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FWIW… On Sunday I spent the halftime break with The Wiz and his mob and for the most part we talked about the Quairading - Going Home video (if you’ve not watched it, you really should). Jeff loves the video. He said that Kozzie’s mob will forever consider Goody and Clarrie and Shano part of their family, and that’s huge. In particular, the part where Clarrie piggybacks Kozzie’s grandmother up the hill is immense. As Jeff explained it, and I’m paraphrasing, it meant the world to Nan to be able to be up at that special spot at the top of the hill, the very spot where Kozzie and his cousins spent many carefree days swimming and playing and all the while Nan would be watching and enjoying seeing them so happy. But… she wasn’t able to walk up the hill without assistance and maybe it’s a cultural thing, but she wouldn’t ask for, nor expect, assistance. No-fuss-Claz without any ado just did it. I asked Jeff what he thinks lies ahead for Clarrie. He believes Clarrie will remain a Demon. As I said, for what it’s worth. 🤷‍♀️

Why would you trade a top 5 player during their poorest season to date? It's like buying shares at the top price and selling when they crash. At worse Clarry never returns to the same player, and we trade him at the end of 2025 after a full pre-season. At best he returns to his previous form and we don't make fools of ourselves trading out a top 5 player after ONE mediocre season. Even if you are a cut throat fans with no attachment to players, it makes no sense to get rid of Clarry now when his value has never been lower. The chances of his playing worse next year after a good off-season, are slim to none.

I've got [censored]-all interest in us paying half a million a year for Oliver to tear it up for another team for the next 5 years. Yes injury and his off field issues stuffed the latter half of last year and much of his pre season, but he's seemed in a much better place this season. I reckon we'd be crazy not to give him the chance to get a full preseason under him and show his wares next year before giving trades a consideration.

Brilliant news People on social media should be ashamed of themselves with some of the comments being made about Petty. Absolutely shameful garbage that I would expect from Pies fans not Dees fans.

It's well stated that Melbourne has been dealing with Clayton's off-field issues for a number of years. From what I understand, while the footy in his life has been consistent, he's been able to manage and juggle it ok. From what I know based on a conversation with someone at the club, the problems all started with his hamstring injury last year. Without the daily grind of footy everyday, Clarry lost the structure in his day and that's where his off-field problems started to escalate. I thought Buckley made a really good point last night on "On the couch". He said sometimes "manic on-field" and "manic off-field" works really well for some individuals. He then went onto say, Oliver is clearly had a transition from that "manic off-field" lifestyle and it may take a while for him to fully adjust. I'm backing Clarry in. With him in a better headspace next year and a full pre-season, I expect a return to somewhere near his best. He may never reach that same level, but I still think he can be a top 10 player in the game.

I wish sulking was the side effect of ADHD medication for me. Instead, every time I fart, I wee a bit.

Petty for mine because I never worried about Windsor going anywhere at this stage. I am thrilled to secure a key position player who is only 24 and a proven defender, a proven contested mark and a potential gun forward. And just for context, it took Tmac 2 entire seasons to find the form he’s currently in post a Lisfranc injury. Every man and his dog wanted him paid out and delisted. Now everyone hopes he stays on.

And Heeney copped a week for attempting to foil a player's hold on his jumper. Compare the respective actions. The inconsistency between incident and penalty is an indictment on the AFL.

Gotta replace Christian as MRO.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Windsor will be a better player than Jackson. I know they’re very different, but Windsor has the endurance of a wingman, the speed of a goal sneak and the ability to win the contested ball of an inside mid. That is an actual unicorn!

❤️ 💙 Best debut season at Melbourne since David Schwartz IMHO. Not afraid to go and get his own ball. Will get stronger and the sky is the limit. Great recruitment and very pleased he has committed to the club.

Elbows a bloke in the throat. Just a fine. Something stinks in the Afl nowadays. Blokes untouchable. I wonder who really pays the fine.

I just heard something that fills me with hope. A couple of our DA travelling party had a long chat with a high-up member of the FD in Perth (understandably no name mentioned). On the subject of Clarrie this person said that we should not believe what the media are saying. Before anyone chimes in with “Of course they’re gonna say that, they’d hardly say otherwise,” here’s the thing: the DA and the FD work very closely together. There’s mutual respect, this FD person wouldn’t lie to our OGs. If necessary, they would’ve said something to the effect of ‘I can’t really comment on that.’

