hemingway

Wow what a narrow assessment. And said so emphatically !

Yet it is trading time and it was our own coach who said that all players were potentially trade able. Although given the story on Hogan........not everyone. Perhaps we should not take the coaches comments too literally but it does suggest that Roos has an open mind on our list. If you look at the Hawthorn template you can see what player attributes every coach must be seeking. .

Following a footy club like ours is all about hope. So we can dare to dream even if the dream is unrealized, as dreams are often symbolic of our hopes. None of us would be following our beloved old demons without continuing to hope for future success and a flag, Perhaps we are hoping for a miracle but miracles are sometimes realized. I enjoy the speculation because of what it represents. I have greater joy when the speculation is based on reality.

point taken boys.

agreed glory.one more year for me.

So true Lucifer. I really don't get too excited about these stories. The West Coast story has been known for a long time. Sure, there are plenty of clean footballers, however, the demands of the sport (read all professional sport), means that both illicit and prescription drugs have been taken for a long time (in the case of the VFL/AFL beginning in the 1970s with the use of anabolic steroids). Bulked up players have been around for a long time. There are differences in use starting with individual use moving to organized programs, but the use of drugs has been a part of the game for a long time. This is why the self righteous attitude of past AFL administrators that the sport was clean (Demetriou being the classic case) has been just pure b.............. and been about protecting the brand. Those in the game will continue to push the boundaries to seek a competitive advantage so drug use will not go away. Do I think that MFC players have taken stuff over the years, Absolutely, although perhaps not in any organized way sanctioned by club staff. Anyway, as you say Lucifer........"they weren't the only ones"

Agree CB. Would have given him another year, good depth player, and hard tough uncompromising, despite some skill deficiencies. Given some of the softies we have at the club, always hate seeing a hard nut get the flick. Hard to develop consistency when you are in and out of the side. The nature of selection is such that some players seem to be given a go and others not. Careers are made or broken on the whims of the selectors.

As I have said on another thread, I really feel this club is in good hands and the right decisions on trading and player management will be made.

I think this tells us something.

The silence from the club is intriguing but if we do land someone worthwhile, the silence will be further indication that the club is now a professional tight knit organization. Both on the football side and admin side. No leaks, no-one feeding the media with [censored] bits. We are no longer a laughing stock. We have had a year where the general impression is that this is now a tight lipped club going about its job off creating a long-term viable footy club. We have come a long way thanks to those now in charge.

Of course you do ivá. Given the consequences of a wrong prediction, your last wish is obvious I would have thought. Perhaps Roosy was smiling with the thought of getting away from Melbourne and landing the big fish in the waters off Hawaii. Of course if your prediction is right, you will go from martyr to hero straight away.

You have just raised the expectations of all demonlanders. I was getting depressed over the silence at Melbourne. Now I am excited. If this is a rumour and not fact, you will be tracked down and shot at dawn or slowly tortured.

From a straight footballing point of view I would take him in a heartbeat. He is a ball magnet and can play inside and outside. He would be an outstanding acquisition to the midfield. However, you have to weigh that up against the off-field issues and whether he is worth the risk. He is in the old language a larrikin who likes a drink.Is he the sort of guy that needs micro management with very clear boundaries. He seriously wants to play AFL footy and his skirmish at Zagames was a wake-up call. Having said that I have been told that he has no interest in Melbourne but would be happy to go elsewhere in particular the Pies. So the discussion is probably irrelevant.

Also find him an enigma. His best can be very good -attacking, line breaker, great mark, and rebound but at his worst -fumbles, makes mistakes, lacks effort or just goes missing. He is clearly a confidence player. When the team is up and about, Garlo can be a great asset, but when getting belted, he can be awful. He is not alone. If you believe as I do that we have a developing side and that more wins will come, Garlo will be an asset.

Not embarrassing. Shows that money is an important component but not the only one. Danger was probably ever only going to Geelong or remain at Crowland. He seems like a principled and honest person and had been in discussion with the Cats for some time. It is clear that he wants to return home making the Cats the logical choice. In a car congested city like Melbourne (quickly becoming the most unliveable city) why would you want to commute from the Bellarine Peninsula to AAMI park. Unless you were going to throw in a helicopter.

We seem to have so many on the non-playing side but this is probably true of all teams these days. Much more interested and concerned about our playing list and the trades and drafts coming up. This is where the improvement has to/will come from.

perfect summary BB.

Game analyst. Should have advertised the job on this site. Plenty of takers at half the price.

As has been stated by others, I don't really blame the players. Jeremy like all others is looking to set himself up financially. Given the mercenary nature of the market and also that of the clubs, who can blame the players. Just ask all the players recently delisted, As you point out, perhaps it is his managers fault. These guys are like real estate agents and will talk up a trade or sale for their own personal gain.

Best wishes to them all. They have at least played AFL football, a feat that most never achieve. To even make it onto an AFL list you have to be a very good footballer. To be a regular in an AFL side you need to be a great footballer.To be a star you need to be....well a star!. The fact is that very few blokes make it as far as these 4. They should be proud of their efforts and congratulated. It is not a time to bag players. They have done their best. Some are unlucky. Some for reason of ability, attitude or coaching decisions do not make it. However, they can always say they played in the big time. Not many can say that.

do you really listen to SEN old dee?

Mad keen Bomber mate is very happy to see him leave EFC. Says he is a very frustrating footballer. Acknowledged that he was tough as nails and good in the contest but let down by his deficiencies that include: -very inconsistent from week to week -poor decision maker -turnover king -poor disposal -dumb as d......(gratuitous) Given comments that the Demons want a team that play hard contested footy, this selection would make sense. However, the fact that he could not get a regular game at EFC and that they are happy to let him go says a lot about his future value. His alleged deficiencies are a concern particularly if we end up trading a guy with elite disposal skills.

Most people like Jack. The coach, players and most supporters. I like his loyalty, an underrated value in today's world. Everyone recognizes his talent & skills but has the same level of frustration about contested ball. With an improving group of players he could still be a great asset. On the other hand, if the club wants to make a statement about it's new culture and its hard headed attitude toward the non negotiable team attributes then a trade makes sense. Successful leaders and businesses make hard headed decisions based on the business rather than decisions influenced by sentiment or loyalty. Employees are not kept on the payroll because they have talent. They have to perform all the time, year after year. I suspect that this is where Roos, Jackson and the club are at with Jack. He is lovely guy with great talent but they have to make the best football/business decision for the club.

thanks Curry for making my day with your first sentence........... made me laugh for the first time today.

Feels flat to me, very flat. Always has, but particularly at the end of another winter and another unsuccessful footy season. There is just so much spin out there.