Wiseblood

I can understand the frustration at this. If you haven't signed up for it seems rather strange that it's something that is now automatically occurring. I'd definitely give the club a call and double check all of that. It could be an oversight - as in, it ended up in everyone's email even if you don't have it set up - or they have just made the change and not told you, which isn't good enough if that's the case.

@old dee @layzie @Moonshadow You guys all make some great points in your posts. I totally understand that some place great importance on going to the games as a reason for their membership. I also see that the financial aspect for some will be far more difficult than it was in previous years, and that a membership (or multiple memberships) may not be something they can commit to in 2021. I wouldn't blame anyone for taking a step away from it for a year or two with everything that has gone on this year. So, for me, I am not expecting anything from the club as they will have their financial problems as well (even though it sounds like we have come out quite well on the other side of COVID) and I'll still be able to back the club as I have done in the past, regardless of what footy looks like next year. But then I would not blame anyone for not buying a membership if they aren't in a position to do so.

I think this is going to be the case, simply because of the four year deal he is still on. A club would have to really see something in him to take that on board. On the flip side, I don't dislike the deal he has and I still think he can be a good contributor going forward IF he is played in the right positions. With the emergence of Rivers you would hope the experiment across half back has come to an end.

I was resigned to missing finals after the Freo loss, so even if we win tomorrow and miss out, it won't be unexpected. We had the opportunity to cement a spot in the eight and basically render this last round game a moot point as we would have already secured a finals spot, but we don't like doing things the easy way. It's always the hard way as a Melbourne supporter.

I can only speak for myself, OD, but I buy a membership to support the club. While they have given me plenty of lows, they have also given me plenty of great memories, and I will continue to buy my memberships (two of which are for my parents who aren't alive anymore) as I love the club. If I can't go to games then so be it - it's not the clubs fault that COVID happened the way it did and stopped us from going to the footy. Of course, it would have been great to take my five year to her first few games this year, but that can hopefully happen next year. Again, I am only speaking for myself, but with my Kayo subscription I was happy as I could watch all games that way. I don't expect any kind of discount from this year as it was something that was out of the clubs hands. If we had finished last with no wins... then that might be different. But I get my money's worth every year by supporting the club from home or from the stands. Makes no difference to me. And yes, I am happy to be 'rusted on [censored]' like yourself. :)

I get that, OD. But I can't see it happening. It's a good idea, but I can only see Kayo or the AFL itself offering a discount to their services. I'm not sure how the club can get around the deals already in place to just stream their own games.

Yeah I remember that. Offering something similar next year wouldn't be a bad idea. If you can't go to games then there would be plenty of people willing to sign up for the service.

Which you would be able to do with a Kayo subscription. They have every game one there, and offering a monthly discount for the entirety of the AFL Season (or just offering a cheap subscription that just offers AFL games) would make sense.

The AFL should do that anyway if there are still no crowds allowed at games come late March. They should work with Kayo in offering a discount throughout the footy season.

I get five memberships and they auto renew each year. I've sometimes got two emails for each of those memberships around renewal time and I've never been debited twice. Happy to see the club is doing the price freeze. After the year we've had, it's probably the best they can do.

The problem I have with your position, Doc, is that you want to blame all the bad stuff on Goodwin, but give him absolutely no credit for when things have gone right. You're so blinded by your bias that you just want to pot Goodwin and, in the same breath, totally ignore anything positive he has done. Look at your stance on Oliver. How many players have come to an AFL club 'destined for greatness' and not made it? Plenty. You still have to be developed and nurtured and taught how to play like an AFL footballer. Oliver readily admits that he wasn't ready for that, but it took the coaches to talk him through it and model it for him to get it. I know this thread is about Tom McDonald - and I think his decline is as much to do with the injuries he suffered last year as it is on 'development' - but if you want to knock him for the bad stuff (and I won't stop you or argue some of those aspects), you need to acknowledge and give him due credit for the positive stuff as well. It works both ways.

