Jarka

This is NOT the year for a clean out. With all the GWS picks and the fact that the draft is very shallow we should not have a big clean out, we might also want to upgrade a couple of rookies as well so we have to take that into account. Minimal changes this year, next year is the year for big changes if we want to go down that path, there'll be much more talent available deep into the draft.

I agree rpfc. I have no idea if it had an effect on the players, you'd have to ask them but it would be minimal at most. I would of thought the biggest impact it would have had was the media interviews with Dean Bailey throughout the year. Let's not forget that it's Scully's right as a player if he wishes to wait until the end of the year to consider his offer from the club. Other players are allowed to make that decision and he shouldn't be forced into something because it's seen as 'best for the club.' Of course he could still decide to go to GWS, it's his life to choose what he wants to do but he shouldn't be forced into anything because a bunch of supporters are feeling anxious.

IF we lose Scully then a player like Gaff would be a nice replacement, I have a lot of time for him. The tier 1 compensation will come in very handy with negotiating a trade. Edit: That's a big IF by the way, I'm now swaying to the 'I think he'll stay' side. Mind you at first I thought he'd go, then I changed my mind and then changed it again, now take this sentence and multiply it by 6.

Our list no longer requires a major overhaul, we just need subtle changes to fill the gaps, but we also need to keep as many of our older players as possible (who play regular games, of course) to protect our kids. We all know Sylvia's strengths and weaknesses, he can be a match winner but he can also be fairly poor. I always thought though that we'd see the best of Sylvia when he wasn't one of our top 3 players, and when our current quality kids finally mature (ie Scully, Trengove, Watts etc) then Sylvia's true value will be shown. To me he's an 'icing on the cake type', not someone who provides the grunt work like McKenzie, Moloney, Jones etc.

Strangely H, I agree with regards to the 'care factor' rating.

What an absolute goose

I now find it very difficult to actually sit down and watch us play. I don't know if I expect too much or if I've severely overrated our 'stars', but seriously, it's difficult to swallow. I know we're down on confidence and all that crap but some of the things I see our players do now just amazes me, and not in a good way. One thing on Tom Scully, is he low on confidence, struggling with injury or just going through the motions?

Not sure if true but apparently Chris Anstey tweeted on twitter that he was told 12 months ago that Eade would not get a new contract and they were going to sign up Leon Cameron. saving money was the big motivating factor. Apologies if someone has already mentioned this, also, I have a twitter account but I hate it and can't be arsed logging in and searching for the comment, I am pretty sure that Anstey is a big Doggie fan though. Nothing like rumour and innuendo on a Friday afternoon...

I didn't read the article, Darcy is not someone who I respect as having a good footy brain in the media, I try to stay away from his stuff as much as possible. I agree that the average mug fan doesn't have a clue about what happens in a footy club and I definitely fit into that category. It just seems to be a uninspiring choice due to his history. Effectively Eade has been 'sacked' by two clubs, at the Doggies he had an extremely good list to play with and then Roos turned the Swans around and produced a premiership. Ok, so was that coincidence or something else? What's happened at the doggies for them to come to this conclusion? They watch him every day, they know everything about him and they still decided to let him go. A club doesn't make these decisions just for the sake of change, what do they know that we don't? Of course I've heard a rumour for the reason and if true it may explain it and paint Eade in a much better light. At the end of the day whoever Melbourne picks I'll 100% support, and if it is Eade then I'll probably start to see all the positives and forget about my concerns

If Melbourne were to appoint Eade then I think my response would be pretty flat, it really wouldn't be a choice to inspire confidence with me.

He's being smart byt staying away from this thread (I'm not though). Seriously though, it's amazing how people continue to have the same circular arguments, I'm in awe of their stamina.

Ox isn't lying at all, he's probably just been given false information. Everytime a journalist opens their mouth you have to ask yourself, why are they doing this? The answer to all of them is to further their career, they want to be though of as having the inside word because it will give them more opportunities work wise in the future, they don't give a flying #### about anything else, they're only interested in their own brand. I believe Tom because he had no reason to lie, he may still end up deciding to go to GWS but it's his decision, your stamina on this issue is truly amazing.

While people are just blindly throwing around accusations I may as well add to the debate, had a conversation with one of Tom's ex teachers. He said that he hadn't spoke to Tom at all however he believes that he'll stay, this was based on his character, a very level headed kid who isn't driven by money. Thsi guy believes that Tom is also extremely loyal and he will want to repay Melbourne's faith in selecting him. This is just someone's opinion but it needs to be included with all the muck throwing that's been going on all season. I think Tom's character has been unfairly questioned through all this.

Sugar Healy is a very smart businessman, we would be doing very well to get him onboard. I hear his son, Luke, is a pretty handy footballer as well...

I'm quite satisfied with the AFL's stance on tanking because if any club gets investigated then we will too. Let sleeping dogs lie

Jack, that is very good of you.

From memory, which is hazy at best, didn't the last time Sylvia's contract came up it was touch and go with whether he wanted to stay or not. Can someone who has better memory than me confirm or dent this murky memory.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tom-scullys-future-a-secret-ryan-bastinac/story-e6frf9jf-1226076710819 Just wanted to add fuel to the fire, where are those marshmellows I had lying around?

I would be very careful in believing anything that Gerard Healy has to say about our club. Ever since he left he has hated the MFC and has always made negative comments about us.

I started laughing in the first quarter, it really was as bad as it gets. I've always been behind Bailey but after the last couple of weeks I just don't know.

You know what, after todays result I really don't care

How could it not be selfish to not play by the team rules? Bailey was trying to expand his options on the ground, McLean didn't want a bar of it, he sulked and decided to leave the club for 'more opportunities'. Those opportunities have all but dried up. Irony at it's most artistic best

Ah yes, the myth of McLean digging deep into his pockets to save the poor old struggling MFC....pigs arse, and it's amusing seeing so many people fall for it. McLean's 'donation' was the result of his breaking of team rules and the resultant leadership group's choice of his punishment. Nothing more, nothing less. The selfishness that I was referring to was the reason for his move as stated by himself at the time. Bailey was playing him in a negating role and he didn't like it, he was unable to let go of his huge ego and sacrifice his game and play for the team, he clearly felt that he was above Bailey's plans and was seduced by the Carlton offer of guaranteed game time and more money. Of course, the irony of all this is that hes had fewer opportunities at Carlton, and with their group of young platers coming through they will continue to decrease. It's also becoming less likely by the week that his contract will be extended over, they need the cap sapce for regular players who aren't injury prone.

It's a complicated issue, basically due to his selfishness he decided to leave the club, however his decision will end up benefiting the team in the future. He'll never be 'just another player' because of his defection, supporters will always treat him accordingly. But as I said he actually did us a favour, his body just isn't up to modern footy. Irony is a [censored]

Go you good thing!!! What a wonderful day for Cadel and Australian cycling, but now I'm going to have trade in my Trek for a BMC bike!!!! Wooohoooo!!!!