Mickey

Just received a member's email from Gary Pert saying the club is beginning the process of selling the Bentleigh Club. 'I am writing to inform you of the club’s decision to commence the process of selling the Bentleigh Club. This is a significant decision for Melbourne Football Club and one which has been made following an exhaustive evaluation process over the past 12 months. Having explored all options it was clear that the best outcome for Melbourne’s long-term financial viability was to sell the Bentleigh Club. The proceeds of the sale will allow the club to establish a future fund, which will secure the long-term future of Melbourne and replace the income currently generated by gaming. Financially, we are in the strongest position we have ever been in our long history as a club and this is a crucial step in solidifying this financial security, without the need for support from gaming related venues. The decisions to sell the Leighoak in 2018, and now Bentleigh Club, have been based on securing the best long-term financial outcomes for the club, but it is also pleasing that this has completely removed the club’s reliance on gaming related income. Melbourne’s association with the Bentleigh Club commenced in 1996, with the club officially acquiring the Bentleigh Club in 2011 when the venue was operating at a loss and experiencing a growing debt obligation. As part of the agreement to take over operations, we agreed to repay the Bentleigh Club’s then debt of 3 million dollars and committed to investing in the operations of the venue to return the club to profitability, while maintaining Bentleigh Club member entitlements. We agreed to operate the venue until at least August 2022. Any sale of the venue will be settled after this date, to ensure we fulfill this commitment, and the Bentleigh Club will remain operational until that time. It is important we acknowledge the past Melbourne Boards and Administrators who worked tirelessly to return the Bentleigh Club to profitability. A special mention must be made of the Jim Stynes and Don McLardy led Boards who had the foresight to secure the Bentleigh Club back in 2011. Without their vision we certainly would not be in the position we are in today, with the opportunity to sell the venue and ultimately set the club up for the future. While the sale of the venue is the right decision for Melbourne, we understand it will be a disappointing outcome for current members of the Bentleigh Club. We are committed to providing these members with alternative arrangements at similar venues should they wish to do so. We will continue to keep you up to date throughout the course of the process and will let you know when a sale is achieved. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you for your support and commitment to the Dees. Whilst our non-football related investments have contributed to our strong financial position, we could not be where we are without the ongoing support and loyalty of our members and supporters. Go Dees!'

Have been worried about this game all day, given Essendon's supposed good form. Then checked who they've beaten. Collingwood, Hawthorn, Freo. WC in Perth their only good win, but have lost to Richmond, Blues and GWS. Feeling we should get it done now

It's Jones

He's the sub.

Tom Morris doing his utmost to drive up Weid's value... In an article about GC offering their 1st pick for established players Melbourne has the highest rated out of contract key position player on its books in Sam Weideman, while other lesser valued forwards such as Taylor Walker and Mason Cox are also without deals for 2022. Pick 3 would be too heftier price for the latter two, but the Demons rate Weideman supremely and would surely not lose him for any less.

They've been great, especially to provide the perspective we sometimes lose after a loss. It's been a great start to the year, but the team seem to realise they haven't accomplished anything yet. The hard work continues all the way to September

Tom Morris reporting Zach Merrett has re-signed for 6 years

Bet TMac doesn't...

I also think we'll win 6-3, but wouldn't be surprised if we pinch a tough one and lose one we shouldn't.

Not directly AFL related but the VFL resumes this weekend and, in classic VFL fashion, Casey have the bye...

Not happening, according to his manager https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/department-of-trade/afl-trade-news-rumours-whispers-2021-adam-cerra-carlton-jack-billings-contract-free-agents-list/news-story/b58b3cc71f708f27139167e87e9754c6 MAYNARD CLAIM CATEGORICALLY DENIED Brayden Maynard’s management has categorically denied there is any truth to AFL great Brad Hardie’s claims the gun defender will request a trade out of Collingwood at year’s end. Hardie made the sensational claim on 6PR radio this week that Maynard “will be playing for the Melbourne Football Club next year” despite the 24-year-old being contracted to Collingwood until the end of 2022. Maynard’s manager, Tom Petroro of TLA, told foxfooty.com.au there was categorically no truth to Hardie’s comments. Coming off a career-best season in 2020, Maynard is once again proving a vital part of Collingwood’s back six and played a decisive role in the side’s upset win over Melbourne on Monday. He’s set to become an even more significant part of the side’s defensive setup with news teammate Darcy Moore will likely miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

It might be best for Sam and the club that he moves on. We get a second round pick in and hopefully find a young key forward to develop. If he does move to Collingwood, the pressure is only going to increase

Needs match fitness. If there's no VFL, then maybe. If the VFL is back after the bye, then he needs a week

What a win!

They've only lost 4 last quarters all year.

Then St Kilda should have an F. An unmitigated disaster for a team that was supposed to be topping up for a flag.

The 150k gets bandied about but from what Daisy has said, she's not asking for 150k to play 10 weeks of footy. She would also work at the club in some capacity. Not sure what that would be but it sounds like the club is willing to give it a shot

Interesting aside in the Gus and Gawny podcast. Max was going to talk about the draft, gus told him to shhh, max asked if we were still interested in werribee, Benny Gibson gave a very quick no

He's 183cm. I was meaning someone closer to 188-190cm.

Would love if we could find a big bodied midfielder. Tom Greene's brother is in the draft, but not sure where he'll go or if he's any good. But a taller, strong midfielder who can immediately replace Viney when he's having his 5-6 week breaks would be nice

Predictability is key. It's one of the reason we moved on Frost-ball.

Reckon it's a mixture of a huge win and the loss last week. There is just not enough Dees content out there

Yep, reckon this is more likely than Canberra, unfortunately for me

Wasn't he referring to Langdon and the dogs player? Just saying both subs were for a head knock

Trac on channel 7 now. Jeez, he's matured in the last year or so. Never saw him as captain material but he may be now