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Mate, i totally understand people pointing out i got this one wrong. but surely you understand things change in silly season. as of 3 days ago when i last posted this my source of information was very confident he was coming. that's how quickly things change.

Unless I am being told a porky, someone very close to Ben Brown has confirmed he's 100% to Dees. Bombers have offered him big big money, yet he's happy to take less to come to the Dees. Eat a 🍆 bombers 😉 Also apparently he played with a floating bone in his knee most of the year which would've been a big part of his performance drop this year. Since his surgery recently, he is ready to roll. Very exciting - sounds like he should return to strong form* *as long as the Dees learn to kick inside 50 and don't bomb it over his head...

He's had an interview with the club, fair to say it did not go well and he won't be a Demon anytime soon.

Had to laugh at Kennett imploring Smith & Gunston to be "one club players". They pinched Gunston from Adelaide.

Looks like Jaidyn Stephenson is about as popular as me on here.

@Dr evil's mail wasnt any different from the rest of insiders here and in the AFL as well. When Dr Evil posted it originally it was early and good intel. And we saw it play out in the media that the "Cats came late" and that "Hawthorn upped their offer". Yes, the double down was probably too much, but I'm happy for him to keep those insider tips coming!

As I understand the way it has evolved, The MFC have been talking with Smith off and on for some time with a view to looking at getting him in the door at this time. Talking progressed to negotiations and an outline of a deal had generally been agreed. It is on the table but as the discussion progressed other opportunities in the market opened up as teams began to finish their seasons and player/club positions gained a bit more clarity. I do not think the MFC want to, at this stage add any sweetener to the pot for Smith. the market has also changed for Smith with Geelong looking hard at f

I feel a bit sorry for Tom McDonald. His loss of form since 2018 has been dramatic and inexplicable. It has hurt us enormously. That said, can we please remember that he’s been a fantastic clubman and has always exhibited a very respectful and professional and, I think, loyal attitude to this club. He was a superstar in 2018. Regrettably, that body of work is a distant memory and he just hasn’t been able to re-capture any form at all since. I don’t believe however that this has been due to a lack of effort or commitment from Tom. Or, in fairness, from the club to him. It’s

Eat an Eggplant?

He won't be going to the Dons until @Dr evil says he's 100% going to the Dees.

I’m grateful to Isaac Smith for moving across to Geelong where I’m sure that he’ll have an impact in 2021 and possibly in 2022. It was that third year of the contract he might have entered into with Melbourne that had me concerned and Smith’s own decision to go with 2 years confirmed that he has his own doubts. That makes it a win/win for all concerned. Expect more big news from the Cats when the results of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety are handed down in February/March next year.

Long may his hammies ping.

Official. Two year deal to the Cats. https://www.afl.com.au/news/523321/hawk-stunner-veteran-wingman-wants-to-join-arch-rival-geelong No need to hang @Dr evil out to dry. My mail was this was basically a done deal weeks ago for 3 year contract, but then I got radio silence the past fortnight. Things change. We move on to other younger targets hopefully.

Brown will kick 130 goals for us next season. Bookmark it.

Don't know exact details, but heard Mahoney thought it was one of the worst interviews he's had, oh and Stephenson was late to the meeting as well.

I'm convinced Goodwin and Mahoney won't stop until we have 42 small forwards on the list, each one of them sh1tter than the last.

I've said it many times, and I apologise to all for sounding like a broken record, but I hate Geelong with a passion. I hate Paddy Duckingfield. I hate Joel Duckwood I hate the little tip rat Gryan Miers I hate their fake tan of a coach in Chris Scott And I hate their bandwagon fans. I just hate Geelong.

5:30am is my morning gym and coffee Mr Wise 😎 Hanging for this to be confirmed. The prospect of Brown in red and blue is exciting. Imagine if we still jag 40 to 50 goals next year?

Based on that looks like Burgess is staying put which is hopefully right.

Family are big Demon fans too. I am aware that doesn’t matter anymore - just a good story if it happens.

I never really found him to be all that funny

It appears the re- signing of Spargo has finally and totally unhinged @picket fence

Glad it turned out this way to be honest. I didn't want him at the Dees, especially on a 3 year deal. Adds nicely to the Cats ageing list!

