Red But Mostly Blue

Can't be said he wasn't handy/v good at points last year, so there's that to be thankful for. 

For whatever reason, fitness included I guess, there was little value this year and lots of mystery. I'm guessing the mods will be all over this one today haha, but yeah see ya! Not sure he truly ever lived up to his potential, but he's not alone in this respect. 

Thankful for the spot this frees up, and the (hopefully) renewed, laser focus on success/new starts next year. 

I think this is another step in the right direction, in this case out the door. 

16 minutes ago, binman said:

None of which is to say it's disappointing we haven't won another flag thus far.

I'll go to my grave thinking we left one on the table in 2023.

But a key point is the era is not over.

We are in good shape to win another in the next few years.

The Cats, swans and lions have a model that rejects the idea of bottoming out and stocking up on pick ones, but rather staying in contention over a long period of time.

It is exactly that model that goody said he aimed to implement at the dees in his very first presser after being announced as senior coach.

And he has been good to his word.

100%

No notes

🤜🤛

How hasn't this thread been binned and incinerated, with the ashes placed in a barrel and dumped in the sea? 🤮

9 minutes ago, layzie said:

I'm with you.

Independent of the Red Bull stuff Pre Season is closer than we think. Up until now he hasn't been allowed to get the heart rate up high and he will likely need every minute of this off season to get himself right.

If this is a beneficial investment of time then blow the B&F night.

 

100% - unfortunately Trac's starting point is behind everyone else, so he has a lot of ground to make up for next year. 

As you  say, each minute counts, this looks like a solid investment. 

Do we want a fit, focused Trac in 2025, or not? 

Yes. In fact, we need him (yes we 'can' do without him - but it cannot be argued we are better simply because he doesn't play - we did that for half a year and I thought we were rubbish for the most part). 

If this helps him get to where he needs to be, physically and mentally, then it's a good thing IMO. Goes without saying that he is an intense professional athlete, and after his injuries, I would say just wants to get back to having the body/abilities he is used to. For his confidence and mental health. My opinion counts for zero, and I don't think he handled himself well these last 1-2 months, and has contributed greatly to setting us back for next year (or at least making things harder), but I still don't have an issue with this. 

It isn't a great look, but I suspect that's a case of bad luck from a scheduling perspective, complicated by the fact that he is a Red Bull ambassador. 

Get yourself ready, Trac. 

It looks like it's still not 'certain' (business case stage...), but at least it's some good news.

And we could certainly do with some more of that!

Good news > bad news. 

Ooof know that feeling well.

Are we the giants? Absolutely fluffed both finals and winning positions. That is gonna burn, should have won both. 

Guess I want the swans to win? Can’t operate the cats winning again. Port won’t win. Lions could I guess. Would not be the worst.

Damn you Giants, would have been a GF winner we could get behind! 

EXCELLENT outcome.

A classy, experienced, intelligent player - something we need a lot of right now, especially up forward.

Was happy with his return this year, I imagine he will be vital next year. 

Onya, Melk! 

Expectations:

Consistent, reliable footy with a plan that makes sense. 

Good footy for FOUR quarters. I appreciate you can't maintain manic intensity for the whole game, so what I am saying is we don't play those famous 1-quarter games. Or turn up midway through the third for 10 minutes then never again. Or brain fade for 10 minutes at first bounce in the 4th, and have 6 goals kicked against us. 

Redefine, commit to and rebuild our brand. Who are we? Show us. Every week. Win or lose. 

Selfless footy again. 

The results will look after themselves. The competition is close and I expect it will remain so next year. We were only a 2 small losses away from finals, but arguably so were other teams (such as the Pies, Freo). 

I'd love to say top 4, but in truth based on this year, I can't say that hand on heart because we were truly ordinary in parts this year. No-shows, and flogged by Freo - TWICE. The Eagles. Etc. I believe we are capable of turning it around, but a lot has to happen - Clarry has a great offseason (he will), Viney regains his best, Petracca is in the right mindset and regains his strength. Some luck with injuries throughout the year, like Maxxy, May and Lever (all hurt us with absence). Kozzy out for 3 weeks is big (that went very quiet, still sad we didn't push that). Can't afford more absences like that. And we need some of the guys to continue improvement - Sparrow, Riv, Salem (needs something), McVee, JVR etc. They need big years. So yeah, it would be easy to say top 4, but it's more complicated than that.

