Rhino Richards

Sylvia wont be in Thompson's league but could still be a valuable footballer in the future for MFC. While I am always open to consider worthwhile trades, Sylvia has not done enough in his injury ridden career to command such value in the trading stakes.

No doubt Hannibal. This Club has spent 44 years disenfranchising its supporters and potential supporters. Its only through the establishment of enduring success on and off the ground that is going to save this Club and give it a chance to survive and compete.

I think world cricket will be interesting. I have been waiting for some years for indian cricket with its huge resources population wise and financial to really challenge Australia. The time is coming. BTW, what was going through Paul Collingwood's mind not to recall the NZ batsman clearly obstructed. Its far worse than anything the Australians have done and it was appalling sportmanship. Thank God they suspended him for slow over rates.

Correct Titan. The players voted on the leadership and voted that Rivers and Moloney were leaders and Robbo was not. That certainly sends a message.

Would the fact that Sandy are looking to their future beyond the MFC alliance and seeing what they can get out of their own stock? Of the players on the bench Yze, Maric and Cheney are coming off poor games last week and may the price. Carroll was not that good either. Newton had a poor game in Sandy 2nds. Suggest it will be Carroll, White, Cheney and Morton.

Exactly. I would add Whelan as a doubtful starter for next year. Agree with that.

If he cant get a game at MFC, he wont demand much at the trade table. His contract is up this year and may ping for the PSD. I think he is finished at MFC at the end of this year regardless.

Good explanation timD! I think the changes made by the player group are a positive and hopefully leads to an improvement of the club culture.

And the core of the list will have one year of experience under this program and have already weeded out the non leaders. So out of the current leadership group who are not leaders? I would have thought the changes effected are both sensible and cut out the party populars like Yze and Robbo who are not a leaders bootlace. If you have a leadership that is hit by mid season retirement (Neitz), crippling injury (Robbo) and lack of form (Yze) then where are your leaders???? And if a leader transgresses and lets the playing group down what bigger punishment is there than being dressed down by your peers? Not to mention any harsh treatment the player receives from CEO down to the Coach if the matter is serious.

You raise a good point. The players elected the leaders on the basis of who they believe are the leaders. They also make the changes to the leaders to remove those players who dont provide appropriate leadership. I think player ownership of the leadeship group appointment based on criteria set by the football department creates responsibility and accountability on both the leadership and voting group. The group that voted at the start of the year included 11 new players to the club with many others that have not much more experience. The fact that they have now reviewed and altered the group to reflect a truer group of leaders is a positive learning experience for such a young list. It hardly makes a mockery of the senior leadership group when the players have voted that their not the leaders!

You get that impression with Junior. Hard at it and honest. If he did not think he was pulling his weight he would be the first to put his hand and do the what he thought was best for the Club. A great model of effort and hard work for younger players.

I would think they would have been some of the messages Bailey would have be communicated from day 1 in the job. I have been impressed with how he has been focussed and true in deed and word from the start. Keep it going Dean.

You are right in principle. But what and at what level are serious offers likely to be given for player whose last 2 years have been wrecked by OP and is uncertain in recovery? I doubt anyone would offer good picks for him. If his injury means he would only get a 3rd round or less (if any) then I reckon its a line ball whether you would be better off retaining Rivers, getting him fit and seeing what he can deliver. Its a hard one. And he would not want to miss another year.

Absolutely spot on Nasher. Particularly out West where the WA clubs are well versed in what Carroll is like and chose not to recruit him years ago. He also has a poor reference profile amongst many of the Melbourne based AFL clubs. His name was placed on the trade table by CAC last year and other Clubs sniggered. If he is released by MFC at year end (I think his contract is up), he could try the PSD. But he should not have his hopes high. But on a better front, I hope Stef Martin really makes the most of his opportunities.

I understand they are both out of contract this year. It could be a little nudge then.

While his career is indeed not over, his future is indeed not certain and the recovery from OP is not clear. As AFL is getting quicker, game styles changing and is more demanding of players, I dont think there is any age that you can miss 1 year let alone 2 years of AFL. He would not want to blighted by OP for a 3rd year.

There is no doubt about this. IMO only Whelan has a chance to go on and that by no means is certain at this stage. I would not be surprised if Junior were to finish this year as well as he is not spending time in the midfield like he used to and IMO he has struggled (valiantly) all year.

AFI, The article was more interesting for the issues other than Rivers being put to pasture for the rest of the season. Its certainly refreshing that: 1. Leadership group is seen as an evolving unit to take into account the many factors that affect and influence a team. 2. The players who voted in the leaders at the start of the year are required to review the leadership group and consider their selections. 3. There appears reward for players who are genuinely seeking to lead others on the ground and not just get the leadership through number of games or age. 4. While naturally Neitz has been removed from the leaders group due to retirement, it is entirely sensible that Yze and Robbo have been removed by the players from the group. Hopefully that is a sign they are starting to recognise what is and what isnt leadership. This is a healthy indication of growing maturity amongst the playing group. Good reasons to watch the new leaders progress over the next nine weeks. Great stuff. Keep it going.

That seems unusual Roost. Why would he have been paid out so much money? Despite myths being circulated, his contract was not extended for 12 months last November. It was open ended. Harris was appointed in 2004. He was terminated in March 2008.

Thanks. I hope we also finalise the training base issue and VFL allegiance matter as well. Interesting times

Fair enough. Good luck with the wee problem. :D

As the players are empowered to pick the leadership group its big call to have Green not "good enough" to be a leader this year but could be captain next year. Big mover up the list. As has been pointed out on other threads, Lynden Dunn has an issue with the physical side of the game and has only recently returned to the MFC side from Sandy. I doubt under Bailey's criteria that the players will be provided with that Dunn would get up. The only certainties for leadership next year IMO are Brock and Miller. I doubt whether Junior has another year in and if so whether he can justify the form for Captain. Bruce could be a possible for a trade. Yze will be gone. Robbo must be doubtful. Rivers is subject to injury and I was surprised that Rivers was voted in by the players in the leadership group. What did he lack this year that will change this year. Green needs to impress the other players that he is a leader. I think he will get in.

Not for the right player. Carlton gave pick 3 as part of the Chris Judd deal. Also Richmond originally traded pick 8 to Freo for Polak and pick # 13. Trading has predominantly been focussed on talented NQRs that do not elicit top picks. If the quality player is there that fills a void in another team then they are likely to trade early picks to fill it

Some things never change. :D At least you spared readers an endless "wall of text". Good luck with the lego.

Its a good point. If we are so lacking in pace, I am reluctant to trade Davey unless it was a good deal. Davey strikes me as the sort of player who be more damaging if MFC were a more competitive side. Nevertheless, I still think temperament and engine are issues for him. And I cant see Essendon going hard for him. You can add Lovett and Lovett Murray to the list as well