I don't see the big issue with going uninsured. If Max gets injured for long stretch, we are not going to win the flag anyway. It is challenging to recruit a decent back up ruck because we have Gawn. And we managed to get through Gawn's injury with a 1-1 record, with both games against top 8 sides. (I don't think we would have beaten Freo in Perth even if we still had Grundy as our back up.) Hopefully Verrell becomes an AFL level player as he gets stronger.

Ok Im saying this now, If Clarry is out, Im out, no more memberships, no more training reports and probably better for some no more P.F I know little of his background BUT I do know footy clubs and cricket clubs at ANY level have their fair share of hipsters, jive bunnies, try hards, alternatives, party animals, wacky terbaccy imbibers clowns, nutters, mad men ( and women) eccentrics,musicians, drunks you name it I have seen them all then some more!!.You embrace em and support and encourage whatever the scenario. AND LOOK AFTER THEM! NOT SAYING CLARRY IS ANY OF THAT, BUT ...Clarry needs us as we need him!

well fwiw i reckon that means a lot more than sam mcclure or any other journos. it’s not a guarantee of course but it’s an opinion w substance.

I'm trying not to read too much into what we see/hear, be it +/-, in the media. We have no way of knowing what is happening inside the club. I just hope all goes well now and in the future for him and the club. I'll always give him the benefit of the doubt.

I'm no fan of Cornes or McClure but is it so impossible to imagine a Clarrie trade? A recent precedent is Grundy to Melb for pick 27 (which went out into the 30's) with 5 years to run on a $1m+ contract and Coll picked up about $400k p.a. Clarrie has 6 years to go on a $1m+ contract. Grundy doesn't have the achievements of Clarrie but he was/is no slouch. The Grundy deal would set the parameters for any potential Clarrie trade. That is the logical me speaking. The emotional me 🥹says: I want him to be well. I don't want him to go. I want him to be a demon forever. I hope he doesn't go...

We have young Brown. I like the cut of Kolts job( whatever that means). McVee Jvr Turner And I know people have been critical of AMW but I think he will end up being a very good midfielder for us one day. Yep a few more will do nicely. Another Strong mid and fwd.

But he was though Jaded.. He was disgruntled last year at the way he felt the club had managed his hamst injury even though Clayton went against Selwyn and the rehabilitations instructions and tried to push through/manage his injury like a pro. The club had to sit down with his management and family at the end of last year to soothe tensions over and implement support plan in place after all the [censored] hit the fan. The clubs support around him has been first class, but there comes a time where Clayton needs to also put his hand up and take some responsibility for his own actions. He's a grown adult. The Clayon Oliver story has carried noise since October last year and could continue to do so for the rest of his career. With that comes distraction and I'm not entirely sure this is something that club will want lingering on for years in the background. Maybe, just maybe that both Oliver and the club come to a mutual agreement at the end of the year that perhaps a fresh start at a completely new environment would benefit both parties moving forward. Goodwin has proven to make tough decisions on players who are much loved by the players and fans (See Jack Watts). Sometimes being in an organisation for so long can simply burn you out hearing the same voices all the time and it can then become a grind. Maybe this is now how he feels. Why change could benefit both parties is one, for Clayton's mental health perspective and a new lease in life, and two the club can simply move forward and start focusing in regenerating the list with fresh talent through the door.

I believe the footy department in general needs a refresh. Tim Lamb has been at the club for twelve years and has had a poor record over the past four years in particular as the List Manager. Other FD staff that have been around for a while including Stafford who joined the club in 2013 and Troy Chaplin who joined in 2016 who has done a great job with our backline. A fresh set of eyes and some new ideas can really benefit a potentially stale playing group. Melbourne needs to make some tough calls and shake things up, starting with looking for a new List Manager.

What substance? Just because dickweed states it 2 weeks in a row isn’t substance.

Where are you putting Josh Battle? I thought he was coming too.

Very much this. I know the majority want him returned to defence but I'm keeping the faith. I reckon he could be a 35+ goal KPF given a decent run with fitness & injury. Folks remember his big game against Richmond but there was more to his season than that. His improvement week on week when he started playing forward last year was impressive. Running & leading patterns, getting to contests, presenting as a target etc. Unfortunately each time he really got going he was struck down with injury. I'll go to my grave believing we were a fit Harry Petty and / or Jake Melksham away from winning the whole bloody lot in 2023.

8-3 at the G this year gives me confidence.

Four years is a big commitment Petty signs a three year deal and disco a two year deal. Great vote of confidence in the club, goody and the direction we're going. What odds Harley Reid signs a four year extension at the Eagles? Top work Tom Lamb.

McClure is demonstrating credibility on par with that kid at primary school that reckons his dad is a billionaire and he has all the cool toys but he's not allowed to show you because they are so valuable.

