Leaderboard

But that was then, this in now. Is Clarry going to be forever 'punished' for last year? Is May going to be forever 'punished' for the Entrecote incident 2 years ago? CP is just venting his spleen about anything and everything to soothe his massively bruised ego that he's not as hardcore as he thought he was, and that the team won games this year without him. He's learnt the hard way that he's no indispensable, and shopping himself around for a giant trade before he can ever get his heartrate above 100 again is part of proving to himself (and everyone else) that he's still 'IT'. Barring a persistent hand injury, Clarry has had an incident-free year. If I recall, it was Clarry who did a pretty amazing team thing and travelled out to Kossie's home town with him and carried his nana up the dam, not CP. It's not just about performance on the field, it's about what you contribute off the field too. If CP can't acknowledge what positive improvements have been made this year, because he just wants the world to burn, then someone needs to sit him down and have a word.

Fair points. Entrecote, Clarry, JS - not sure what else I can say without getting into trouble with Andy @Demonland but there has been other stuff in the papers some linked to the SIA investigation, some linked to the ongoing court issues with the board, some allegations regarding Goodwin - some of the allegations regarding Goodwin relate to behaviour outside the club, some to his conduct with other staff and his stance on player welfare. There is enough going on that you know where there is smoke there is fire. Again, I'm not that concerned about other clubs, I just want the MFC to get their [censored] together and gain the success we all crave. Stengle's may not have been a one off, you're right it's only what is publicly known. But now we are dealing in supposition and by the same token I could argue there may be even more going on at MFC we haven't heard about. The fact our best player and one of our senior leaders who takes his job as a pro athlete seriously had such grave concerns he wanted out is enough for me to say this has got to the point where it must be scrutinised and dealt with before the whole place implodes in on itself.

I believe Clayton definitely wants to stay, and I believe he will. It’s just that clubs realise that Dees want to change the way they play, and they’re just probing to see what the situation is with Clayton & CP. Let’s be clear, there’s many, many more discussions had than there are trades done.

My mail is that Houston is off to the Saints. 5/6 years at $850 per year.

Let me say very clearly that the Dees are not shopping Clayton, but they have been asked if 2 first rounders would get it done, and I believe it wasn’t totally shut down / dismissed.

So Pert was a good footballer. Big deal. Brian Cook was a modest player, playing a few games for us in the 70s, but has been a great CEO at 3 clubs. I want someone of Cook’s calibre as our CEO so we can let Pert have more time in his pool room to polish his trophies and decorations. Ability to kick the pigskin around is irrelevant as to quality of leadership at senior executive level. We’re talking about a bloke whose conduct during the AGM was very poor, and who famously came out and told us our culture was the best he’d seen in a footy club in 40 years. And where’s our Strategic Plan that was promised to be delivered back in February? These are the publicly visible shortfalls in performance. I’d be thinking about icebergs and wondering about the level of performance on things we don’t have visibility on. As to CEO of two flag teams, the first one would be under Maguire as effective executive president, and the second would be where he Steven Bradbury’d in to be CEO of the House that PJ Built. As a CEO he’s probably a good footballer. By all means maintain your cheerleader allegiance to him, but I’ll be barracking for our club to have the best leadership we can get.

Now that the "crisis" is over, I believe the time is ripe for Christian to debut on his cooking channel a new dessert of his own creation, the Petracca Palaver. It appears robust but is surprisingly delicate, and whilst certainly sweet, leaves a mildly bitter taste in the mouth.

Save for the fact that our best player was actively trying to leave the club, yes it could have been handled by the club… Some of you are twisted around like pretzels right now; just straighten up and give in to the facts. We have a bit of a work to do across the admin, FD, and playing group to get back to where we were.

Clarry has put in a HUGE amount of work and has categorically bought into the club. His commitment to change, self-improvement and betterment is absolutely genuine. Clarry has had a huge amount of resources expended on him, which has been seen as a mutual commitment from both club and player alike. I can understand that players are regularly discussed, but I really hope this hasn’t (doesn’t) damage the relationship and trust that has improved tenfold, between Oliver and the club.

As devastating as it was to lose finals in the last two years coming in as top four, at least we put up a fight. This is just deplorable from Port Adelaide.

