BDA

The AFL in its current guise is unsustainable. The suns are a waste of time and money. A drain. GWS not much better. All the while, Tasmania, a genuine footy state and capable of supporting a team with a leg up is ignored. HQ full of suits, consultants and hangers on that contribute zip to the game. I mean, half those roles have gone as a result of the pandemic and you wouldn’t notice. The AFL is run by a few for the benefit of a few. All that money flows to the top to pay an elite group of administrators and players. It’s wrong. I’d much prefer to see a model whereby much more funds were distributed to local footy clubs and facilities, coaching for kids, grassroots. The game is for the people not for a few to enrich themselves. It would be a silver lining if the pandemic forced a re-think and a more egalitarian model. Won’t happen though. Too many powerful clubs and vested interests. Too much money at stake. All that'll happen is a couple of clubs get squeezed out and their share divvied up amongst the remainder.

I agree with the consensus here that Nev is past it physically. I’ve wondered why Collingwood are prepared to offer him 2 years and I wouldn’t be surprised if its because of his leadership. It’s no secret they’ve had cultural issues over there and Nev would be a perfect candidate to lead a change and instil better values. MFC really shouldn’t be letting someone of Nev’s calibre and character leave the club. Surely there’s a role for him. With the possible exception of Jones, I don’t think there’s another player on the list who better embodies what I would consider the heart and soul of the footy club. Selfless, committed, never shirked responsibility, gives his all, led by example. Oliver, Brayshaw and a few others could take a leaf out of his book. Come on MFC. You gotta have a role for this champion. A one year playing contract transitioning into a coaching, mentoring, leadership role. If you’re not sure yet what the role is then you have a year to figure it out. Don’t let this bloke leave.

Please no. Not Collingwood. Those black and white stripes will look terrible on him. I can’t imagine seeing Nev lining up against for queens birthday. It’s just not right. I understand the man has to put food on the table but surely there are other options out there for him. The player mentor role has been mentioned. I think that’s a great idea. If it came down to a choice between him and Jones for a leadership/mentoring/coaching role I’d pick Nev (and I’ve nothing against Jones). Plus I reckon you can get another year out of him as defensive depth. Hopefully this is all just trade scuttlebutt. I’d hate seeing Nev in a Collingwood Guernsey.

he was AA 2 years ago. he was 5th B&F this year. He needs to take a leaf out of Trac's book. IF he does the sky is the limit

Not sure about that. The entire midfield unit has under-performed which suggests to me coaching is part of the problem.

He’s not blameless for this years failure. I’d prefer if Clayton knuckled and focused on his kicking, impacting the scoreboard and leadership rather than sooking. Having said that there’s no way he leaves this year. Carlton are dreaming.

In no particular order: JT to pull another rabbit out of the hat in the draft Harmes to be played in his correct position and return to his 2018 form. Ben brown to kick 60 Trac wins the Brownlow The penny finally drops for Gus

Never heard a word about him being a disruptive influence at all while he was with us. Liked to let his hair down now and again but jeez that hardly makes him disruptive. His body language was poor at times but you could say the same thing about Oliver. Clubs seem to want robots these days. Fremantle have a poor record of managing players. Plus a new coach comes in this year with his own ideas. Tabernor comes good all of a sudden. He got injured last year and to me it looks like the club didn’t put proper support structure around him. Now all of a sudden we’re hearing how disruptive he is. Freo would be one of the last clubs in the AFL I would recommend a player move to. Jesse will find a new home easily but I reckon the best place for him is the MFC. HE was well liked here, produced good football and can fill a need. The only reason we traded him was because he wanted to head back to Perth and we needed the pick for May. And we thought TMac could play his position. Less said about that the better. My only concern would be the foot injury. He’s injured it a couple of times now so it’s a definite risk. Subject to medical DD I would welcome him with open arms if he decided to come back.

Plus, it can’t be a very pleasant work environment for him. He’s under-performing and on a big contract. The other players are bound to be resentful towards him. Professional pride has to play a part as well. He seems like an honourable sort and I can’t imagine he’s happy collecting a big pay check and not pulling his weight. I hope he’s realistic with his wage demands. For everybody’s sake he needs to leave the MFC.