I would put Christian Salem in cotton wool for the rest of the year to try and get him through the preseason and a better 2025. Very sad when a player nears the end of their career, he has been so good for us.

where there's smoke, there's normally a bad smell, which is a good indication morris is lurking

I think I'll wait until there are more respected people giving weight to this, as opposed to McClure and Morris. A pair of weasels that love the sound of their own voice and are desperate to feel important, possibly because didn't get enough hugs growing up.

If you've seen Fullarton at Casey then you would know that wasn't going to happen. Better to at least have Petty marking ability around the ground...

Ahhhh Schwarz, maybe help us trade JVR for King hey? I don’t think drinking our bath water is the issue atm. The lack of senior talent on the list is the issue.

Good news, smart to hang on to the talls we have particulary with a few the wrong side of 30. Only 24 years old, Harry's played 77 games for the Dees, I'd suggest we've been more pleased than displeased with his performances in those 77 games. Definitely battled this year as a forward/ruck off limited preseason and with some injury struggles but I'd suggest his last 4 games has been his best block of form and was possibly our best player vs Fremantle. Will/would return to the backline if/when feasible. Would need someone else to pick up CHF (maybe Jeffo in time) and probably for TMac to make way. The time will come... We shouldn't disregard the selflessness in the role Harry has played this year. Team player!

Why let it go? Something is rotten.

You get assessed on actions and outcomes. Lamb is tracking for a F grade outcome. Fail. Unsure how he would keep his role going forward. Fyi Josh Mahoney delivered excellent trades and success.

Shocking. Deep draft this year too. He’s 30 next year already! Why we would opt out of a Liam Henry trade and bring this guy in instead is beyond me. Mcadam will retire and Henry will play for another 8 years.

We also have a bizarre 16-3-1 record on Saturday nights since the start of 2021. It's by far our favourite time slot. GWS also seem to be winning games on the back of kicking 6 behinds a game which is unsustainable. Both of these factors are predicated on us bringing the minimum standard of AFL pressure. Last week's pressure against Fremantle wouldn't stack up against Nar Nar Goon's thirds.

I would not play Jefferson until our season is officially done. The kid is improving but this would be a big jump in class for him.

I thought Harley Reid would be CHF? A bit early for this.

Is there any evidence he is upset about the role or is it just an easy line for media to make up? The evidence I have is that he spent most of the first quarter on the bench last week, came on and finished strongly and left the ground arm in arm with Goodwin didn't he? He looks happier to me than he has for a long time. I know that's an average way to judge these things, and sure he might be traded, but it currently seems pretty baseless. Just media stoking fire for clicks.

I think this is one of the issues with Will... ...and against good VFL ruckmen he has struggled to provide a consistent contest. You can blame selection as much as you like, but when the cupboards bare...

McLure and most of the media want us permanent bottom 4 playing 1.10 Sunday. We had the temerity to win a flag and finish the regular season top 4 three years in a row.

What are these apparent growing tensions? Because last week I saw Goody and Clarry hugging and walking arm in arm off the field post win.

Anyone who isn’t thrilled with that (if it’s true), is an absolute fool! Securing our talls means we can focus on restocking our midfield!

B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Cumming, McDonald, Houston C: Windsor, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Petty, Neal-Bullen F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Melksham FOLL: Gawn, Viney, Pickett IC: Salem, Oliver, Turner, Chandler, Tholstrup Casey B: Howes, Adams, Hore HB: Bowey, Draft Pick, Moniz-Wakefield C: Draft Pick, Laurie, Draft Pick HF: Sestan, Jefferson, Billings F: McAdam, Kentfield, Spargo FOLL: Fort, Woewodin, K.Brown IC: Verrall, Fullerton Retired: Brayshaw Delisted: Hunter, Schache, Tomlinson, Smith, Farris-White, B.Brown Sparrow as part of the Houston trade.

Of all the bewildering trades over the past 3 years, re-signing Schache for another year takes the cake.

McAdam for a future second round draft pick, probably in the late 20's, is now looking like an atrocious trade by Lamb. Credit to some posters on DL who at the time who thought we paid too much. There's a whiff of rebuild about our club at the moment, and not having a second rounder heading into the trade and draft period is disappointing. Not fussed about the Billings trade as we gave up nothing for him and he played some good games in March. Fullarton was a big fail considering he was supposed to be out back up ruck when we needed him the most, but yeah whatever.

Is anyone here surprised?

Getting a late teens pick and paying a third of his salary would be a bonkers move