Yes, i 100% agree. With all of your post. In fact i'd add that Clarry was exemplary this year. Of course his fitness was an issue but he tried his guts out week in, week out. I'd take that every day of the week over the inconsistency in effort of say Fritter. Mark my word, clarry will finish top 10 in the Bluey - ahead of a lot of players who whose fitness wasn't an issue. I actually don't have an major issue with Tracc its not how i would have handled things and think he ended up looking a pretty foolish. But the whole 'our best player wants out is evidence of how bad things are at the club' is carrying an awful lot of water given HE IS STAYING! If things were so bad and he really wanted out, and was prepared to go to any club we 100% would have done the deal. In fact i would not be shocked if they might have been ok with that as my sense is that he has made himself an outlier. And whilst his concerns no doubt have some validity i don't think they are such a big issue for his teammates, who actually seem very united (you only need to see the positive energy after out win over Gold Coast for evidence of that).

With respect, you or I wouldn't know whether the off field standards have slipped. The players and coaches would know, are they doing the little bit extra they might have done a couple of years ago? Are they preparing themselves as well as they possibly can for each game/season? Are they holding each other accountable? Is the culture one of camaraderie and working to a common goal or have selfish habits crept in? Our best player and only Norm Smith medallist believes standards have slipped, our skipper at least partially agrees with him. I'm willing to accept their opinion over mine or yours. I think on field standards have definitely slipped. We don't have the same tenacity we did in 2021, we're not working hard to drop back and support our teammates, we're not working hard to pressure the opposition, plug defensive holes, run forward to make options. On Kings Birthday we missed two or three tackles in the opening minute on the wing which led to a Collingwood goal - that to me is a slip in standards, players not playing with a focused mindset and ruthless energy. Also with respect you say "anyone associated with bringing that Cup to us!" yet I would say our current CEO and President came in on the back of the hard work done by the previous regime (particularly Peter Jackson). I'm not discounting the work of Roffey and Pert but to say they brought the Cup to us is I think disingenuous when the foundation was laid before they took the reigns.

Here’s one for those who are hoping to gain politically from jumping on the bandwagon of ‘Club in Crisis’. 1964 to 2021… you count the years, false dawns, messiahs and heartaches! We won a magnificent Premiership three years ago and yet, it has only taken three years for the borers to demand we obliterate anyone associated with bringing that Cup to us! I say the follow up was snuffed out on the field of play! I say the players own the so called failure. They know that. Let them fix it. That’s what good footballers do and we are blessed with good footballers, I believe in the young men who wear the red and blue. I keep our most successful coach in 60 years. I keep those around him who he wants and needs. I respect our current Board, CEO and Pres… I don’t accept ‘poor standards’ or ‘bad culture’ arguments, particularly from those with a political agenda or those in the media who live and die for clicks!

trac has already started pre-season training

Looking like the Saints will get a first round compo for Battle. Thank our lucky stars they kicked that goal in the last 20 seconds, effectively taking us from pick 7 to pick 5.

Here’s something I found in a Herald Sun online article that covers all AFL clubs with this being the part that deals with Melbourne. Of course, it’s very speculative and there’s a long way to go.

From espn (by Jasper Chellappah - whoever that is) Opening two paragraphs and a bit: The 2024 AFL Draft might still be nearly three months away, but for 10 teams' supporters, attention now turns to the trade period and draft season, and this year offers fascinating subplots throughout. Its headline act is a wide open race to be anointed pick one. Jagga Smith, Finn O'Sullivan, Harvey Langford, Josh Smillie, Sid Draper, Sam Lalor and Levi Ashcroft all have claims; it's a wholly different landscape to Harley Reid's grip on the top spot last year. That isn't to say this draft lacks talent - in truth, this may be the deepest draft ever. He then goes thru each club needs and options etc MELBOURNE Current draft hand: 5, 38, 45, 51, 61 List need: Midfield depth It's a pivotal draft for the Dees who are quietly rebuilding on the run, but there are list holes appearing at a rapid rate and heavy reliance is still being placed on ageing stars Max Gawn, Steven May and Jack Viney. The positive is Jason Taylor's team is positioned to snare a top tier midfielder with pick 5. One of Jagga Smith, Finn O'Sullivan, Sid Draper, Josh Smillie or Harvey Langford will be available, but the most enticing selection could be Sam Lalor. The Rebels powerhouse on-baller shares similarities to Christian Petracca in his explosion from contest and scoreboard impact, and he has the ability to command the football in the forward 50 where his one-on-one work is best in class. A developing ruckman will surely be targeted later in the piece and Lalor's teammate Floyd Burmeister has put together a solid campaign.

