Choko

And saying that your view is being misrepresented when it isn't gives no further credence to your point.

Hold on. The AFLPA on behalf of its members has rejected the offer, which it is entitled to do. The PA has backed down on claims for a revenue sharing arrangement and backed down on a number of other matters. In rejecting the offer, they rightly say that if they are dropping the revenue share arrangement, they don't want a 5 year deal, because that deal is too long to project the impact of the current wages. That's also a risk for the PA (see Optus in the news today?), because there may be less money on offer in 3 years. The PA also adjusted its increases to 7%, 7% and 6% over the 3 years (it was 11%, 5%, 3% x 3) as an ambit position but recognising that the deal the AFL had offered was front-loaded. The AFL upped its offer despite saying it had no more money. The AFL misled the media yesterday shockingly when they said that the PA was being disingenuous by trying to simple steal the best bits of a front loaded deal (where in fact the PA changed the loading). So they are both playing games, but the AFL is worse. And if the players have an over-inflated sense of expectation, it is because Vlad has created a system in which Geelong's best player is on $600K, and a 30 gamer with dodgy knees is on $2M.

We will end up with an excellent coach. Even if we don't land a big fish, I reckon we will be just fine. The assistants available at the moment IMO have the best pedigree of any era I can recall. We need CC out, a new footy director (Garry full time or someone from outside of the MFC culture), and really solid assistants if it's a 1st time coach. If it's MM, then it will speak for itself.

But it is certainly not not about the money

I felt exactly the same way. If we could be guaranteed success with whatever choice we made, I would have chosen anyone over Lyon!!! Now let's hope the first part of my statement is correct!!!!

Wow, what a turn of events! Let me tell you, we could do a lot worse than Harvey for coach. I really rate him highly. He has a good mix of mongrel and teacher, and I have watched the Dockers closely, he was decimated by injuries and but for that, he would absolutely have been top 4 this year in my view. I think he has really built that list from bottom up in the right way, and had the game plan to take the Dockers all the way. Unless there is more to why they got rid of him (i.e. lost the players, he's got some other problems), I am definitely keen on him. Very keen.

I asked Tom fairly recently (3 weeks ago) how much his knee is going to be an issue over the journey, and he said it isn't an issue at all. Then again, I suppose he would say that.

Well then you and pipe are just as silly as each other. Did you hear one bad word about the club from Jimmy? No. For the slow amongst us who still think Tom Scully is number 31 for Melbourne, the reason the McD situation was bad was because WE STUFFED IT UP. Don't believe me - believe the club, who admitted it.

It's now the entertainment industry. That is how it is. It's not how it was. It's never going back though.

A strong club does not have to live off the AFL's grants. That is all.

LOL. Old, the bad news is that these stages of coping with loss are widely accepted to not necessarily happen chronologically, and worse still, you can go between them just once you think you are through the one before it! Bargaining doesn't usually mean draft picks, but hey, I like the analogy nonetheless. Then again, I am still in stage 1, because I think he will change his mind tomorrow.... won't he?

Great news re Martin, and a really good opportunity for Morton to repay the faith.

I actually don't get it. The system is the problem. What's Tom meant to have done differently? AFL is littered with players who are intending to play elsewhere, but are in a certain jumper at the time. The reality is, he didn't want to put himself in a compromised position during the season, but he didn't want to shut the door on the opportunity to earn a f*ckload of cash. So he played coy. What Davis did the club didn't even see coming! What Ward did was similar to Scully, without the fanfare of him being a 1st rounder. What Gunston did today to the Crows was far far worse - he actually led the club on and then blind sided them totally. Move on!

Agree with all the parochialism about Tom. Not really, but hey, it's theapeautic, so he can get stuffed. But for those who are fatalistic about the football club and are calling this a black day, embarrassing, devastating, etc... let me say this: The Melbourne Football Club will always be better off with players who want to play for us. If Scully doesn't see our vision, he can go buy a big 3D HD TV in Sydney, to watch our next 5 years of constant rise to premierships. Things have a way of equalising themselves out. Geelong is better this year without Ablett, plus they have enough money to pay all their other players, and 2 draft picks to buy them sustained success for the better part of the next 10 years. If Brisbane could have had the same for a couple of its stars 3 years ago, they would be top 8 now. So it's not embarrassing. It's a once in a lifetime chance to cash in for $cully. It's not the club's best day, but it's certainly far from our worst.

I have heard that one too. I am a massive Mitch Clark fan, so would love this to happen for the right price.

Well that's just untrue, for 2 reasons. Richmond re-signed Martin despite buckets being thrown at him too. Collingwood Swan, Thomas and Pendlebury. There's other similar examples. Whether they are a no. 1 draft pick who has delivered nothing or a later draft pick who has delivered a bit is irrelevant. If you don't see that this has part to do with the money on offer, and part to do with the problems at our club, then your eyes are closed.

I want to hate Lloyd. I really do.

Jack, it sounds like you had a cold and a bout of insight all at the same time!! David King is a very poor analyst, who rarely makes a good point. He was widely considered a poor assistant coach, and his views on the game are a poor attempt at interpreting contemporary football. Actually listening to him and following what he was saying, then listening to Leigh Matthews, demonstrates it fully. Grant Thomas is just an old school bloke. He backs his man, hates city hall and is basically nasty. Unlike King, at least he knows who he is. Luke Darcy accused Davey of faking an injury against St Kilda, and failed to be accountable for that when Davey was out for 8 weeks as a result of the injury - that's good acting by Davey!!! Listening to Gerard Healy is like listening to a year 10 impersonating a professor. He thinks he sounds smart, but alas, no. IMO, the only ones worth listening to are Matthews, Lloyd, Brereton, Roos and Wilson (for off field matters). I may have forgotten 1 or 2, but not more.

Why? Are you suggesting more Collingwood, and less Melbourne, supporters would answer their home phones at 2pm on a Tuesday?!

Not sure about the Hun article, and with the Hun, my advice is to stick to the pictures. Having said that, Cam Schwab and others at the club have made the point for a long time that, for conversion of supporters to members, we fare amongst the very best. Our challenge is to grow our supporter base. That is why Casey is an important endeavour, as is China (at least in principle!).

Agree with that.

No, I don't know Tom particularly well. But all I am saying is that I think we should all reserve judgment until he has made his decision.

That's just patently wrong. Daisy Thomas? Swan? Do you honestly think GWS wouldn't want gun players from any club? Of course they would. It's just that the stronger clubs have more going for them than the weaker clubs (in many ways, including ability to set up players for life after football), so those players are less likely to leave.

Since you are attacking his reputation, I suppose if he stays you and those like you will give us your real names, the names of your workplaces (or schools more likely) and we can all attack your characters.

Zero chance. Both nuts. Lyon - won't say which!