rpfc

I doubt you would give a flying about an arguable distraction if you had a life changing decision to make - especially one that you already said a year in advance that you were not going to discuss it until the end of the season. And I very much doubt that the spotlight that has come with the 'stringing along' would hasten your decision...

Some of you guys are going to hate free agency...

If we are so far away, then why are you disappointed with the performance of Bailey? Surely, if we are as far away as you say, he couldn't be doing much better than he is...

?? That's just one of the many KPIs that Bailey talks about. I have my own KPI measurements. It's a thread, displayed on the main board, as I type this. Although I haven't done the past few weeks it largely shows stalling in most areas and slight improvement in a few areas. The board will have to make a tough call - I think it will largely depend on who is available through quiet discussion with a few managers who represent Malthouse, Clarkson, et al.

This is more BS. Games won target? That is bush league.

I have changed computers (no Excel (helps me do the math) on the new one) but I will get them up soon. Too many brackets.

Trying to make Tom look awful whatever he does are you?

If that's the case, why do you care about constantly trying to change our minds...

All our losses bar St Kilda have been pathetic. This is true. But comparing specific games last year to the same specific teams this year is not the greatest way of measuring our improvement. I still feel the worst game we have played in the last two years occured in 2010. The WCE game at the G was an absolute disgrace - to kick only 6 goals against the eventual wooden spooners at home was pathetic. So whenver someone reminds me of the Sydney game, I remind them of the WCE game. We are stalling or pur improvement is marginal, we are not going backwards.

Yes, human beings have faults, I'm not one to accuse an impressive 19 year old of them without solid evidence. And with due respect, there is a massive difference between saying 'sportsmen lie' and accusing an individual of lying. And it's the reason why you had a week off.

He has been well advised whatever the outcome. There is a balance between getting the best deal, keeping a reputation intact, and keeping the current employment environment tenable. It's difficult but he has the two options, and has still got the respect of his teammates, the club, and the majority (I hope) of fans. As an MFC fan I don't like it, but I cannot deny the needle that has been threaded.

Knowing the money on offer isn't an open discussion of a contract. It would not prove that anything smells dodgy.

You are putting your experiences and expectations onto Tom. He probably goes out of his way NOT to read the papers (if I knew him I would tell him to steer clear. He probably is more concerned and frustrated by his injury and trying to play footy than worry about his contract. He is, by all accounts, the most professional footballer at the club, and one of the most in the league, he is probably doing all he can to aide the Melbourne Demons team in 2011, and worry about the future in the future.

I didn't think you could infer that much into a short post that simply intimated our senior players aren't good enough and aren't good enough leaders. I think you basic point is that I have too much faith in the kids we have. I don't know how you judge that, but we will see. From what I have seen in their short careers - I see quite a lot of talent and leadership from Frawley, Garland, Trengove, McKenzie, Grimes, Watts, Scully, Gysberts, Tapscott, Petterd, Bail, et al. I see a greater will to compete, I see better body language onfield, and I see more consistent performances than I see from seasoned senior players. I am hardly taking a giant leap of faith to say that our future with these senior players - Frawley, Garland, Watts, Jurrah, Grimes, Scully, Trengove, McKenzie, Gysberts, Bail, and Tapscott - will be better than with Moloney, Green, Rivers, Davey, and Sylvia. There really is no comparison.

Hurricanes and banana plantations don't co-exist well... That's the issue.

Understand all of that except why he 'needs' to go? If he stays he will stay on far less than the offer from GWS and it will be a massive philip for the club. Will the effect be that all the players ask for more? Or will the effect be that the players decide that this club is going places with a player like Tom, and they will accept less?

This probably isn't the best wat to ingratiate yourself... Welcome to the playground.

Pineapple.

I thought I was calm... Tone is very hard to read in text I will say... I am curious about people's opinion of late signing of contracts and the introduction of free agency... I see it happening more - with delayed talks. Nightmarish from a planning POV, but probably the best career decision ie. see what is out there in terms of concrete offers. American sports have Free Agency windows of sorts (a couple of weeks to sign up/make a decision), is that where we are headed?

It could have been a better constructed sentence but you are the one that is inferring I also called the Scully/Velocity actions a charade. I referred to Judd's nonsense as a facade and you equated the two. So, no, I don't think this is a charade, I think this is a kid who has a big decision to make and he will make it when he is good and ready. We sign contracts too early anyway. Bruce was signed up in March of 07 for 08-10 on a ridiculous contract. I wonder if the same contract would have been put in front of him in September 07... I doubt it. That's a bit of a tangent, but with FA, get used to contracts being signed very, very late. In fact, they might even make the first two weeks of October - Free Agent Signing Window or something and then all players (8+ and 10+ years service and coming out of contract) will wait till then to sign. Get used to it, peeps.

Can't lose something you never had.

I didn't know you were, BB... I just mean the delaying of negotiations, not any apparent falsities in what they have said. Perhaps a poor choice of words. Judd put three clubs through something rivalling Best In Show without the laughs...

That's true. BTW - the charade that Judd put us, the Pies, and the Bombers through was far worse than what Scully/Velocity are doing with us. But that is just my view - others may disagree.

He's going to have to get over it. Because the people that splashed 'traitor' in the paper, and are constantly inferring he is a liar, are the ones who are going to be asking him questions about his footy for the foreseeable future...

With respect, I think you are basing that on media performances and while that may be important, it is far from the extent of being a good captain.