mo64

It's not like for like. Baker has played in the backline all year.

On talent alone, I'd chase him big time. But given his transgressions and battles with mental health, I'd be cautious. Plus he's not a free agent, so he wouldn't come cheap trade wise. The Dogs have re-signed everyone else of note. If they're prepared to take on Lobb's $750k, then their cap would be tight. Maybe Smith will fall through the cracks, but I can't see it happening.

It's also naive for Gus to think that a new club will keep him in a midfield role long term, if his performance or the team results are not going as planned. It's seems like one of his suitors in Essendon are a classic example. They've had a midfield merry-go-round over the past 2 seasons. Certain midfielders can't play another role (Shiel, Parish, Merrett, McGrath) so their match committee will say to Gus "we know you are a proven half back, we need you to play there for team balance."

And you do realise that the established good player has to agree to be traded, and want to come to Melbourne the club and city.

I think you'll find that there's quite a few half backs on over 700K+. If you are considered an elite distributor off half back, then clubs will pay big bucks. Off the top of my head, Whitfield, Saad, Lloyd, Rich and Hurn would be in that bracket. Brodie Smith would be on good coin at the Crows. I'm sure Maynard, who was due to be a free agent this year, would have re-signed on good money. And it won't be long for Young to be in that bracket.

That's pretty close to the mark I reckon. Plus steak knives Meek.

I'm not against Gus playing some midfield minutes, but you don't make the move because a player is disgruntled. A match committee that's goal is to win a flag, isn't going to make allowances for a player who's considering his future. If Gus' future considerations are to maximise his football earnings by playing as a midfielder, that's not in the best interests of the team.

I'm impressed how you have the time to do all this and be a news presenter.

Jack Viney was in the same position, and there were plenty of Demonland posters that were prepared to let him go. I consider Viney and Gus as equally important to the fabric of the club.

This reminds me of the all conquering Bombers of the mid '80s. After winning the 84 and 85 premierships, they traded away 2 heart and soul players in Bradbury and Carey for big name players in Raines and Michael Richardson. They went into freefall. Gus is a heart and soul player. He's more important to the team than just a draft pick or a fictitious forward/ruck from another club.

You do realise that if we lose Gus as a Free Agent, then we don't get a compensation pick if we get a Free Agent into the club, who's in the same wage bracket. So there goes your idea of getting a compensation pick and McStay.

Good question. After a good win, I'll generally watch the replay more than once. Can honestly say that Rd 1 against the Dogs and the Brisbane game were the only times I've felt like we've played a full game, and bothered watching the replay on multiple occasions. I'm naturally a glass half empty person, and hated when the media and Demonland posters were suggesting we could go undefeated. Disappointed that we haven't blooded JVR and Laurie. The Port game was an ideal chance. All year we've played a quarter or sometimes half a quarter of exhilarating football, then seem to get comfortable with ourselves. Not confident going into the last 4 games. Anything bar a flag seems like a wasted year.

You are kidding right? Gus is likely to finish top 3 in the BnF as the season stands. You'd prefer a draft pick in the early 20's after F/S and academy picks? Bowey, Rivers and Hunt don't play anything like Gus in defence. Use the pick to lure key forwards you say. Like Who? At the start of the year I would have agreed with you, but Gus is important to this team on and off the field.

I think the whole "Gus wants midfield time" is nonsense. Over the past 2 seasons we've seen players change clubs and the narrative was that they would get midfield time. Zac Williams and Jye Caldwell were both given midfield time at their new clubs, but it didn't take long for their new clubs to realise that they were a liability in that role. The Bombers were playing Caldwell in the middle and using Merrett off half back. Unsurprisingly, since Merrett has gone back as a permanent mid, the Bombers have started winning games. If a club is using that as a selling point to Gus, then you would have to question their professionalism.

Hmm. I don't want to rob you of your last dollar. Let's just make the bet over our reputations on this site. In my case, that is probably worth less than a Zimbabwean dollar.

Is that an Australian Dollar or Zimbabwean Dollar?

Free Agency opens up a week after the G/F. Gus is saying that he'll make a decision after the season ends, so should we win the G/F, he'll do it in the midst of Premiership celebrations. Highly unlikely. It's never a good sign when a player comes out with what Gus said in the interview. If he's committed to staying, usually the player will say that there's just a few loose ends to tie up, but he'll stay.

Just like the BS that he'd already bought a house in Perth. You can believe what you like. I couldn't care less.

I've just retracted my "like". Your sources are miles off the mark. Care to share what connection your sources have to Gus?

Then why doesn't every Victorian kid that wants to come home, say they are open to go to the club that has the most draft capital to offer. These deals are orchestrated well in advance. And who knows, Jackson may be like Buddy and end up at the club that no one suspected. I haven't been told he's going to Freo.

Because they're of a private matter.

I didn't say he is homesick. As for wanting to play for Freo, I'd say that West Coast would find it harder to free up cap space in the short term to meet his asking price. And I'm sure Freo were in his manager's ear as a possible trade for Cerra. There are a couple of factors in play as to why he wants to return to Perth. Neither of which involve the Melbourne FC. I'll leave it at that.

Stop stealing Ethan Tremblay's thunder!!!

If Jackson has decided he's leaving, and my mail which details his reasons for returning home, then it won't be subject to a suitable trade. Jackson doesn't have any issues with the club, but if he feels strongly enough that he wants to return home, then re-signing with us for another 2 years won't be an option. A deal will get done, even if both parties may not be 100% happy with the end result.

I agree that his output was decent, and deserves a game next week hopefully with BBB. But the elephant in the room with Weid is his lack of competitiveness at the contest, and that was still on show against the Dogs. Goody wasn't enraptured with Weid's game, and no doubt it was for the same reason. He's been in the system long enough, so his physical development shouldn't be an issue. As others have mentioned, what's impressive with JVR is that he's hard at the contest. He didn't have a great game for Casey, but he was still putting his body on the line at marking contests. To say he's a whipping boy is nonsense. He's been in and out of the side his whole career, so clearly our match committee aren't satisfied with his output. The criticisms of him on Demonland are warranted.