rpfc

Hutchy's morals apparently can't allow him to hide in the trash at the family home of a 19 year old. And just to head off some fans - it is not in the interests of the club to throw our 19 year old in front of the media. Completely self-serving and devious.

That's a good point.

The club probably feels that sending a 19 year old out to answer questions he can't answer isn't the best preparation for his second season. Remember there is no grey here. He will be asked point blank and he can't waiver and appease any of us. We want an unequivocal 'staying' statement before negotiations are under way. He would only give ambiguous answers eg. state his love for the Dees, but say he can't talk about the negotiations or his future. And that won't be good enough will it? Let the boys play. Try hard to keep him, and be confident about doing so. We'll reassess when the facts change or become more concrete.

Having so many high draft picks that have the chance to turn into 'stars' of the game was always going to stretch our cap. Paying over the odds for a couple was always going to happen with cashed up clubs looking to poach. I really don't think Harrington and Schwab haven't thought this through. It's going to be tight but we should be able to do it. Tom will be a Demon for a while yet.

Or we are doing a good job of keeping him away from the reporters...

This is a pretty immature post by someone who is trying to lessen his 'grief' if the unthinkable happens. And I dare say, Trengove and Scully will earn about the same over their careers at the Demons. Play him at Casey as an ultimatum? Yeah, that'll help the club keep him...

Unless his folks are moving up with him, it will be a huge shock to the system. Especially considering his apparent closeness to his family. He will rarely see them, even if it is only a 1 hour away.

I loves hypotheticals. No better way to misuse brain cells and waste time than thinking about something that really isn't a possibility let alone a hypothetical probability. And considering no-one is going to give you the choice in the first place... If clubs had the chance - they'd take both...

I also consider that stat useless.

You know what he 'means'... Some statistical humour for everyone. Median is the word he is looking for. Easy way to remember - the median strip runs down the middle of the road. Median strip.

The basic tenet of the piece is 'how can you play SuperCoach well' and that means Jamar has to compete with lesser ruckmen to get cheap kicks and marks and therefore they are saying he isn't a good a value pick for a SuperCoach team. The way they do the scoring is better than DreamTeam which just awards points for kicks and handballs no matter where they end up, but it still doesn't provide a great mirror for the work Jamar does in his 25 hitout, 5 kicks, 8 handball, 7 marks, 1 goal outing that scores 60. I'd move on, BB59. I think Thomo is getting some titillation over this and it's a little off-putting.

And now something you'll really like...

Jeez... I'll ease off because DC thinks I am flogging this, and he is usually on the mark with such things, but I just don't get this sentiment anymore. It rankles. We have made so many strides in the last few years that everyone lauds - but when it comes to saying 'we are the MFC and we are capable' we just can't do it. (Frustrated, defeated sigh)

As with many topics - we have very similar viewpoints. I agree with most of what you say. My analysis of MFCSS may be overdone recently, but that is only because of the relative explosion of its symptoms recently. And I know fans are not automatons, but I would prefer us to have more belief, faith, and confidence in the club than many are showing (the most comical example would be posters bringing up our failed past (22 years without finals, 24 years ago) as a buttress of their negative foretelling of doom). I would prefer the refreshingly arrogant, if abrasive, view of JCB and others when they say "meh, if he goes it's his loss." Now it would be our loss aswell, but it is not 'our lot.'

Sour taste, yes. That's fine. I have it too. But... Calling for Bailey to confront Tom. Calling for ultimatums. Playing Tom at Casey for not signing a contract. Etc. These are embarrassing over-reactions to the situation. Posters can say what they like. I can call them out for it. Sunrise, sunset.

NO!! It would have destabilised the club IF Bailey confronts Scully. The statement from management yesterday was fine, they are Tom's reps not ours. Let him play his footy, don't listen to 'us' and deal with the contract when he is ready. We will keep him if we don't act like we will lose him.

I don't think anyone other than a few doomsayers would call my position, and a few others who have confidence in this club, over the top optimism or surreal. I just refuse to believe the doom purely based on the fact that doom has been in our past.

22 years without finals?!! That was 24 years ago, FFS!! Let it go... We have talent, we're debt free, we got the facilities, we are called the Demons still, and we are the Melbourne Footy Club. If you can't shake off the syndrome the way many of us have - you're in trouble.

No, he isn't right. We are not doomed to do as 'we always have done' for that is a pathetic and self-involved stance that doesn't fit fans of this club. The Melbourne footy club has won 12 flags, has survived and thrived through 153 years and has the makings of a very successful near future. This pathetic handwringing is below this club.

This should be someone's signature. Wow. For those that just pass by the references to MFCSS and don't pay them any heed - look up. A justification for MFCSS was attempted. Wow.

The facts I see are many Demon fans have come to the same conclusion you have on nothing more than deliberate and purposeful rumour and their own neurotic fears. The NAB Cup hasn't started yet but you think he has gone? It's pessimistic optimism, it's the syndrome, and it isn't healthy.

That's evidence?! Jeez... Some of you love the Syndrome. I get it. It's safe in this 'woe is us' box. High hopes don't get demolished because you never have any. But at some point you are going to have to say to yourself "this club isn't destined for calamity." He hasn't gone yet, stop acting like you know the future just because "the future" has always brought ruin.

I'll make the Kool-aid! And I won't test it this time... Beginner's mistake.

No 17 year old is that strategic. He is simply listening to the advice of his manager. To some of you, Tom is an evil mastermind sent from the future to tease you, bring you to the precipice and leave you hanging. Get a grip.

I don't. I don't even assume you live in my plane of existence. You are a metaphysical anomaly. Didn't really mean that - I just feel strange this night. Thought I would be lighthearted, alter the mood.