Ron Burgundy

This guy’s important to us. Fingers crossed , this happens.

This is a bit disappointing. Will always remember the sealer in the semi final against the Cats in 2018. Come to think of it, I miss that winning feeling - it's good for the soul.

What’s the alternative? Our season has ended, fyi.

It's a no brainer offering him a 3 year deal, particularly given that: it seems 2 years won't get him across the line; he'll most likely be good for another 3 years, particularly with Burgess managing him; we have a desperate need for the bloke; and like Lewis, he'll bring much needed on-field coaching knowledge and experience. I will be absolutely stoked if we land this guy.

Back at ya PSD.

There was a time when players such as Luke Ball refused to even talk to us in connection with a potential trade. At least we’re no longer in that zone: Vince, Melksham, May, Hibberd, Lever, Lewis, Langdon, Tomlinson. We’re in the conversation these days.

That should be the end of this discussion then. I don’t know why we would even entertain trading him if he’s contracted next year.

Well, at least it’s better than him shaking his head in disbelief.

Perfectly stated.

Pretty sure that’s not the club’s strategy here. And why all the noise about Carlton? If it’s the case that Oliver is actually upset about missing finals, surely he realises that Carlton finished 11th with a percentage of 94.3 (only 0.6 percentage points above Freo). Not an obvious destination for a player apparently wishing to win the flag in the near future.

Geez we miss him. I can’t believe how quickly Roos turned things around, and how well he set it up for us to enjoy sustained success, only to then miss the finals in 2019 and 2020. I wish Rhyce Shaw all the best.

This is going to get ugly. Eddie should be nervous.

The wording by these journos is so unimpressive. ” ... despite interest elsewhere.” Driven by Burgess, or by other clubs albeit with no interest from Burgess?

Throw on another year. Give him 4. Get it done. I’m sick of us being tres ordinaire.

I love Nev. But he looks past his best and is no longer in our best 22. If he wants this, we can’t stand in his way - we owe him all the loyalty and respect in the world, and simply must facilitate this if this is what he requests. Will hate watching him run around in anything but the red and the blue. Disappointing news.

Top dude. I’ll always remember him as a Demon. Even if he doesn’t want me to. I wish him the best.

There’s nothing to see here folks. Move on.

???

Just calling out an inaccurate statement here.

I'm sorry - but we're not North Melbourne. Our window is actually right now. We were in the conversation for a potential top 4 spot prior to the opening round. We've just under-performed over the last 2 years.

Absolute no brainer. We need players who can assist us to win games right now. We made a prelim in 2018, and our core has only matured since then. We haven't got an indefinite window to make, and then win, finals. If we don't win a flag with this crop (or, at least, consistently come very close over the next few years), we're just inept. We've had 2 years of vapid under-performance since 2018 - yet we've got 4 players who were right in the mix for AA contention this year: Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, May. I'm sure several other coaches would love to have this list. Surely we must be aiming for top 4 next year. Smith, if used properly, will only assist in achieving this. He's a consistent, proven performer, who'll only make us better. In fact, I can't believe there's any debate about this to be honest. We'll be lucky to prise him out of the Hawks, but I'll be stoked if we do.

I think Mahoney comes across very well. He’s always struck me as a very competent, knowledgeable and experienced football club GM. I don’t reckon he’s the problem.

?

Surely we’re chatting to him. He was one of our really good coaches, he’s proven, and he enjoys a good relationship with the players. I also hope we’re in Dean Solomon’s ear.

The story here had so much potential but ultimately it delivered a really disappointing outcome. At least it’s resolved any lingering questions as to what Harley could otherwise have achieved in his AFL career. I feed sad about this.