With respect: Bowey - lost confidence somewhere and started floating his kicks, making his kicking easier to defend for opposition (I do think he will recover) I felt that after he got a few knocks he was a little like Hunt post that major concussion he had. Fritsch - much the same but he is much better defended by opposition - he needs help from the forward coach to make some space, he has looked good when used as a decoy. Gawn = Goat Langdon = 24 was better that 22+23 Lever = nothing has dropped May = absolutely stoic the way he has worked through injuries. McDonald = better season than the last 3 incl premiership year. We would have been massacred without him down back this year. Trac was top 4 in coaches votes when injured Petty = standards have not dropped but suffered under/returning from injury - confident about 25 Pickett =great improvement in discipline Rivers = continued growth Salem = thought he was getting better but off the boil again - really a shadow of 21 self. needs a big pre season, we are adifferent side when he is playing well. Spargo = lost year Sparrow = happy for someone to argue why I got this wrong but wasn't happy with his season at all, ball watching, minimal contested possessions despite being built like a truck, should watch Butters highlights, if he chooses to carry that much weight he should use it as a weapon. Viney = just friggin awesome, you can see the games he doesn't dominate are only because he's smashed up, elite still, couldn't be more proud.

Hmmm … I’d rather a fit and firing Oliver over Trac tbh. If Oliver has done enough to prove his turned a new page, vs Tracs alleged rogue antics. Oliver everyday of the week.

You rang the club to complain? Steven May joined us prior to 2019 and Lever prior to 2018 and you called the club to complain?

Next they'll have an Opening Round Eve

Good luck to him. Back when it was rumoured he was leaving I rang the Club to complain because I thought he was one of our best tall defenders despite the occasional brain fade. I was told not to worry because Oscar McDonald was improving & he & Tomlinson provided adequate cover. I was & still am very sorry to have lost him. I think he wanted 3 years & we only offered 2.

Source?

To be fair Goodwindees has years of impeccable sources and a good track record. He’s not some random who signed up today to post trash. I think we are all just feeling trade fatigue at this point and it’s not even trade week yet

Fair dinkum, this is the best example of tall poppy syndrome. I don't care how much of a campaigner Danger is, he's an outstanding footballer, like having a go at the All Blacks, you can hate em, but respect for what he's done over the journey. At 34 and a 1/2, he's still above his average for disposals and had an impact on metres gained.

I know Geelong and Chris Scott are equally disliked on Demonland but their ability to challenge more often than not is amazing.

I can’t wait to pile on Kane when Port do a double straight sets. At least we won a flag.

Guys, I’m hearing that Clayton is not totally off the table. He’s gettable for the right offer.

You are talking absolute drivel. Richmond’s midfield was never flying. Even during their golden era their supporters used to lament the fact that they got annihilated at clearance every week, which is why they brought in Taranto and Hopper in an attempt to rectify that. You’re also talking as if our midfield is a group of plodders which is clearly absurd - it’s the best group we’ve had in the club’s history. People’s issues with the midfield this year is largely down to the structures around stoppages. It’s incredibly evident when you’re at the games how nonsensical and reactive our starting positions are. That’s down to the midfield coach. In the game against Freo they won the first EIGHTEEN clearances of the game. There is no excuse for that. None. That is abysmal coaching. The bottom line is a previous strength of our game has become a glaring weakness in the space of a season since McQualter took over the reins.

Re this "It's not just about performance on the field, it's about what you contribute off the field too" I think some facts around Christian's off field contributions have been forgotten. Some that I am aware of: In 2016 before Christian had even played a single game he befriend a young lad, Lucas Peters, at training. . Lucas suffered from MDT. Their friendship continued and Christian kept in touch with him, and made his dream come true - Christian invited him to the 2021 GF. In 2023 Christian took a road trip with Kozzie to Raukken - The Meeting Place. to better understand Kozzie's background and indigenous culture In 2024 Christian befriended 4 yo, Eddie at training. There are various videos of the two of them together. In this link is an adorable and entertaining video of them. https://www.instagram.com/melbournefc/reel/C5k6sR1yiAw/ I'm not suggesting the above deeds are anything special as many players contribute to fans and the community in a variety of ways. But they shouldn't be forgotten when comparing him to other players be they mfc or other teams. I get folks are angry. I am too. And I'm not happy with how he has conducted himself over recent weeks. Nonetheless, it doesn't imv, wipe out all the good he has done and the joy he has brought fans on and off the field over the years. I hope everyone's anger eases soon and a more balanced narrative develops around him.

No. Not for the Dees. Sam Day is 32 tomorrow. 14 years at the Suns. 155 games. He’s done. Injury just hurt his career most of the way through unfortunately. Probably 4-5 years too late now. He should be allowed to gracefully retire and be a leader at Southport or Palm Beach footy club or go to where he can enjoy finals or winning a premiership !!

