Red But Mostly Blue

Really excited about this one. And 2026, in general. Don't know why. Not sure if it's deluded, baseless optimism, or a survival mechanism necessary for some of us, but so much seems fresh for next year. Lots of kids out there who will be hungry. And some of our favourites still there to guide the next gen. I think we will be a bit of a surprise packet and annoying to play against. Because of guys like this.

I can certainly see merit in the argument/view that Clarry should have said goodbye to his fans. Many of us supported him throughout, and particularly during trying times. Some of us wrote to the club to ask/ensure we wrap our arms around him. We did a lot for him but I think it's also fair to say the club has also made some mistakes. And we don't know everything. So, yeah I would have loved for him to say thanks and catch ya later. BUT Not everyone is the same. Clarry does not strike me as a big talker/vocal type (and certainly do not see him posting much on socials), so truthfully, in the little I know of him, it does not surprise me in the least that he has not penned a thoughtful goodbye. Given the unideal circumstances of his departure, it might all be a bit for raw for someone who seems to be very emotional and is likely still processing it all. Probably still feels hurt, whether or not all of it is valid is irrelevant. It's how he feels. Maybe one day, when it all settles, he'll write us a goodbye/thanks. If he does, great. If he doesn't, it won't change a thing, at least for me. Still my favourite player to ever wear our colours. I appreciated the human, vulnerable side to him more than anyone else, and nothing will take away from the Bang Bang Bang... BANG. A club legend. I wish him well, and who knows, maybe one day he'll come back and chat with us. Seems like he'd be good for a little yarn in a quiet setting without the cameras and leeches.

Agree he's not walk-up, but we need guys with his enthusiasm. Thought his few games with us he showed a lot, really took his opportunity and would say the opportunities will keep him motivated to try and lock down a spot. I think he can.

One of the ones I am most excited about. With a few somewhat unplanned vacancies, he has a really good opportunity here and I imagine will lock down a spot. Love the way he goes about it.

That's awesome! I am trying. I get her listening to some of the gateway metal acts I think work well (Mastodon, Gojira, Ghost, Baroness etc). And she puts up with my preferred stylings around the home, as I am training our little ones (2yo and 6yo haha) (I am mostly a black metal/atmo black/some death), so they get all of that plus the stuff I grew up on. They're getting there! My wife is making good progress 🤣

Agree! haha and that would be amazing (from a great album) - but to fair I doubt most would understand the lyrics anyway (my wife is always asking me how I understand the growls), so we might get away with it!

YES! Fen of Shadows is one of my fav album openers ever.

100% We need more Amys, and these gigs is one of the places where they're created.

Oof, Amy and co gonna tear up that space, what a great gig!

Ok, I'm convinced. Let's get Sully.

Thought he was worth another year, go well son of Woe. I feel like we've kind of burnt the Woes twice now... :-(

Welcome, CJ! While many have noted some areas for development (decision-making/disposals) (and I agree), he is not alone there! I think the whole team should be working very hard on their skills and decision-making in the offseason. That said, what CJ does have is speed, dare, x-factor and will make a lot of fans quickly. The rest can be improved in time. We can build with guys like CJ.

More to it = BH??? 🤔

I am not one of those people. But I understand 🤣

I think I might not have been entirely clear, but I agree :-) The point I was trying to make, was that after all the years we waited, as amazing as the win was (the whole year, and finals included - and it will live in my mind forever), it's hilarious that it was played and won away from our home - plus all those other things I mentioned. I am not sure of any other team in history who have lost their 2 pillars not too long after a GF win. Think Bont and Libba being traded by 2020. Anyway, I thought it was funny (dark sense of humour).

A perfect storm that pretty much could only happen to us. A drought-breaking premiership we couldn't see (in person) because of a....once in a lifetime pandemic. Two generational talents pi**ed away because of a perfect storm of player behaviour/a self-preservation coach/broken and spineless board/gutter rat media who don't give the same scrutiny to other clubs, life-threatening injury and perhaps in the background some family issues. Loss of guys like Mac due to the AFL hilariously changing the rules, then changing them back. Norm Smith's curse lives on, flag or not!!

I love a plot twist, here's hoping there are some (good ones) (for us) today!!

Yep. Most other years it would have been ok, and probably even exciting. Just our luck it's this year.

What a joke, offloading a club legend for next to nothing (negative outcome really because whatever we’re saving, we’re still paying for Clarry to play elsewhere). All because of events from a couple of years ago. Unless there are present issues, and we have no visibility on that, but you know full well if Clarry was causing issues, it would have been reported on, because the media have latched on to him and we leak. So I’m going to take that as no new issues. Just past ones that we accepted as part of a commitment to make good and get better. Which he did. Awful stuff and I think it will come back to haunt us.

This. Everyone pointing to purported behaviour or whatever is missing the point. The time to trade him would have been then, not some years down the track, after we accepted his behaviour and subsequent attempts to rectify his behaviour. Because if we’re letting go of the Clarry who is working hard and has regained his focus and health, for a FUTURE 3rd round for a team doing well… AND paying a chunk of his salary… WHAT ARE WE DOING??? Yeah we’re getting rid of some salary but we get nothing back in terms of someone who can help to propel this club. Gah. What a flipping mess.

Agree. I have my reservations, as I think we need a greater focus on disposal skills/decision, I will (as I always do) place my faith the club in identifying this and improving it as much as possible. I'll save my warm welcome for the official announcement. Notwithstanding my reservations, I think he will add a lot of flair, fun and connection to the younger fan base in particular. Seems like a really nice, relatable young lad who will make a few fans pretty quickly.

Athlete/x factor, but disposals/decision-making skills not great. We've seen this before in the backline. Right? Or am I losing my mind here? Anyway, maybe we'll have a crack at improving his disposal/decision-making, which we are clearly experts at, and I am presuming the Hawks overlooked...

I think yes OK, we can wrap this up early now so we can collect the bag of chips GWS will give us for Clarry. (Not chicken flavour pls)

I don't not believe it, no reason you can't take that to the bank.

I was just thinking, all this disgruntlement at Cameron not 'playing ball' with BH, in part it's because BH has not come out and forced his hand a little more (yet), but really the other issue is GC, and Cameron for that matter, are doing exactly what you would expect with a contracted player - saying unequivocally that he is off the table. It's something you would hope and expect from our group. I mean, Trac saying he wanted to look elsewhere - we didn't need to entertain that. He signed a long-term contract. The contract he signed protects him AND us. Gives us the power in negotiations. As GC does with BH. We can just say no, and Trac continues to cook here in Melbourne. Tough, it's a lesson in thinking long and hard before you sign a contract. So, I don't know why we are perceived (by media nuff nuffs, yeah ok) as having to accept some deal that is not going to help us. Like we have the weaker hand when we are both dealing in a long-term contracted player. My take is there should not be a deal for Trac unless it involves BH. Because we can actually build around BH - there is some future there, perhaps an immediate one, and GC need the marque player because they are in a premiership window. Without BH we are trading for speculative talent which will take years to come to fruition = years in the doldrums. Again. With the above in mind, and with some blind faith here, if it transpires that we trade Trac for 7 + 8 (less some other pick, which is nuts), then I presume the club has a plan, not wanting to thrust us in a situation where our midfield will get smoked every single week.