@Dr evil won't be the first and last who gets it wrong. What I do hope is that it won't be the last that he posts info that he has. You just keep feeding those Rumours doc.

Oskar Baker pleased by this.

I know a very close contact of his , says he's a great kid, really good family. Something has happened to send him off the rails...all is not good at magpie land. Might see if I can get an update.

Is she a small forward?

I'm not that sad he's gone to the Cats. I don't want us to be a super plan for past it players.

Off to Geelong apparently

Yep confirmed campaigner.

Would much rather have inside information provided to us that didn't eventuate, than no information at all. Please don't be discouraged Doctor! You've single handedly been worth at least half of the value of the forum posts in the past few weeks :)

Well at least one good thing comes out of all of this!

Also, [censored] free agency. Cats are getting Cameron, Smith and Higgins without using a single draft pick. The system is massively broken.

I would have liked him. But I am not losing sleep that he's not coming. 3 years was probably a tad stretch, but our attention should be now turned to Phillips from Collingwood.

One of Weid's main problems this year, especially once Jako was injured, was that every time the ball came into the forward line he was double and sometimes triple teamed. That doesn't happen with Brown and certainly not if Jako is about. Well now there I go taking my lid off.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/10/30/the-reasons-why-ben-brown-is-eyeing-up-melbourne-move/

smith was a dud overrated pensioner dodged a bullet mere shadow of his former self not worth 3 years or the money etc etc now i feel better

People do change their mind. I don't blame the Dr at all. I am happy to get info during trade week as I have a boring life.

Nah [censored] it Moon, lids off! The Weid comment is interesting. He absolutely has the potential to kick 40 goals. By the time he had played 10 games this year he had already kicked 18 goals. In a normal 22 game season, he's on track to a potential 40 goal season. In the last 3 games he went goaless, but that's something I hope weid can build over the summer period.

The agressive, compeditive nature of Spargo was one of the things which attracted us to him in the first place and the main thing which kept getting him selected in his first season in 2018. I'd argue his good kicking (particularly for goal) has also been a past feature of his best attributes. My assessment is that this year he brought himself back to the standard he set for himself to start with after a bad case of second tear blues last year. Supporters these days are so impatient and unforgiving, it's like one bad season or if you aren't dominating by your second you are out of h

Recruiting Ben Brown is absolutely central to our fortunes next year and beyond. I’m not that fussed losing out on Smith in part because there are viable alternatives. We have no alternative to Brown. Hoges attitude issues appear to be too much of a risk (which is a pity, I’m a big fan), Cameron and Daniher are moving elsewhere so its Brown or bust. I think playing the Burgess card is smart given his knee injury. I don’t see any “destination club” waiting in the long grass to gazump us ala Smith. I’m confident but I think this is one time I want to see the club pull out all the stops to g

Sure, but I'd argue Brown and a winger (or two) are absolute musts for us this off season. Vanders, ANB, Brayshaw or Baker on a wing next year means we're stuffed.

I have no love for the hawks but I got to say if I was them I’d be pretty p*ed off with Smith. They gave him the opportunity to win 3 flags was it too much to ask that he hang around to help mentor and guide the new generation. And to the Cats as well. The hawks hate the cats. Players who show loyalty are held in much higher esteem by supporters. He has sullied his legacy there big time. Very questionable motivation.

I don't take this as a slight on Melbourne - he's chasing success by going with the club he thinks is closest to the pin. Hawks offer wasn't much different to Geelong's, plus the whole club loyalty aspect, and he turned his back on them too. Hawks supporters I know even seem to have think they were actually offering him more money than Geelong too (not sure how true that is). That said, I personally don't get his motivation. He's had success, he's got nothing to prove. Chase the paycheck or stay with your mates, but why move to Geelong just to look for a cheap flag to add to the coll

It was a rookie error by Evil to be so adamant re his mail. Always leave yourself some wriggle room. As for Geelong ? Was it the oldest GF team in history ? And they're just getting older with Higgins and Smith. Somewhat baffling. Oh how I'd love to beat them in a final again at the G in 2021 and watch Smith trudge off.

I hope you're right, if only for the reaction from Picket Fence.