Want to go a bit deeper then? Max Gawn is a two time All Australian and a two time best and fairest winner under Goodwin. He had an AA under Roos in 2016, but clearly kicked on and continued to develop after he left. Weideman hasn't developed? I'd love you to elaborate here. Both Harmes and Brayshaw have had their best seasons under Goodwin. I'll readily admit that their shift in playing positions has contributed to average seasons, but I would argue that was more down to where they played as opposed to their development. Clayton Oliver is a two time best and fairest winner and All Australian under Goodwin, who clearly continued to develop him after taking over from Roos. You conveniently left off the three rookies from this season as well. No doubt there are outliers - Tom Mac is one, although his injuries in 2019 have clearly had a massive effect on him - while other players hit patches of bad form or were played out of position. But to suggest so many players have had their development 'stall' under Goodwin is just plain wrong.

And they would be well within their rights to get stuffed.

It's an interesting one. Firstly, to see us linked to someone in the media means we are really in for them. We don't often get linked to many players, so when we do come up, it shows that we mean business. We aren't a Norf type where we throw cash at anyone and everyone. It's pretty clear that we identify a few targets and go after them. I think it's been a good strategy so far. On the one hand, Saad brings something to our side we are crying out for - run, dash and good foot skills. How good would it look to see him streaming through the guts off half back to hit Weideman on the chest 40 out? He would fit in perfectly in this regard. On the other hand, he is not well known for his defensive work, which is something Goodwin and our back six pride themselves on. Would he fit in there? Would he upset the chemistry we have down there in that regard? I think an early second rounder is about right. If the club think he is better than what is available in the draft, then I'd be happy with trading the second rounder we have for him... if that would turn out to be enough, and if he does decide to leave.

I think I'll be employing that now. I'll indulge you one last time. Yes, May is in career best form. Yes, Weideman is in career best form because he has been consistent. This is easily the most games in a row he has played. I'd rather this than one good game against Geelong. Yes, Petracca is in career best form and he has slowly continued to develop over those last six years. And of course I bring up the draft picks. They have clearly been nurtured and developed since arriving to the point where they can contribute, and contribute well, in our senior side. And by the way, I have no idea why you go off on your rants all the time. The rest of your post has nothing to do with the point you were trying to make - you claimed a few players had not improved or gone backwards, and I showed you the other side of the coin. It doesn't mean I accept mediocrity or whatever you are peddling. Now, go back to bringing Clayton Oliver up in every thread. At least, at that, you were ever so slightly interesting.

True, although you could have said the same of Bennell 12 months ago. Lions will get him cheap and can therefore have a free swing in getting him right. The only difference to us is that their deal is multi year, while ours was a one year contract for Bennell.

What about those who have improved? Steven May has easily been in career best form. Trac has been in career best form. Sam Weideman has continued to improve. Ed Langdon has arrived and continued to improve and be an instrumental part of the side. Our three picks this year have all come into the side to play senior footy, and all three have looked very good. Michael Hibberd has also had a terrific year. I mean, sure, some have had off years, but there are plenty of other examples of improvement.

According to the Herald Sun, Cockatoo has been offered a multi year deal by Brisbane and is odds on to end up there.

I take it you're a Mumford fan, LT?

On talent and age, you're probably right. But for what we can 'afford', and for what we really need, I still think Gunston would fit us better. For what it's worth, I can't see the Pies moving Stephenson on.

Pies just kicked one to back in front. De Goey is the difference. Has kicked 4 and set up the last one.

Suns having a red hot go here.

Three main 'forward' type targets have come up over the last few days. Gunston Wingard (I class him more of a half forward than a mid) Stephenson. If I had to choose, I'd go with Gunston right now. I think Stephenson would want good money and the Pies would want something very good in return for him, which I don't think we can match right now. Gunston to me is the most gettable of the three, and could not only add some class but also some Jordan Lewis like experience to our forward half.

LH mentioned above that it cost them pick 15, 35 and Burton. If they're giving up on him after two years then I'd stay away as he is clearly damaged goods and the Hawks would want something decent in return to make up for their loss. A no from me.

Here is part of what Slobbo said about it: Giants big man Shane Mumford came under MRO scrutiny and social media angst after a typically robust performance against Melbourne. He was even called a sniper by a caller on 3AW on Sunday. Have to disagree. If that had been a Melbourne player he would have condemned him and asked for a 5 week sanction.