Skuit

You should put the opinion proviso part at the start of the otherwise seemingly definitive statement. I'll show you an example: 'In my opinion he is going to the Gold Coast, just playing hard to get so . . .' etc. followed by any other random speculation you wish to include. I don't mean to be a [censored], but the world will be a much better place if everyone just followed these simple rules.

To be fair, I'd give about as much weight to a player manager's word as I would to a contemporary AFL reporter. But clearly the latter has called the former and there have been strong denials - to what end a manager would deny the story I don't know? - seems counter-productive if they had planted the seed in the first place. That's all I know. Sweet [censored] all.

Good point. How mind my mind works with the smart is definitely another issue when it comes to the recruitment of Brown.

Glad that he's been finally exposed. Definitely don't want someone who puts his family ahead of his teammates at my club. Poor character in my opinion. Especially when it's so difficult to care about more than one thing at a time.

I don't agree or disagree. But it's a fact of life that we're all judged according to what we're capable of, rather than in exact comparison to our peers. A couple university degrees taught me this pretty quickly, and I had to work much harder than most to maintain my grades.

Not like that at all mate. Just saying they likely set a higher bar for Clarry and expect more. Coaches put it on him and then judge his performance accordingly (I would probably be [censored] too, being held to a higher standard). Though we all do the exact same thing on here - just check the D'land votes throughout the year (and also my advocacy of Clarry when he doesn't get a mention - clearly ahead of those getting votes). Viney does what he is capable of with in line with direct orders and gets the votes. Clayton is capable of much much more than Jack and is being encouraged to reach his potential. It makes sense to me, especially in terms of our bnf voting system, where each player is awarded points out of ten for each game.

I'll reluctantly entertain you on this one Doc (even though I seriously wish you would just [censored] off to big footy, no offence, but please [censored] off to big footy). Do you seriously think Clarry has reached his ceiling? Do you not believe that he has the capacity to get any better? I'd actually prefer it if you didn't answer and just [censored] off to big footy instead, but I'm sure you will come up with a way to avoid the the question at hand and just keep polluting these boards with your toxic garbage. I hope you feel satisfied with your life in that role.

Don't think that last part is fair at all. I think most of our coaches rate him as the greatest prospect they've ever encountered, according to just about everything I've ever read. But they've been driving him hard since day one, I think starting with McCartney (and to date he has responded well to that). I'll see if I can dig up an old training report - which if my memory is correct Nat Jones and others were tackling him harder and niggling him more than anyone else, trying to [censored] him off and testing his nerve. He clearly performed better than Viney this year but I think they've set a high bar based on what he is capable of and expecting that he gets better. That's okay: just tell him that. Goodwin recently said he was the hardest working player he's ever come across - and I assume that means both throughout his playing and coaching career. Which is huge. He was also a staunch defender when Clarry was getting criticized earlier this year. Hardly speaks of our coaches underrating or not appreciating him - just that they're employing tactics for him to get the best out of himself. If he feels that has been too harsh then we pull it in a bit - maybe like Trac - and tell him how important he is to us and what he can do to be better. Then give him that massive contract he wants and deserves.

I imagine a lot of older frustrated fans are seriously looking for a reason to if not exactly give up on the club entirely but at least care less about the MFC and football in general (i.e. paying membership) - then the loss of our great white hope (extra white) will be a major trigger in my mind according to personal perspective. The best thing to happen to this club in more than a decade. Get it sorted. Make it public. Sign a five-year deal and expect that back in membership 1000-fold.

One of the reports noted that Oliver's managers have strenuously denied all these rumours.

I completely agree with you Adam and have wondered if the Viney thing is at the real heart of Oliver's alleged disgruntlement (Melksham also finished 12th and captained the club for a day which is highly aggravating - and it seems clear to me that they've consistently put a high bar in front of Oliver, but perhaps rightly so?). But I don't think you should be so harsh on Jack based on one media report. Not sugar-coating it - it read poorly - but don't ever trust the media in terms of selecting quotes to fit a narrative. I think I'm one of the good guys, but still do it all the time myself in my reporting.

Cheers for setting me straight with your blunt inside-knowledge. Clearly I was delusional that some players care about winning. Silly me.

Okay. Glad for definite clarification on that.