Being the "Collateral damage" of trade speculation? Give me a spell.

How about a straight swap for Membrey?

ANB. He has played 96 out of 97 games possible in the last 4 years. Super consistent. Super reliable. ANB and MFC pick 51 for Crows pick 25. They are getting a player who walks into their best group (7-8) and is a leader.

People keep referring to Stengle, but that was a one off incident at a club that has had very few of them over the last decade. Things were a bit looser under Bomber but Scott has tightened things up since taking the reigns. Compare that to the incidents at Melbourne over the last few years. Compare it to Oliver's ongoing issues last offseason. I have no doubt there are scallywags at all clubs, it's the nature of the beast, but it's how those clubs deal with it which is what speaks to their culture. I have no doubt Collingwood's issues run deep as well, maybe less so since McRae took charge but I wouldn't know for sure. Under Malthouse things certainly ran amok though. At the end of the day I don't really care what is happening at other clubs though. If they have a string of incidents the media spotlight will turn on them. It is rightfully on us at the moment though and we will continue to cop it until 1) these incidents stop happening, 2) our performance lifts, 3) we stop spruiking to all and sundry what a great culture we have (live it, don't talk it), 4) we stop having issues with leaks to the media and 5) we stop having public spats with our star player (via said media leaks) This is not some conspiracy, we have brought it on ourselves. We need to stop sooking about how unfair it is and actually fix it. We won't have any success until that happens.

So they've pinpointed their man in 3 different reports today, only problem is its a different man in all of them..

Grouse, they should have a T20 as a curtain-raiser for each match.

True story: Trac and Goody crossed paths in the gym this morning. Nervously I asked what the mood/interaction was like and the response from the observer was ‘very warm, familiar and friendly’. Apologies for the mundane update, just doing my bit to lift page count on this thread.

Melbourne Storm

Beauty of an external review is that if Pert is fine as some seem to be claimed, that'll be re-enforced in the reviews findings, if, as i and others suspect there is a need for change, that'll be shown in the review as well. It's much better to know where we stand and make the appropriate changes.

Any chance the Saints can give him Battle's $ so we trigger first round pick compo?

I reckon I got more joy watching Higgins kick that goal than I have at just about any Dees game this year 😭

You’ll be surprised to know that my polestar in matters-MFC is Dr Don Duffy. Dr Don presided over our decline from the most dominant team in the history of the code (10 flags in 25 years) to the wilderness wanderers we became for decades. When others became innovative and proactive we became complacent and irrelevant. I don’t want that to happen again. I want a proper review of our operations. If you’re not getting better, you’re going backwards. We could certainly get better, on recent evidence.

Yes but isn't it HIS call how to set up??

The club needs to fly under the radar early next year after all the negative PR it’s copped for a long while now. Therefore I think it’s best we don’t participate in OR and risk the media sinking the boots into us if we lose yet another prime time game and further upsetting the fan base. Plus it does nothing for membership as the game would be interstate. Another factor is that won’t be tempted to rush players back who aren’t ready, like we did with Spargo. A WC or GC on Sunday 1:10 at the MCG in round 1 proper would be ideal for the club .

It has been inferred that CP5 is ‘disgruntled’ over the way the Clayton Oliver issue has been handled by the club. Considering that Clayton was on the brink during the second half of 2023, the fact that he played 21 games in 2024, and led the club for average disposals, is a minor miracle! I applaud the coach, his assistants, player leaders and officials for the transformation they bought about in Clayton’s health and wellbeing, and ultimately, in his output in 2024. He is now well positioned to start 2025 at the height of his powers. It’s up to him! I think too much has been made of Petracca’s concerns on this issue. Are they not great mates! Wouldn’t Christian be pleased to see a slow but steady redemption for Clayton. I would have thought that Christian would play a role in getting Clayton back on track (no pun intended) rather than using him as a catalyst for enquiring about possible trade options!

With titles like these, sure it wasn't a porn site back then? Pounded at Port. Curve. Dry as a bone r Make a noise please Humiliation.

That the club didn't do enough to put in boundaries and/or enforce them. Not an unreasonable perspective in my opinion.

I don’t have to name names - our best player did an actual ‘ruction’ in trying to leave and implicated the ‘names’ as having dropped standards and professionalism. This is such a silly argument - we are going to have an external review, possibly a new President, probably two new line coaches, and whatever recommendations come from this review that some of you have convinced yourselves will find little that the playing group can do better in both their professional preparation and behaviour… Ahh, might want to look behind who before you backtrack too quickly.