Nasher

Would never attempt to hold the club to ransom over making the decisions they are paid to make, and reckon anyone that would needs to get a grip and rein in their own sense of self-importance.

The club is aware of the implications of his contract - they're not stupid. Mahoney said in his statement that if Jack stays, they are clear on what is required. They are just as prepared for the possibility of him staying as they are of him going. It's really in Jack's hands now, although probably also dependent on us receiving a worthwhile offer for him.

Adelaide fans want to make Lever walk to the draft to "make a statement" to other clubs. That statement would be "if you won't pay our price, we're willing to accept nothing at all". I really get a kick out of how totally moronic people can get when it comes to their footy teams. Emotion has trumped all reason, and not in a good Titus way. There is absolutely no way Lever will make it to the draft. None.

He has a point though. JKH was retained when others have been reminded of the nearest exit. That he has one more year to prove himself is a fact. I'd love to hear from the Casey watchers because mid season he seemed to go up a gear and strung together a number of 40 possession games. If he can translate that in to a regular 25 in the seniors then there's a spot for him. Like many here I'm sceptical, but the FD who know a lot more about footy than I do have backed him. I am prepared to remain open minded.

Headline: Man goes to tip while packing up house to move interstate. FMD.

But surely for every fan who swallows that horse crap, there's another standing there going "whaaaaaaaa?" Maybe I'm just naive but I don't see what's wrong with just getting the job done without all the BS.

I would love to be a fly on the wall in Birdman's negotiations with the 9 clubs though. Burton: Jake Lever's coming to Vic. What are you offering? Other manager: Jog on idiot, we've been talking to his manager all year and we know he ain't coming here. Stop wasting our time.

I tell you what, if I was running the Adelaide Crows right now, I'd be raising some serious concerns over the competence of my general manager of footy. Lever informs club of his intention to go, and nominates Melbourne. Birdman Burton meets with Melbourne. Melbourne opens negotiations in good faith, offerings its first and second draft picks - currently the best currency it has Burton has the option of negotiating. No, Melbourne, we need two first round draft picks. It doesn't have to be 10, you can use that in other trades to get us our two. We would consider a 2018 first rounder as one if you can net one, or use your own. Get on the hunt and we'll talk... Instead, Burton just walks out without comment. Negotiations stall as a result. Neither club now have any idea what other avenues to start exploring. Lots of time leading up to trade week to go to waste as a result. Burton then stands in front of the media and carries on like a butthurt fan. It's all about the money, he says. Message to current Adelaide players: "don't come to us to try and get more money. And if you do and we try to screw you over, don't even think about leaving or we will besmirch your name to the best of our ability." Burton says, "we'll negotiate with the 9 other Victorian clubs as well, to get the best deal." For Christ sake Brett, no you won't. Lever wants to go to Melbourne. If you don't negotiate with Melbourne, Lever will walk and you'll get f*** all in return. Once you start being pricks about it, Lever will get to the point where he'll happily risk going to Brisbane or North just to p*** you off. Don't reckon Melbourne fans or administration wouldn't even blame him. You've got a good starting point for a deal on the table, but you'd prefer to risk it all, and do untold reputational damage to your own club, just to look good in front of your fans. Typical ex-footy player promoted well above his skill level. I'm so happy Josh Mahoney has grown in to the role that he has. I'd hate to see a hot-headed oaf in charge like they've got.

Crows fans have already started with the old "he's not even that good anyway". Sorry, he is.

That's nice from the MFC's view, but for a club without a coach, GCS would be putting a fair bit on the line for a player like Watts. If I were Jack's manager I'd strongly suggest he looks at clubs with very strong cultures; and the advice from the player and his manager will dictate which club(s) the MFC focuses its deals on.

What do you reckon about @Crystal Deesproposal for trade with Richmond: Melbourne give: 10, 27, 45 Melbourne receive: 15, 17, 53 It satisfies Adelaide's demand for two first round picks, and keeps our 2018 first round pick up our sleeve for another trade. Edit: judging by Burton's behaviour in the media yesterday, and the reports of him walking out without replying to our offer of 10 + 27, the strategic plan should probably involve keeping the discussions with Adelaide themselves to a minimum, rather than seeking out a more complex deal with them. They are fast developing a reputation of being unreasonable at the trade table.

TMac will surely play the Watts role, which both terrifies and excites me.

He should have OMac in there somewhere and TMac in the forward line, though, so he only gets half a point.

I thought Adelaide were just posturing with their demands of two first rounders, but now that I've seen Brett Burton's public man tantrum, I have zero expectation of them being reasonable trading partners. Wow, what an absolute tool.

I understand why they might feel a double standard initially, without wanting to sound too dismissive, I suspect they'll get over it. Hopefully they understand that this is how you lure elite players to the club. The message is still true anyway. It will be tempting for some players to head off for more money. They should ask themselves though, is that what they really want to do?

Fuxake, fence. Bet you weren't complaining one iota in 2011/2012 when Trengove was one of the very few shining lights in our pus side. Tell me when Trengove re-signed in the face of 186, we were up to our neck in the Scully thing, and Dustin Martin was nobody, you were saying "if only we'd picked Dusty". I'm all for slamming the club for terrible recruiting. Decisions like the Cook and Gysberts ones were a joke. But sometimes you just have to accept that s*** happens. He looked every bit an elite talent for years and is clearly a quality, professional individual. Nobody could possibly have predicted that it would turn out the way it has.

Not number 35 by any chance?

It still annoys me that people take such great delight in players being delisted. It seems unnecessarily spiteful to me. It was obvious to everyone that Kennedy would be delisted. You can't play zero games at his age when fully fit and expect to survive. There's no need to dance on his grave.

"Giving" him a rookie spot involves delisted and re-drafting. You have to be prepared to lose the player taking that path. I get the feeling they rate him. He's big, tough and quick - if he can get fit, I think he'll remind us why we were all so excited when he first burst on to the scene.

Exactly. A draft pick to be on-traded is the most likely outcome in a Watts trade. Player-for-player direct swap trades are very rarely high profile. They're usually two fringe players the respective clubs reckon they can use (and afford to offload).

Played a different role this year of course, but looked well down on most aspects of his game. Statistically his worst season in almost every aspect since 2007 - though that could be because of the role. The discipline issues were particularly disappointing. That said, I've loved what he has brought to the MFC and I'm proud to have him as a Demon. I'm hopeful for a late resurgence, but if it doesn't come and he peters out at Casey, it won't change my view of him. Happy birthday Bernie!

Absolutely nothing about this idea makes sense. If we trade Watts, it is in exchange for long term improvement. I haven't the words to express how upset I'd be if this happened - not that it will.

If I remember rightly Sloane isn't our biggest fan after we jilted him at the draft for Jamie Bennell.

Haven't heard one single sook from a Richmond supporter about having to wear the clash jumper yet. I even tried to goad a couple of them from work in to a rant and got doughnuts. Funny how a flag can make these matters seem trivial. If anything for them, it has added meaning to that jumper rather than taking any gloss off the flag.

Yep, shocking example but it was the best I could manage on such short notice ?