If this or @Lucifer's Hero's responses are even partially related to a couple of my recent posts then I want to make clear I think Clarry is the bee's-knees. One of my top-three favourite players to have ever donned an MFC jumper, and by a pretty fair margin. While we all believe he can still get better, I wouldn't ever question or criticise his determination and commitment to doing so and the service he's provided to date. Goody is most definitely an astute supporter. I don't buy into rumours of him actively seeking to leave the club, but do accept the notion that he may be somewhat unhappy (as verified by some of our better insiders on here). I just don't dig the empathy given to him for being frustrated and that this would somehow justify his departure. It's Carlton for starters. All innuendo for now, but if he cut and run then I would consider him far far lower than $cully (I never really gave a toss about Tom's departure and fully understood it). Clarry is a key pillar to what we are building - and whether he likes it or not - he is now a senior leader of our team. If he rounds out his game then we will be one major step closer. He needs to drive our success, not run away. I hope the club sits down with him and addresses whatever may be bothering him and sell the vision while putting it back on him as well - a la, supposedly, Petracca last year. Then both parties can sign a big fat contract together. I'm frustrated too.

Yep. Ben Brown is worth more than just Ben Brown. Fritsch finished fifth for total and average marks inside-50 this season, while Weid was 10th for averages and seemed to be gaining confidence in this crucial area. In 2019, Brown was fifth and in 2018 TMac finished fifth - the latter's inability as a target to get near it (7 i-50 marks from 9 games) being a serious factor in our early season inability to score. Brown pushes the other two down a rung, and having three competent forward marking targets makes us a dangerous aerial threat. Remember, we still rank highly for i-50s. I'm mostly excited by the impact Brown's recruitment would have on Fritsch - a nightmare match-up if given space to move and jump. Add in a roaming Jackson with proper marking potential. The question over a lack of forward pressure however is fair. Pickett is one chip in place. Maybe Hunt. Sometimes Petracca. Spargo hmm. Bedford who knows. Lockhart too leftfield for a return up front? Melksham is a serious problem. Recruit Tippa alongside Brown and I would do cartwheels for days. Anything else around of this ilk in the draft?

We had a sniff of finals this year - and Clarry only managed 15 possessions against the Bulldogs and was a part of the midfield which let the opposition trample all over us. We are on the cusp of success - which will come quicker if he gets better.

Just an inebriated rant dazzle. Don't mind me.

All advocation for Brown is naturally dependent on due diligence as to his body. Otherwise pick 23 seems about right considering the circumstances. Would throw a minor fraction back, to the equivalent of about 18 - but I don't think clubs care all that much about that nowadays. It all evens up in the wash.

Gus just needs to grow up.

Put a five-year deal in front of him now that's at least a third greater than his current vice-captain. I hope that's what all this fuss is about. I hate player managers, as they commonly don't have their players' best interests in mind. Take the $450,000-10% cut and [censored] the right off. Seriously? Oliver was a fat little country [censored] when he joined us, and then got done drink-driving. We made him. He can get a new contract with the onus on him of delivering us a flag. He is my first love, but I'm feeling feisty with all this contract bull-[censored]. He can be an all-time club-champion if he wants to. I believe.

I would take both Phillips and Smith thanks. One for free and the other for cheap. I think we can fit both into our team, and if not then competition for spots - perfect. Baker also has an incentive to come on. Need more run is the generally accepted idea.

Has shown all of the skill-attributes, on occasion, but never consistently (injuries considered). My concern is the serious drop-off of Melksham - love Goodwin but can't comprehend his faith in Jake - and Hannan is the most natural heir to Melksham should that finally go sour. We feel loaded for HFFs, but not in reality when you think about it. Any pick above 30 and I would keep.

Mature, educated and well-spoken with interests outside of footy.

Yep - all this is fair, except that I get the impression Tom wants to leave. Also while the lost $$$ are huge, not so much as a %. He also seems one of the most likely on our list to be able to forge a post-footy career outside of the industry. I accept that while my values aren't necessarily the same as those of others, I'd like to think I wouldn't care less if I was earning $650,000 or $500,000 if it was a matter of job satisfaction. Anyway, I know there are serious disadvantages to us if we play too hard.

The potential of Oliver breaking out in the same manner as Petracca and consistently delivering what he showed us he was capable of doing at times this year. Two absolute superstars in the one, ably-supported midfield would be insane. A second season of Jackson and Pickett - the former clunking marks at will and the latter nailing his opportunities and continuing to up the pressure - with the full confidence of knowing they belong in the AFL. Add in Rivers and three very exciting prospects. The prospect of further imports in key positions, together with Yze and the retention of Burgess. A repeat of Langdon on the opposing wing would be a delight, while a genuine KPF such as Ben Brown would be transformative to our forward line.