At the break of Gawn

I'd rate our trade period an A alongside the Saints and Lions.

Kane flip flops all the time to just suit his own narrative. Imagine if we make finals next year and Blues are bottom 4, he'll say how Guerra and King are geniuses for blowing the place up while Carlton have let down Cripps etc for not moving on Voss. Yet no one will pull Cornes up on what he said 12 months ago which opposes this.

I'm actually more worried about May being around next year than Trac or Oliver. I think he absolutely needs to go for this cultural reset.

I for one actually believe that the meeting (which was at Clarry's manager's office) was actually centered on his on-field role and the flexibility that King wants his midfielders to possess. However, I don't think Clarry has the emotional intelligence nor self-esteem to take on this feedback in a professional manner. Instead he takes it completely personal, gets defensive, blames others (like the club), and throws insults instead of taking any responsibility.

I haven't seen much mention of a future first pick. What if the Suns offer us pick 6, 17 and and their future first? Mind you their future first is likely to be in the teens. I really hope we don't go for that because I'd love to get Humphrey but surely future firsts or second will come into the equation? Also, wouldn't Jason Taylor be heavily involved in these discussions if the Suns start just offering us picks? You'd think JT would have to have someone earmarked in the top 10 that he believes will be a good player. There's no point Lamb coming to him and saying I've got you picks 6 and 7 and then JT saying, 'Well that's great but the players likely to land there aren't going to suit us".

Does 6 and 7 get it done?

I find it amusing how some posters are worried about Clarry or Trac getting back to their best or becoming even better. The major flaw in both their games is their ability to use the ball. I honestly can't recall too many players who've made significant improvement in their kicking over their careers. Once a poor kick, you're usually always a poor kick. So unless Trac or Clarry learn to kick like Errol, they'll just be your average accumulator who continue to make poor decisions and skill errors by foot.

I understand that King, Guerra, Lamb etc are all thinking about the best interests of the club, but when you lose arguably 2 of your most liked players amongst the fan base (Pickett and Gawn probably the most liked) you're going to see a dip in membership. If we start with a similar 0-5 next year with another bottom 8 finish, I can almost guarantee you we'll have the smallest membership number in Vic by the end of 2026.

Probably one of the worst videos I've ever seen

If this interview had only been a few hours later we could have got a good insight on Oliver...

I'm taking Rivers over Viney

Why isn't Viney being told the same thing if we're completely looking to revamp our Midfield?

I'm not sure if there was much truth at all to Trac's own narrative about trying to improve the club and professionalism. It's actually very ironic because Petracca's professionalism was questioned for a number of years when he first got to the club and it was Goodwin that played a major part in getting his off-field professionalism 100% which turned him into such a powerful midfielder. Since Petracca's trade request at the end of 2024, the club has sacked the President, CEO and Coach. I reckon Guerra is telling the truth when he said he was surprised, because the club has moved mountains after Petracca's tantrum at the end of 2024.

This is exactly what I want to hear. If he goes, so be it, but we must be adequately compensated.

So given that Trac met with Melb the end of last week I would think that meeting wouldn't have included King given he would have been focused on the GF? Just think it speaks volumes of his desire to exit if he hasn't even sat down with King.

I'm pretty indifferent on Trac staying or going. With a new reign beginning under King, I can see an upside on both sides of the equation. I certainly won't lose any sleep about Melbourne's most expensive butcher becoming Adelaide's most expensive butcher. What I do care about is a fair deal. Lamb will no doubt focus on Petracca's past achievements compared to his future potential when it comes to negotiations. I can't see a deal being done unless there's a player component if I'm being honest. Did you know Josh Worrell is from Vic? 😅

My point is that he's not some superstar talent we're letting go through the door with you calling it a "terrible result for the footy club". I actually think AMW would've overtaken him next year anyway.

Got no coaches votes this year. Average player rating of just 6.3 (career highest average rating of 9.2 in 2024) You are really overrating him here. And before you say he's a 3rd year player, Will Ashcroft is also in his 3rd year.

Wow, so much outrage for a guy who even if he played all 23 games wouldn't have finished top 10 or top 15 in our BnF this year. Let him go to Freo. I would be surprised if he starts in their 22 by round 1. He's not a dashing half back, his decision making is too slow as a midfielder, and as a small defender I've seen him be toweled up by Rankine and Higgins far too many times See ya Judd.

Anyone see Scott's post match presser? Started his own monologue before any questions, again alluded to "extenuating circumstances", "challenges within the playing group" blah blah blah which none of it he would not elaborate on. Almost the exact same way he spoke about the 2021 prelim loss. Since 2013, Geelong are 1 flag from 9 prelims. Since 2012: Flags won: Geelong 1, Melbourne 1. Scott may be a terrific home and away coach but he's got nothing on Clarkson or Hardwick when it comes to finals.

It was refreshing to hear Goody admit this, however I think part of our problem in some ways was how dominant our finals series and the age of our list. We made basically 0 list changes at the end of 2021 and there was basically no new players to come in with new hunger to win a flag. We rested on our laurels in a whole club sense. Geelong made significant list changes after their 2022 premiership (albeit some forced due to age) to a point where there 2025 team is almost unrecognisable to their 2022 team. Even Mitchell said in his presser after the prelim that they have to keep innovating because if they don't, they'll finish bottom 10 next year. Melb of 2021 did a Blockbuster. Geelong of 2022 did a Netflix.

I hope Steven King has already asked Selwyn to get a high performance program going like this.

I suspect it's because Melbourne's list management is actually open to the right trade. It's all in a holding pattern anyway until King comes on board.

Unbelievable effort by Brisbane to make 3 consecutive grand finals. What a time to be alive to be a Brisbane supporter. Especially when they won it last year. As a supporter you could probably just enjoy the week much more this time and not feel as anxious. Pies will slide out of the 8 next year. They went all in this year with their list and fell short. If Hill, Miocek and Elliot all go, I'd almost tip them to be bottom 6.