Goodvibes

Definite possibility. I can see all of Bate, Warnock and Dunn being given second chances at other clubs.

Clearly whoever is captain in 2012 will be warming the seat for Jack Viney in 2013.

Does the presence of a 'like' button and most people's natural desire to be liked result in a greater degree of groupthink?

It's sure to be a strange atmosphere - genuinely bitter sweet with the gloom surrounding a poor season, a sacked coach and departing young star meeting the optimism generated by the appointment of a popular new coach all set against the backdrop of a seriously ailing and much loved president. The club is at a genuine crossroads (when hasn't it?) and the tone of the B & F will reflect this. Wish I could be there.

It's appointments like these that should make those who've chucked in their hard earned to help this club feel good about their contribution. It is making a difference and that difference will be felt on the field.

If that's your criteria, it's still not too late to draft recently retired NHL goaltender, Ron Tugnutt or college basketballer, Chief Kickingstallionims.

30. Have fun Sorry thought I was on the Auskick forum.

When we're truly hated by all opposition clubs.

Schwab's interview with Matt Burgan suggested Neeld put it to the club that if they wanted him then they should hurry up and sign him because other clubs are expressing genuine interest. That was my reading between the lines anyway. And the fact his appointment was leaked out of Collingwood also precipitated the announcement.

I'm sensing some post-traumatic growth.

I feel like I'm watching Groundhog Day.

If compo picks don't count and we trade our first round pick would be able to use our second round pick (as our first available pick) to select Jack Viney?

So you're basically admitting you're a troll. I'm not sure what the rules are about that . . . . Anyway it's the last you've heard of me RR. You've driven me away from Demonland until this sorry saga is over.

You've almost single handedly made coming to Demonland a less enjoyable experience than it once was for me. Don't tell me to lighten up. Feel free to search through my history of posts and see how many times I've succumbed to responding to individuals rather than focusing on the subject matter. It speaks volumes of the drivel that has spewed forth from your mouth and the sad pleasure you're gaining from what is an extremely disappointing development in what has been a god-awful year.

Well done, you lasted almost three hours.

I hope he takes the whole of September to decide!

The HOA he signed contains a clause that says that he doesn't have to go up there if it's raining.

It's certainly not a nice, cozy position for anyone who genuinely wants one of the key pieces to our future success to remain. You'd genuinely prefer winning a ridiculous debate with a collection of anonimous internet forum posters than see your club come closer to winning a premiership. It's pathetic.

Great call. I haven't given up on Cale but then again I'm a happy clapper.

Yeah but Trengove comes from South Australia - he would have signed on with the Baghdad Beavers for another four years.

I wrote Tommy a nice little speech to help him out when he gets around to announcing his new contract with the Dees. I'm sure there's heaps we can do!

Sadly, I agree and sadly it's looking more and more likely that that is indeed the case. I just hope that those who've been on the 'Scully is gone' bandwagon don't get too smug. No-one who truly cares about the Melbourne Football Club wins if Scully leaves.

I think many of us here are a little frustrated that there’s absolutely nothing we can practically do to help resolve the Scully situation. The endless drivel that this thread has tossed up is completely understandable. We love our club. We want a flag. The endless speculation is tiring and emotional. Scully leaving will impact on our chances to get a flag and give opposition supporters yet another reason to stick the boot in. Having said all that, I’ve decided that there is in fact something we can do to help. Clearly Tommy is pretty busy right now making the biggest decision of his life. Judging by the calibre of his representation (Alastair Lynch) he doesn’t have anyone in his corner capable of stringing a half decent sentence together that alone forming a coherent press release or speech. I’ve decided to help out our boy. What follows is a speech I’m willing to donate, free of charge to young Tom when he’s good and ready to confront the inevitable media throng and declared his long term commitment to the mighty Dees: It gives me great pleasure to announce that I have just signed a 5 year contract to remain at the Melbourne Football Club. 2011 has been an eye-opening and indeed frustrating year for both myself and the club. Struggling with injuries, missing games, losing a respected coach and missing out on finals footy have combined to make this one of the most challenging times of my short life and indeed career as a footballer. Dealing with the lead-up to this announcement or should I say dealing with the fallout created by a media pack that feasted on any hint of footballing controversy was confronting, confusing and at times beyond belief. I was and remain disappointed that my word was questioned so easily by so many. The facts surrounding the negotiation of this contract are simple. My management team at Velocity Sports advised that I hold off on negotiations with the club until the end of the 2011 season. The thinking that drove that decision obviously involved the introduction of a new franchise and the uncertainty regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Little would be gained from prematurely signing a new contract. I have done exactly as I said I would do when I addressed this issue at a press conference earlier this year. I followed the process endorsed by my own captain, Brad Green two years ago, my fellow number 1 draftee Jack Watts last year and team-mate Colin Sylvia this year. The only difference I can see regarding the contract negotiations that have led us to this point today and those of my three team-mates are that the media, many of whom stand before me today, chose to report not on fact or direct quotes provided by myself or my management team but instead on the gossip and innuendo that has become the bread and butter of an increasing number of journalists who owe their livelihood to the game they purport to love and support. Hiding behind unnamed and clearly unreliable sources is far too easy and convenient when reputations are destroyed in the process and the emotions of supporters are taken on a rollercoaster ride. I sincerely hope that some of the senior journalists who’ve dined out on this story for more than six months and heaped undue pressure and focus on a second year player re-assess their approach to reporting and re-consider the faith they placed in their supposed sources. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my incredible family, the amazing administration team at the MFC and my loyal and generous team-mates for their support throughout this difficult time. In particular, I’d like to thank the legion of Melbourne fans who have been patient and unwavering in their support. I hope you understand that I felt it necessary to both follow the recommendations of my management team and most importantly make it clear to the footballing public and the media who have relentlessly followed this contract negotiation process that footballer’s like myself deserve to be taken at their word. I understand that a view may exist that this whole process may have contributed to our poor year on the field and may have proven a distraction. If this is indeed the case, I apologise. I am confident, however, that everyone associated with the Melbourne Football Club respects my approach. We as a club have decided that ultimate success will only come when we are impeccably prepared, brutally honest with each other and refuse to veer off the course we set. In a strange way, I hope that some positives will come from the ugliness of the last six months. I hope that my team-mates and this club’s supporters will see that I’ve applied these principles to this contract negotiation. A plan was set in place. I was honest and transparent throughout the entire process and I never wavered from the agreed approach. I am massively excited about the future prospects of this group and this club. Our future is now and I am rapt to be a part of it. The opportunity to be a ‘one club player’, continue to wear one of those most famous numbers on one of the most famous jerseys in footy and play a role in ending this premiership drought is the type of challenge I dreamt of as a young kid. I can guarantee the supporters of this great club and my equally committed team-mates that I am completely dedicated to achieving the ultimate success and helping this proud club re-claim it’s status as a competition powerhouse. Please feel free to add your own suggestions. It might make you feel a little better – even if is just for a couple of days . . .

I'm wondering why they didn't parade Davis around today. Perhaps they're hoping Scully commits and if the rumours of the captaincy carrot are true they'll present the two co-captains together in the fullness of time.

It comes down to whether two clubs want him enough to compete with each other. A year ago they might have.