BUT - if the Board can settle things (and yes it is their job to do so, this is the right time - well a while back was, but the next best time is now - the culture trickles down). Not to say the culture is an issue. But whatever it is, they need to look at what's happening, and decide what needs to be done to correct it. We have a small window with Maxxy and May to launch at a flag.

If we address those things above, I believe the results will reflect that and we will play finals, with a real shot at success.

This deal ain't gonna happen. He's obviously cooled on us, and you can't really blame him for being spooked.

We haven't exactly been the bastion of stability and good footy this last year. And even though we love our club, and like our children think and hope they're gonna turn out just fine despite a rough patch, acting up, talking back, some prima donna moments and poor test results, there's no guarantee to anyone else on the outside that anything is going to change next year. So... the Blues (who are rats, but fortunately don't have any such media noise - and while a disappointing finals exit, are still on the up, generally_ and the Dogs (who will look to improve again next year with a good side) are likely the frontrunners for his valuable services. The Pies had an ordinary year, but they're the Pies. Big crowds etc. The Saints had a rough year, but they finished above us and ended strong - they may throw $$$ to improve next year. 

TL;DR - doesn't matter what pick we have, he's not coming. That ship sailed. Likely numerous times this year. Still sailing.

Nah.

But I see 'long fingers' Marchbank was also delisted. Weird that the Blues showed such little loyalty to him just ONE YEAR after he 'SINGLEHANDEDLY' robbed us of a win against those rats last year. 

I'd almost be happy to take him, then drive him somewhere and leave him there. He'll be fine! I don't wish him harm. He'll thrive. He can use those super long fingers to pluck fish from rivers, and maybe even a few birds as they fly overhead. When he's done he can tap some aircraft to collect him, or latch on. Whatever. 

Well deserved, congrats to TMac. 

Always gives it everything, which is exactly what everyone needs to see. On ground leadership by example. 

We do NOT need another diva around the club, thanks.

Go away, Joe. 

No chance to get him (will go Cats 100% - why would he come to us? He's guaranteed a prelim next year with the cats, probably, and media pressure/scrutiny and drama/who knows what kind of performance with us), but it's fine, don't want him anyway, he's not the kind of guy we need to lift us next year - we need leaders who play a reliable brand of footy and can inspire others to do the same. 

Hmmmm... that Petracca Parma (hard cringe) smells a lot like someone's brand is getting a little bit of a boost??

Wonder if that's part of the negotiations behind the scenes to keep him happy?

(sorry, part time sceptic/at the very least full-time critical thinker). 

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

@Lucifers Hero

Current amount of followers on Instagram

• Collingwood Magpies: 399,000 followers
• Richmond Tigers: 316,000 followers
• Carlton Blues: 301,000 followers
• Hawthorn Hawks: 283,000 followers
• Geelong Cats: 248,000 followers
• Essendon Bombers: 267,000 followers
• West Coast Eagles: 263,000 followers
• Sydney Swans: 237,000 followers
• Western Bulldogs: 200,000 followers
• Adelaide Crows: 190,000 followers
• Brisbane Lions: 185,000 followers
• Fremantle Dockers: 182,000 followers
• Port Adelaide: 168,000 followers
• Melbourne Demons: 161,000 followers
• St Kilda Saints: 154,000 followers
• GWS Giants: 147,000 followers
• North Melbourne Kangaroos: 139,000 followers
• Gold Coast Suns: 113,000 followers

 

That's telling. Only slightly above and equally boring Saints account. GWS is a new club, and will overtake us. The Roos and Suns reflect current performance and general interest in those clubs.

We can and should be higher, but nobody at HQ seems to care. It's not just about 'image' - as we have to perform on the field, of course, but image really is part of the overall package. It's circular. Build the image, players buy into it, fans buy into it and turn up to more games, get more involved and feel more engaged with the club (I am a 20+ year member and honestly I never feel like the club gives a rats about me, and barely knows I am alive). There's a greater unity and energy that can help drive everyone. Build a future generation. Get kids wanting to play for us one day. 

I hope this offseason, as part of all the other things we need to do, the club thinks about this and recognises that there is a missed opportunity to engage with members and fans - and drive more to games. Build that future. 

Thank you Kate, for your contribution to our club, and for your part in returning us to relevance and success. 

It’s a tough gig. When you’re winning, many will attribute it to the guys on the ground, but when you’re losing, the blame tends to rise to the top. 