I guess it depends how large the debt would be Old Dee. Nothing wrong with debt as long as we can service the interest and meet the repayments. I haven’t seen any costings or plans so have no idea what kind of $$ are needed but we have a sum of $6m odd from the Leighoak club sale and could dispose of the Bentleigh club and tip those proceeds into the project as well. The club appear set on the MCG precinct which I think is the right call (but will be difficult to secure). You can generate better commercial returns in a central location. I think the club has a large latent (we packed out the MCG for those 2 finals in ’18) following as well if we could just get on a run of sustained success (big if I know). And I wouldn’t be in favour of unsustainable debt levels. Any debt has to be sensible and manageable.

If Brown’s motivation in choosing his next club is footy related then no way he chooses Essendon. It’s a sinking ship over there. If he does choose the bombers it’ll be for the money in which case we’re probably better off without him.

He’s been a quality player and provided great service to Hawthorn. I just wonder why they’re only offering him 2 years. I guess with Yze back in the fold and a proper medical we should have the information and intel we need to make a considered call on his fitness and length of contract.

Just watched this. He's an outstanding young man. Level headed, down to earth and family orientated. We're lucky to have him.

With respect you can get stuffed. It’s our history for good or ill and I’m proud of it. You should head off down to Tassie and support your new team down there. Off with you.

You’re right. I was being a little flippant in my previous response. Success depends ultimately on people. IF you’ve good people involved you’ll get success. I think that’s where Essendon have gone wrong (and indeed ourselves in the past). Richmond, West coast, Geelong, Hawthorn even Collingwood (as much as I dislike Eddie) always have quality people involved.

worked for Richmond

We're Melbourne. the oldest football club in the world. the foundation member. The club of the great Norm Smith. Of Barassi. No way in hell's fire are we going to Tassie or anywhere else for that matter. We just so happen to be financially secure at this moment in time as a result of the sale of the Leighoak club. We don't need AFL assistance. We're in a much better place financially and on-field compared to North. They'll in a world of pain. We badly need a home base though.

i wouldn't be using the AA team as a basis for determining the best players. The best midfielders perhaps. May is one of the top 3 defenders. Gawn is no.2 ruck. Only dusty tops Trac. Oliver is an AA already (but and can improve with proper coaching). I'll even throw Langdon into the conversation as one of the best wingmen in the comp. I think he's underrated when you compare to someone like Brad Hill at the saints. We're got good youngsters coming through as well. I think we have a great foundation. Better coaching and a KPF and wingman added and we're in with a great shout of Top 4 next year.

We are a poorly performing outfit. Forward and midfield coaching is sub-par. Game day coaching and game plan not up to scratch. Players are not delivering in particular our much vaunted midfield unit. We are not getting the best from our midfielders. Pure and simple. Coaches and players are equally responsible imv. Clayton is hugely talented but he is not blameless. His body language has been poor at times, he’s over hand balled and his kicking has let him down. And yes, I think he has been selfish. I don’t for a second think he’ll go to Carlton this year but he might go next. He seems like the type of character who wants success and might leave if he feels it won’t happen at MFC. I have zero intel on this just my opinion. Plus we live in the age of free agency. Players will test the market. There is plenty for Clayton to work over the off season. With another solid pre-season and some proper coaching I think he can be a star of the comp. But he needs to knuckle down. The best way of course to scotch these types of rumours is to become successful. It’s about time this club got its act together, got some elite coaching talent into the club and finally deliver on promises. I’m sick to death of spending every off season listening to platitudes from the club about what they are going to do. I want to spend an off season praising them for what they did for a change. Over to you Pert.

39 in unders. The Corr pick looks the go. Failing that their future second. They’re losing players so can’t see them including in a deal. Plus we should be targeting proven players and none of Caldwell, O’Halloran fit the bill. They may become good players but I want a player for the here and now.

I think we’re a lot more attractive than Essendon in terms of potential to play finals. Issue will be coin and length of contract. With players leaving they’ll have more capacity to meet his demands and if they get desperate, which l think they will, they can offer him an extra year. Hopefully he makes his choice based on footy reasons.

He’d be a good get but 3 years for a 32 year old is madness particularly one who relies on speed. 2 years max with perhaps a sweetner about a coaching position.

He couldn’t possibly be any worse than TMac. Swap him in and TMac out and we’re well ahead imv.

I don’t get this argument about not playing 2 key forwards. We went alright in 2018 with Hoges and TMac playing in tandum.

If that’s the case the club must be confident of moving TMac on. Any update there?