Lord Nev

And just adding some further info... According to the report, specialists have identified a tendon pushing onto a nerve in both of Bennell's calves is the cause of the problem. Bennell is adamant he still has plenty of good footy left in him and is determined to get his body right. Importantly, surgeons are confident he will be ready to hit the track by November. Report: Bennell to meet with Victorian club

Has apparently met with a "Melbourne based club". POSSIBLE LIFELINE FOR BENNELL

Yes, I'm sure they restructured the fitness & conditioning department midseason, giving others more responsibility in the process, because they were so happy with Misson's performance after the club-wide review. Stop being naive. No one is saying he's not a great bloke, not highly qualified or not done a good job in the past, but you simply can not ignore the past year.

Come on mate, you're not allowed to be critical or factual unless you have a medical degree apparently.

Don't agree mate. We have our massive injury list. We have players continually listed as "4-6 weeks" or "TBC" who end up missing a whole season. We have player parents complaining about how their sons are being managed. We have players re-entering the field after injury, only to miss weeks afterwards. We have players seemingly returning very quickly from injury, only to end up missing again with the same injury. We have our famous 4th quarter fade outs. And we have Misson being demoted midseason. I have nothing against the bloke at all, I actually think he cops it more than he should, but looking at the past year the sheer weight of evidence says things were not handled to an "elite" standard, for whatever reason. None of the above is speculation, and none of it requires "expertise in the field".

Appears it will be both. I think he's already had the jaw surgery. Poor lad, it's quite symbolic of our year.

Fair enough, I guess it's one of those things that could be taken either way. My impression of it is anytime you're making changes midseason, following a review process, and someone ends up with less responsibility then it's a demotion in my eyes. Can see how it's open to interpretation though.

Additionally, the Dees’ medical team is preparing for the departure of Elite Performance Manager, David Misson, at the end of the season, as he moves to Canada with his family. For the remainder of 2019, Dr. Zeeshan Arain is stepping up to become the head of medical services, while Phil Merriman will take his opportunity as the head of strength and conditioning. “We knew early days that David Misson was leaving at the end of the year and we really didn’t want to get to a stage where all we get out of that opportunity was just replace Dave in the role,” Mahoney said. “We looked at the whole department and said, ‘How can we set up a better structure, how can we set up better programs and processes?’, and that probably took three or four weeks of internal interviews with staff, players and coaches. Melbourne seeks opportunities to improve

The demotion that was part of the midseason structural changes.

Would have thought the weight of evidence throughout the year, including the demotion and departure of Misson was pretty definitive.

Brad Hill will inform Fremantle of his decision to officially ask for a trade as soon as Friday but the Dockers can still cash in on his three seasons at the Dockers. Hill has every intention of playing in Melbourne next year, with his partner to move back home over summer and the star wingman expected to join her. Brad Hill set to tell Fremantle he wants to be traded

Yeah, he had the injury then but I think avoided surgery at the time, but I seem to recall him having hip surgery in his first or second offseason?

I might have missed it previously, but apparently Weid is going in for multiple hip surgeries (again). "Sam Weideman will have the first of his hip operations next week." Injury update

Sounds like May will be back, not convinced by the Lever info though going on previous fitness tests. Injury update: May set to return I notice they also slipped in a line about Weideman having hip surgery, and not just one operation by the sound of it. Did I miss that previously or is that news to others as well?

Unfortunately off to Essendon. Richmond assistant set for Essendon return

Melbourne has privately moved to quash trade scuttlebutt regarding Angus Brayshaw. Foxfooty.com.au understands the club reaffirmed its loyalty to the 23-year-old’s management last week. Brayshaw’s drop in form has become one of the most perplexing narratives of the season for the Demons, who have won five games and are languishing in 17th position on the ladder. And although it’s understood Gold Coast and Fremantle are two of several clubs strongly contemplating a bold play for the former No. 3 draft pick, neither the club nor player will consider a trade this summer. Source Would say "close thread", except didn't we say a similar thing about Hogan?

Haven't watched GWS much this year tbh. Know he's got a good tank, but is he quick out there?

Just came to post the same thing, hadn't heard about Tomlinson before, I like that move. Gives us an interesting dynamic with all of TMac, May, Petty and Tomlinson capable of playing at either end.

Yeah, haven't heard anything solid about Jennings yet, just the early rumour, but have hard Rook is gone.

Didn't say he wasn't "pushed", was talking about the terms he left on. "Pretty clear" it's all good terms between Macca and the club.

Rubbish comment. Read the article. All on good terms and after 5 years, have enough respect to at least not make stuff up.

Wouldn't be surprised if Rawlings leaves or is poached, seems to be highly rated in AFL circles and wouldn't blame him if he's annoyed at being moved around when he wanted to run his own team. Hope he stays of course.

Macca officially gone. Rook rumoured to have been let go also. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-08-05/mccartney-set-to-depart-at-seasons-end

Official. Rook is gone too I've heard on the rumour mill. Richardson to replace Macca IMO. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-08-05/mccartney-set-to-depart-at-seasons-end