rpfc

I don't mind the arrogance. It's just too bad we can't get a modicum of confidence about keeping talented 19 year olds...

I meant "agreed to go to GC," sorry. I'll edit that. My understanding is that nothing was signed until after the season but that assurances were made between seasons 2009 and 2010. Still, he said he wanted to captain of a side he in principle had already agreed to leave.

Ablett said he wanted to captain the club one day, knowing he had already agreed to go to GC. Words mean little, pressers mean nothing, I don't care about a spoken willingness to commit to the club - I only care about him re-signing. And, as I posted earlier, to limit your options by saying "I want to play only for Melbourne in 2011" - he will be limiting the amount he can get in his contract. Negotiations are a delicate process and limiting your options to one usually isn't a good move...

That's implied is it not? He plays for us. He puts the jumper on and runs 25kms a game. If we don't believe this view is held on all our players at face value, then we are in a terrible place. If we ask that question then we are saying to our players - we don't believe you're serious about this club because you haven't committed your intent to be apart of our future in the press. And do you really think that a statement other than a 're-signing' statement will quell the innuendo and pressure?

I can be whatever you want. I just don't think you are interpreting the 'facts' correctly. And I think that you don't show enough circumspection when discussing what should be done.

We see grey, ADC. You only see black where the colours haven't settled yet.

...so we seek an ultimatum? I would love to know where we stand, but it isn't our right to know. Let's be prudent and work through this like a confident club.

And he also touches on having confidence in those running the club. It really is the best headspace to be in. The article should probably be a sticky as we will have rumours pop up throughout the year as Gubby Allan continues to shake our tree.

Not sneering, re-educating. The best way to get over what some of you are having trouble with is to 'fake it until you make it' (to borrow a well-worn American quote). Have some confidence in the people that run the club (I dare say you already do...) and don't be swayed by nothing more than (I believe) deliberately released and targeted innuendo. This is as 'WYL' as I get when it comes to conspiracies but I believe the people that have started this rumour intend it to force us into a corner and enrage the fan base into placing undue pressure on one of OUR best players. They are shaking the tree and hoping one of the apples is our ripe Tom.

I recall you trying to defend it's existence by putting that 'evidence' of our 'hard knock life'. Out of context? Our poor confidence as a supporter body is behind this holistic hand-wringing contest we find ourselves in. It's decidedly in context.

You don't have an option do you? The money is really good - ipso facto - you must go. It would be against all logic and reason to choose family, friends, colleagues, club, and home over the top of being paid more money than Jesus. It's just about having your priorities in order.

This. Brent said this after McLean asked to be traded to Carlton. You are applying it to the situation with Tom. I say unfairly.

If I gave any more evidence BB I'd be stepping in my own footmarks. The 'fathers' comment is to say that those who say we are destined for calamity are placing the inadequacies of the past onto the MFC of today. An MFC that I know you are bullish about. Bringing up our dearth of finals appearances between '65 and 86' for example (which was brought up earlier in this thread) is of zero relevance to discussions of the MFC today. I mean, that barren streak is now longer ago the streak itself (22 years, 24 years ago). That is what I meant.

Don't equate asking for a trade to Carlton to deferring contract talks to seasons end. They are not the same. Not even for all intents and purposes...

Here we go again... To those that think I can be wearied until I give up... (Chuckle) You're new to Demonland. He hasn't signed. We will keep him. He is a generational talent. This isn't your fathers club - the MFC keeps its best players and will win flags.

If the NAB cup is so important than it just reinforces my point about wearing the 'playing' tops with the off-colour than the 'fans' tops with the right colour. I don't know if wearing those guernseys with the proper (and not knitted after the fact by Grandma Connolly) pouches will be 'The Difference' but are we not striving for the 1% that make up all the difference? I can put up with the pink for a few more weeks yet.

Excellent addendum! I should have thought of that...

I can't help myself...

An unanswerable question. Once again, I have been foiled by my arch-nemesis 45HG16!

I am up to the task! You're assuming one is tied to the other - that a press conference will douse the rumours. He can only give platitudes when certainty is what they want. The only press conference I want to see with Tom this year is his re-signing presser. Every branch comes from the same trunk. Rumours usually have multiple heads but the same body. The number of people saying 'rumour as fact' is irrelevant. Dick Cheney was a master of this - he once cited an interview as evidence of 'people saying' a particular POV, the interview was one he had done a few days earlier. Someone who values other things more. Take it from someone who has moved away from all those things that don't have a dollar figure - it's tough. And, besides, anyone will tell him he will earn about $10m (gross) purely from salary payments from the Dees over his career anyway. This is at the heart of why I continually talk about the MFCSS and why I want us to have more confidence as a club and a supporter group. It's a nonsensical fear if you believe in the future that Stynes-Schwab-Connolly-Bailey are bringing to the club. And that is all. Note: TU is forwarding those questions, he is not supporting them.

Not the same material, don't have the pouches for GPS devices, etc. I would prefer they wear pink in the NAB cup and have those performance accessories than wear red and let proper preparation take a back seat.

'Move on'? Is that a tacit threat to leave to a GWS Forum? I just think that if ADC had decided to stay he would come out and say "I am not leaving Demonland" but he has not said that. I know his profile intimates a love of the Dees but I need it in his words. Maybe I am reading too much into two words but why would he stay? The GWS Forum has got money to throw around - you know the AFL Forum will never let it fail, and money means everything when it gets to the amount that GWS Forum is offering ADC. Some of you refuse to believe it - and you're Emus!! Emus with your head in the sand. Better face it. ADC is gone.

Because his manager would say it would mean around $100k in his next contract. If you say you aren't leaving - why would anyone pay you more to stay? Keep them coming fellas, I am bored and I am willing.

Not that. Everything you say around that has been the 'crazy'. It's a harsh term. Maybe...odd then.

The first sentence and the third sentence are diametrically opposed to each other. To call them contradictions of each other is to give short shrift to the term. You need to concentrate more. You need to stop letting ADC and his ilk freak you out.