Dee*ceiving

He's a freak athelete Gawn. Built for endurance and with inspiring leavels of resilience and mental strength. We should also consider that Max played very little footy between 17 and 22 due to injury. Plenty of gas in the tank, though I'd prefer he only play 16 - 18 games in the H&A season. If we can find him am effective long term understudy he could go on another 5 years. Every player is only one injury away from retirement whether 21 or 31.

Great work WCW (as always)...You've set some hearts and minds at ease, for now at least!

Agree on McCrae, protected by the media because of Collingwood but he is a whinger of the highest order

I really want to give Tracc the benefit of the doubt here but would love to know how Max really feels about this.

Sarcasm? Not sure this behaviour warrants captaincy. It may in some universe but not on the evidence presented currently./

Dee, I get your logic here but please. He was contracted for next year anyway. We've tacked on 2 more because he's still the best ruck and captain in the league but more importantly the timing of such a commitment speaks volumes, particularly right now! I'd also fully expect that, as others have mentioned, the extension allowed some smoothing of his 2025 earnings. This bloke is Melbourne

The 6 or 8 games we've got into Kolt this year will be a bonus for next year

I'm confident Clayton is going nowhere. Pretty sure Viney will stay put too. But on tracc it's as simple as you've got 5 years left on a contract. Work with us to make us better or retire and rescind your contract. We must not entertain a trade under any circumstance. Refuse to be bullied and stand together. If he's in great. If he's out, he's out on his own, not in other colours.

Love Jack. 7th in the Brownlow last year and has been a warrior year after year. Hope he stays, will be missed if he goes. But, if he goes North, or whoever seeks his service, they must pay up. No freebies. Could be a win win.

Go get em Dees. Statement...

Great point, overall in hindsight I think we've actually done ok considering all the hurdles, those made ourselves and those not our fault, but... We've been stinky in way too many games, either for sizeable chunks (Blues, Dogs, Roos, Lions) or the whole game (Eagles, Dockers, Pies) The silver lining is we blooded some kids this year that have potential (Windsor, Kolt & AMW) and trialled Rivers and Disco in different positions presenting some reason for optimism long term in those roles

I'd argue they do, but not all clubs all of the time. We are definitely a soft target and beacuse of recent success and a raft of high profile players we're in a sweet spot where the general public has some interest and we're not big enough that the media are concerned about [censored] off the club/members. The Collingwood salary cap dump (which I am convinced was a breach papered over), JDG legal issues, racism scandals etc. Didn't get anywhere near the attention we seem to for even minor things like Clayton firing up at Selwyn. Likewise Geelong and Richmond seem to skate along without a lot of media attention. Are there zero fires there? No f'n way...

On field results aside, noting we have had some poor luck this year with close losses and injury, an external review would be a wise move. David Shwarz is as subtle rusty chainsaw but there would definitely be justification for his concern and he legitimately wants what is best for the club. Player behaviours, football department structures, list management, our high performance strategy, injury management, player welfare, board structure/delivery capability, leadership and club alignment all require a good look in my view. We also need to understand why the media seems to lavish airing our dirty laundry more than any other. Are there leaks? Is it trumped up? Do the media know more than they are allowed to say so they continually point to what they can say to keep the heat on? Is AFL house using the media as a tool against us? Publicly Max, Simon, Pert and Richo come across as steady, likeable, reasonable and smart leaders yet we seem to lurch from drama to turmoil to chaos to embarrasment and then back to the start again. Why?

Dogs are flying Many playing injured Viney, Oliver slow Torched in clearance Several not ready Sparrow not humbled TMac rightfully furious Didn't stop trying Prepare for 25

6. Gawn 5. Rivers 4. Fritsch 3. Sparrow 2. Langdon 1. Van Rooyen

Is that considering all the players on the list or the players actually playing for Melbourne? We have a few guys up in age not currently playing in the seniors that would lift our average (Ben Brown, Lachie Hunter, Shane McAdam, Adam Tomlinson come to mind). Agree fitness doesn't seem to have been as strong as previous seasons though.

Bill should get a run of games and might do ok but won't help our midfield balance. We are already one paced at the contest. For mine Sparrow is the superior footballer, bigger, faster, longer kick and proven to be a handy mark but just hasn't been himself this year. Hopefully some time and Casey and a decent preseason will see him back to form.

💯 Definitely should've been a free kick to Koz in the goal square Q1. Plus definitely two 50m penalties not paid to us (Petty and TMac). One would have been a goal to us the other resulted in a goal for them. Plus May push in the back Q4. Read Ivan Munro's Between the Flags. If you're not already that convinced of headquarters long running apathy and not so subtle thumb on the forehead of the Redlegs you will be. We are still paying the price for the advantages of being the only MCG tenant for ~70 years (and perhaps the behaviours of the club and it's supporters in the 50s and 60s).

Definitely. Ultimately in the event Clarrie is courted and he firmly believes the grass is greener it will be up to his manager and the clubs to find a deal that benefits all parties, else Clarrie's tied to us for another 5+ years.

100% The club has stated for years they will only trade players in or out if it has the potential to make our team better or the player cannot be placated to stay.

I think that's plausible dazzle but I can't imagine this would eventuate if the only benefit to the club would be second round draft pick and cash dump. It would need to be mutually beneficial else you remain wedded and it's in the best interest of the club and Clarrie to find a way to fit and for Clarrie to get back to his best.

Good news, smart to hang on to the talls we have particulary with a few the wrong side of 30. Only 24 years old, Harry's played 77 games for the Dees, I'd suggest we've been more pleased than displeased with his performances in those 77 games. Definitely battled this year as a forward/ruck off limited preseason and with some injury struggles but I'd suggest his last 4 games has been his best block of form and was possibly our best player vs Fremantle. Will/would return to the backline if/when feasible. Would need someone else to pick up CHF (maybe Jeffo in time) and probably for TMac to make way. The time will come... We shouldn't disregard the selflessness in the role Harry has played this year. Team player!

The club has stated for years they will only trade players in or out if it has the potential to make our team better or the player cannot be placated to stay. Ridiculous of the media to think that Clarrie can't get back to his best form, of course he can, and they know that. But they also know controversy creates cash. IMV, they only way Clarrie isn't at the Dees next year is Clarrie asks/demands to be traded, and/or; Moving Clarrie allows us to obtain another player or 2 to (potentially) make us better. No way he get's traded as a cash dump.

if they're smart they'd throw him right back

Kynan Brown, 24 tackles, take a bow young man!