It was probably time for many reasons, but it can’t be said Kate didn’t have a role to play in our success.

Thank you, and all the best. 

9 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

So well-said. And so true. Clarrie is definitely an emotional person. He’s emotionally fragile and I reckon the club is succeeding in working with him on this. And you’re right about it meaning a lot to him knowing we have his back; I reckon his self-confidence took a huge hit so any form of support and encouragement is gratefully received. He’s definitely improving though… wears his heart on his sleeve does our Claz.

He’s said on more than one occasion ‘the only way I’d leave Melbourne is if they didn’t want me and got rid of me.’ Sad way to word it but that’s how he feels. 

That's so sad. I know people like that and can relate on some days.

I don't know anyone else in the club I'd rather give a big hug to, than our boy Clarry. He seems like a sweetheart who, like many, just wants to be loved, and probably doesn't quite know how much he is loved. 

He has given so much to us, we should return the love he has clearly shown for the club and continue to support him back to his best self, on and off the ground. 

I'm so excited to see him back out the next year. I reckon it's going to be a great year ❤️

Are there no other clubs that can hit the news re trades/non trades? Are we the only club?

Clarry is not going anywhere. And those willing to sell him down the river for a couple of speculative 1st round picks - I will look out for your supportive comments when he's tearing up the midfield again, like his normal self after a big preseason. Poor guy - building up to be, if not already, in the conversation as one of our best EVER. He has 1 average year (average, not 'bad' - just 'bad' to some according to his ridiculously lofty standards) and suddenly he's expendable. For unknowns. 

I've read, and it seems to be the case, that he's an emotional guy. I think it would mean a lot to him that we have his back, and don't just want to give him the old heave-ho for a bag of beans. 

Ridiculous!!!

49 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

He has 100% been approached, this isn't media 'hearsay'. 

Apologies, what I meant is there is nothing concrete linking him to joining the Board - as the title of the thread suggests.

I have no doubt someone has approached him given the noise of late/for quite some time (and by all accounts would probably do quite well)

10 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I don’t know why that’s so. But it’s a dog act to pick on a cheer squad when there’s no one else to pick on. It’s one thing to relentlessly bag our club, but to bag volunteers??? Shameful.

I always say we don’t need/want thanks because we do it purely out of love, but I’ll be [censored] If I have to read this sort of bs from so-called professional journalists.

I am still yet to understand why we can't thank Nibbler? 

HE NEEDS TO LEAVE, THE CLUB HAS BEEN HUMAN ABOUT IT, END OF!!!

We'll miss him 100% - and I wish he could stay, but he obviously can't. Family always comes first. 

Given his dedication over the years, that's not in dispute.

You guys are legends - LOVE YOUR WORK. Thank you!

The media has moved on (kind of) from our players wanting out, it has now moved on to Kate. 

There does not appear to be anything actually, in fact, linked to Steven.

So..... he doesn't quite have the pull of Trac, but here we go - get ready for about a bajillion pages on will he/won't Steven Smith join the Board? 

I took a couple of days off to breathe (in the middle of which Trac made his statement).

Jumped online to see case closed, but nah just a million more pages and fewer answers than before... 🤣

41 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

The sheer fact that despite being one of the best performing sides over the last 4 seasons, we are back as the perceived laughing stock / problem child of the AFL, speaks to an undeniable failure of leadership and governance.

It does not matter if the reality is not as grim from inside the 4 walls, the perception that we are a club in disarray once more, is going to cause enough damage that it will impact every part of our club, but most especially our on field success.

I just cannot believe that we are here again so soon.  

This is what I was thinking, too. 

If you were to hear all of this (over the last several years) regarding an unnamed team - you'd rightfully assume it was a bottom 4 rabble. But nope, it's been a team who won a flag, and finished top 4 three years in a row. And could have had another flag if not for devastating, worst-timed injuries. The vision of our success is now being clouded by all eyes on these perceived issues. And worse yet, these issues, and that discussion, may impact our ability (through mood of the club and players, and inability to attract essential trades to fill big gaps) to properly challenge again next year, in what may be our last chance at a flag. 

It's just a game, etc. But it's also really sad :-(

Board member with zero EQ. Who'd have thunk it? 🤷‍♂️

Worst thing is these board-types are completely unaware. She's probably high-fiving back at the office now for a job well done. Funnily enough on her Victoria University page, it says: "Kate is also a sought-after media and public speaker". lol