M_9

David King last night reeled off half a dozen players, either delisted by their clubs or told to explore their options, who were taken late in the draft by another club. He included Billings. Not one success story. I just can't see Billings, McAdam or Fullarton getting a regular gig. And then we have Laurie, Adams, Sestan, Verrall, Kentfield and now Tom Campbell. Spargo has a lot of ground to make up. Hore is only ever going to be back-up. That's close to 25% of our list. I don't want Freddy Kruegar. Nor do I want Membrey.

Tim, IMO, has remained very restrained in answering Sam Manure's questions. I would have said "Sam, you've banged on about Clayton being desperate to get to the Cats for two weeks. If you'd listened to Andrew Mackie you would have heard that it was Clayton's manager who contacted Geelong believing that a change of club would be in his (Clayton's) best interest. Given that the manager would have picked up a tidy commission on a new contract, it certainly would have been in his interest for Clayton to move to Geelong."

9 looks taller than 5 to me. More rounded also.

CEO. I've no doubt that BC would operate by the letter of the (AFL) law as regards player payments but if there are any loopholes, and I've no doubt there are, he'd find them. An example would be the prospect of Clarry going to Geelong and taking a pay cut. I mean, really?

Brian Cook is a very good operator. If anyone can 'restructure' player payments he can.

Given that he's got a year to run at the Blues now is not the time. May ask about his future intentions but I doubt he'll know. Pretty sure he was hesitant to commit to three years with the Blues. Right now is the busiest time of the year for the likes (life) of Brian.

I know Brian quite well. I think he and his wife Claire are keen to travel. They've only been able to have brief stints OS the past few years. He's also keen to spend more time with family. He has a soft spot for the Dees as he started his senior football with our U19's. IMO he be a great get for a board position or similar. He would similarly have been ideal for a position on the review panel had he been available. Both Brian and his mentor, the late Frank Costa, resurrected the GFC leading to their 2007 flag. As a football administrator he has no peer.

If the recruitment of this bloke means JvR spends 100% of his TOG in the forward line, I'm all for it.

The meeting, from my reading, was organised by his manager. His motivation would have been money in his (the manager's) pocket. The Cats would be an easy sell: your own hectare or ten of land (in your parents' name), new cars courtesy of [dealer's name withheld] motors for all family members, sensational training facility a short drive from your farm, 40k lunatic fans cheering for you in our stadium every second week etc. As I've reported, I know how the club operates. I know the legacy that Frank has left.

According to Andrew Mackie Geelong was contacted by Oliver's manager who thought it might be in Clayton's best interest that he move to another club. Bear in mind that his manager would pick up 5% of a new contract. Tim Lamb said Clayton was not shopped around. I believe him. I do not believe Pert made phone calls as McClure claims.

TBH I know nothing of PL's gripe. He's obviously determined to get a position on the board, and the current board appears equally determined that he doesn't. There must be a reason for the opposition to him from the likes of Pert et al. I guess if I'd taken the time to read his policy statement I'd know. But I didn't, so I don't.

Agree. We don't know if there are strings attached and, if so, what they might be. I wouldn't want PL's money if a condition was 'Oliver goes'.

Unfortunately I think it's locked in that we get their second round pick (currently 25). We won't get their first pick (4). We may get steak knives (they currently have picks 42 and 60).

There were a number of 'incidents' that had a marked impact on our performance this year viz losing Gus, JS29 stuffing up, no, or limited preseason for Clarrie and Melky, losing Trac, and yes, some ordinary recruiting. In an even competition there'd be 17 years between flags. Methinks that you might be better off following a comp where there were, say, only 10 teams. My local team (one of 10 in the league) has won the last two flags and has lost only 5 games in the last three years. They're easy to follow. No need for me to demand higher standards.

A reflection of our lack of depth?

Much discussion on this forum how much we missed Gus, Trac when injured, etc. We underestimated the importance of Milkshake IMO.

Mine died mid-Gus

I don't understand your question. Harold's son Ian accrepted the award on his dad's behalf. I've known Ian for more than 40 years. He rarely misses a game, be it in Vic or interstate.I had no idea he is the son of Harold. Ian is 70ish. His dad would have passed away some years ago.

I understand what you're saying but IMO the Neeld years when we won a total of four (?) games saw a room full of very unhappy supporters.

I think many posters are confusing tonight's event with the AGM. The B&F is tightly scripted. It begins with highlights of the first six rounds and vote totals are posted. A number of awards are presented eg Jim Stynes Community involvement award etc. Very short speeches. Another six rounds of highlights and votes. A meal break. More presentations and a speech by the Pres. It'll be very positive without controversy I suspect. More highlights and votes. More presentations - best first year player etc. Goodwin's speech - all positive, nothing controversial. Final rounds and tallies. I've attended more than a dozen going back to the nineties (run at Melbourne Town Hall with about 300 in attendance). That includes the Neeld years - a very depressing few years but you wouldn't have known it as the B&F was all positives. Previous years have seen the club song sung with gusto at the end. Not sure that will happen tonight. I can't see a donnybrook breaking out. Any attempt by an attendee to ask a question will be shut down.

I wouldn't go that far. I will say that Frank had no option but to broker deals lest he be found 'sleeping with the fishes'.

I've lived in the Geelong region for more than 40 years. Most of my mates are long time Cats' members, and a few belong to coterie groups. I know the families of a couple of the players as I taught the sons. I receive quite a bit of intel relating to the GFC. If Geelong wants a player, they'll get him. Money talks. I have no doubt that one of the attractions that the Cats offer is cash or 'product' - and heaps of it. Obviously outside the salary cap. A huge grocery supplier, a large car dealer et al. throw $millions at the club. Jobs and cars to family members, and on it goes. When their former CEO was courted by Carlton, Costa doubled his salary. If Geelong wants Clarrie, and he wants out, only the MFC holding him to his contract will prevent it.

Having attended countless B&F's I can tell you that it's not the forum where any of the above issues will be raised. The night is purely a forum to recognise the achievements of individual players.

For the same reason Dogs' supporters were happy to see him go. Best to ask one of them, if you know any. As mentioned, our mods will be keeping a close eye on this thread. For good reason.

Agree on both counts. I’ve NFI who polled second most votes for the Blues.