pretty ordinary year, while their backline is pretty weak too. Collingwood - they just [censored] the bed at the trade table, and while hold some class, most of that is older (outside of Moore and Adams) and the forward line struggles to kick a score. Conversely the question needs to be, well there's reasons why teams will drop out - why will the Dees come in? My answer is that our core group of players, Max, Trac, Oliver, Viney, Gus, Harmes, Lever, Salem, Langdon, Lever, May and BBB have all played between 85 and 150 games, so should be entering their prime, 7 of them have played all their games together and outside of Max, May (both 29) and BBB (28) all will enter next season aged under 27. Add in a few veterans and role players (Hibberd, Melksham, AVB, Jetta, TMac, Tomlinson, ANB, Hunt etc.) plus the youth of Weid, Baker, Petty, Spargo, Kossie, LJ and Rivers and we've got a nice balanced list that should play finals.

Exactly RJay. Their Board would have signed off on all the big contarcts - Treloer, Grundy etc. But Buckley's laying the blame on the senior players re: Treloar and '.. Im just passing on the feedback..." type comments, along with ignoring Stephenson is a disgrace and will be an ongoing blight on his reputation. Leader? - you're joking. Stephenson was likely troubled in his gambling year big time, media pile on etc, and then a maojr illness pre-season. What did they think was going to happen to the kid. He's only 21 for gawds sake. Message: Don't own up to mental illness or fraility at the Pies - your on your own.

I don't believe it is Buckley's problem. Other people would have been telling him we are sweet with salary cap then he gets told $2 million has to go! Add I reckon everyone in the pies camp was told no comment anyone including players concerned or you lose your job. I don't think he created the problem. Those that did have the explaining to do.

So essentially when you cancel out the similar or non-relevant picks that have been traded in or out, we’ve ended up with; IN: B Brown, Pick 18, Pick 19 OUT: Preuss, Hannan, 2021 first round pick Sounds pretty damn good to me.

I'm not doubting their quality, and their potential to be premiers, but rating their trade period so highly when they paid 3 first rounders for Cameron and have nix left for the draft makes no sense. The fact we procured a forward with similar, if not better, career stats for essentially pick 36 (once all points are added) doesnt make 3 first rounders look that good anymore. They' re all in, and it may work, it may not. I definitely rate our Trade Period above theirs.

Very good points. The comparisons with Collingwood and Essendon (at least, what we must assume from the scale of their departures) bodes well for future team happiness and cohesion as well as the aim of being attractive to other players wishing to join us.

You need to think things through a little more Nev. You are dismissive in saying it is "not your problem" , yet it was your choice to lay an unnecessary and unsupported slur on a young man.

With Beams 'retiring' it is 3 players costing 5 recent first round draft picks that were sent packing. But they save $1.5m a year in sal cap...Hmmm. Clubs should take heed of how Geelong manage their sal cap. The List Manager does the first cut and then they meet with the Finance Department to keep it manageable. And they have sign off rules that go right up to Board level for player contracts > x. In comparison Coll sounds like the Wild West! Btw, rumour has it that Beams was brought back at Eddie's behest. He cost 2 1st round picks and reportedly $500k pa for 4 years and played 9 games in 2 years. Won't play again. But mud won't stick on Eddie. Ned Guy will be the fall guy.

Yep. I was very keen for the MFC to become a McDonald-free zone. In 2021 he'll be bending us over even when he's kicking the dew. I'm not one of those supporters who tries to make good of a bad situation. It's shouse that we kept him. But I can still laugh at Collingwood.

I've gone and developed a genuine draft-crush for the first time in years. Archie Perkins will likely go in the middle of the first round, so we need to get into that range. Possible Targets: Essendon: 6, 7, 8, 44, 77, 85, 87 Lots of list spots to fill. Some top picks but then dross. They might be enticed by some combo of 19+ 28 to keep them participating meaningfully. Fremantle 12, 32, 55 Doesn't seem likely, but hey, it is Fremantle. GWS 10, 13, 15, 20, 29, 52, 74, 88 What the hell are they going to do with all those picks? That's just selfish. Again. Unfortunately they look all set for drafting early and then burning late picks for academy points. North Melbourne 2, 11, 30, 39, 71, 81 That 11 is 'ours' anyway, isn't it? I can see it happening, once they've got their draftee star they'd love to be able to point to as many young guns as possible coming through the system, so a pair of later first rounders may have value. Adelaide 1, 9, 22, 23, 40, 56, 66, 80 Nine would do the job for us nicely, but they might not see the point in adding 18 or 19 to their 22 and 23. But 18, 19 and 28 for 9 and 23 might start a conversation. Collingwood 14, 16, 65, 70, 75, 92 Offer them 18 and 89 for 14 and 92 and see if they are still drunk, but only if Archie is still available at 14. And that's every pick from 6 to 16 covered in just six clubs.

Our improvement needs to come from the coaching box more than the list. Goody hasn't got it right consistently yet, he is IMO a bottom 4 coach. This doesn't mean he can't improve but that is where we take our next leap.

I don't think it's quite like that. Yes the club was prepared to trade him on the basis that it could be mutually beneficial arrangement, rather than potenitally T Mac get shirty and frustrated at the prospect of competing for spots and playing twos week in/week out, but that's a bit different from 'wanting to get rid of him'. MFC footy department these days has more class than Collingwood.

I’m usually not too picky but that thread title is crying out for a comma, maybe a full stop or too, some brackets and certainly a question mark to the topic - quick running back winger small forward back up ruck- consider mature recruits

Beware the Pies and Eddie's ego. They may look to trade in someone big coming out of contract next season to win back disgruntled supporters

We are writing Tom completely off and and I hope he makes us all eat any words said. What I do know if Tom can get fit his input to our results is huge. A fit 2018 style Tom forward back or as a back up follower would put us in a major position to do some real damage. One thing we should all know about the McDonalds they are fine clubmen from a wonderful family who will leave no stone unturned to make the Dees successful. Just imagine if Tom starred on GF day fit and dangerous with the other forwards playing to a plan using a three skills!!! Bring it on Dees and Tommy.

The big Pedo bear put in some pretty decient cameo appearances when we needed them, so if that's how it turns out, I could well live with that. Like Pedo, I get the impression that Tommy is a pretty solid citizen, so I think we could do far worse than to have an influence like that around the club. I also think he's a pretty fierce competitor and that is the exactly the kind of attitude we need to have at the MFC to be putting pressure on Side Show, Wied and Jacko and others. I am really hoping that we have all underestimated T Mac, but time will tell ...who knows, he may even be part of a last minute trade for all we know.