Longsufferingnomore

Absolutely agree R. For once we outsmarted 'them". All the talking up prior to the end of last season, the "knee" and the so called "offers" and what did we get - money in the bank, draft picks and maybe more importantly our silence (in view of GWS drafting indiscretion) may win us future concessions from Vlad. Most importantly it allowed us to go for Clark who I believe will be one of the most important signings the Club has made in terms of leadership. Don't know whether it has been mentioned here as it is a GWS V Richmond thread. I was told today that Richmond are after Cameron offering him up to $250,000.

But when his name was announced there was an embarrassing very low key applause. Everyone was thinking the same thing and he would have noticed it or maybe not his ego is that big.

Luke Ball wasnt going anywhere but Collingwood.

Geelong tried to have a third party arrangement for GA Jnr and were told an emphatic NO.

I think it is interesting that the players referred to Neeld as"Neeldy" and "Craigy" etc which says a lot about their relationship with the players. I think it was Jones who especially thanked Neil Craig and interestingly thanked our friend Gerard Healey for his mentoring role which makes his instigation of the Brock McLean 'affair" even more interesting. All the players emphasised that they need to get set for another really hard preseason. Nathan said that he enjoyed the hard preseason set for them by Misson. They all thanked the supporters for sticking with them and that the support that they had got throughout the season really did mean something to them. There was a really great send off to Greeny and he did say that he would like to stick around the Club. Standing ovation. Beamer got a rousing ovation when Nathan thanked him which was a good way for him to leave the Club. Nathan ended his speech by telling the players to enjoy their time off, to look after each other but come back in shape and be prepared to work their backsides off. Listening to Nathan I am inclined to believe that he would have made a great captain. However Jack Grimes showed himself also to be a leader of men. He does have something about him that when he speaks people will listen and follow. He has a calmness and seems just so levelheaded. To me our leadership group will be a powerful force and will change the culture at the Club. The C word was mentioned either by Jack or Nathan and in terms that with the work they were doing on the track the culture would change. I liked what I heard from all the players. Neeld spoke well. There were no jokes but an acknowledgement of what the Club had been through the year. I liked that he said that he was emotionally invested in the Club. Cam S well I just found him boring. It was his delivery not the story of the history of the 1950's team. Tom McD will be a champion. Loved that his Mum couldnt be there because she had to look after the "others". All in all a good night. Can't wait for 2013. There will still be major changes to come though.

What on earth does the fact that he was brought up in Brighton got to do with his lack of or desire of competitiveness. The need to compete at a certain level comes from within and whether he comes from Brighton or Boronia should not be a factor at all.

Special outside extra curricular deals for coaches are OK with the AFL, aren't they.

WJ you missed out Gent. All I am asking for is some kind of compromise which allows the two parties to work together. What I want for my club (MFC) is that we are able to grow our membership otherwise we will remain a minow.

I just do not understand why MFC would put so much effort into the region to build up a new supporter base and then weaken the relationship and surely their cause like they are doing. As I said during last weeks game I overheard someone from Casey bemoaning the fact that their were two players who only had to play one more game to be eligible to play with Casey but the MFC played them at Fremantle. I have yet to take time to sort through the team for that night but he also made the comment that they (MFC) have done it again to Casey again after setting players for early operations. There are few areas where MFC can build up a new supporter base and from my understanding in all other aspects the relationship had improved. The players participation in local community and school programmes certainly is appreciated and that is where a new generation of supporters will be emanate from. This relationship needs nurturing and some kind of compromise on boths sides is required.

Is Cook still in the team?

I think Bluey and Stui are from the same genetic pool.

What did Rudeboy say. Did he confirm Ports comments.

Only a rumour but I have heard that Strauss is also not happy and looking for a trade.

Being a MFC supporter I went out yesterday to support Casey. I was interested to hear complaints about MFC pulling out players from Casey when they were in the finals. Not sure if there is any truth to this but apparently there were 2 MFC players who were one game short of playing for Casey and Melbourne played them on Saturday night. The argument was that Melbourne were never going to win on Saturday so why wouldnt you give Casey a better chance of winning on Sunday. The comment was they did it last year and they have done it again. This was from a Casey "official" not sure in what capacity. I would hope that the relationship would be better handled this year than last. Nice to see Fitzy and Tynan at the game (fresh off the plane)

I understand what you are getting at Robbo but I dont believe that the Club could have done anything to keep Scully apart from offering more money and if you had seen Beamer play yesterday well if a person had any pride about how he plays and what he stands for Beamer surely would not even get an offer from Nar Nar Goon North at the moment(Sorry to anybody from Nar Nar Goon North). He sooked big time yesterday. Even the week before there was more enthusiasm. Isn't it best that they do not give in to personalities like Beamer who seem to think they are entitled because they may have won a B&F. By all accounts he is a super person and has been passionate about our Club throughout the years but he let himself down big time yesterday. If he thought he was a leader yesterday was the day to stand up. Kyle Matthews stood up despite all that has happened to him over the years. So don't blame the Club. Standing him down from the leadership and the Seniors was a great indication that the "Culture" at the Club has changed and is still changing and after today we will see more changes. The tail has stopped wagging the dog.

Geez Stuie have a look in the mirror

If true how sad he wasn't given a more fitting farewell. Hopefully he will be at B&F and I for one will be thanking him for his contribution.

Looks like a great side. Bugger Father's Day. Be there.

Has anyone thought that maybe Greeny as Captain last year aware of the unprofessionalism at the Club should have stood up to those who were unprofessional. Why complain about it now when being Captain you are charged with the right to pull those players up or at least show by his own actions. Unfortunately maybe Greeny was too weak a leader to do the former. If that is the case then the 2 Jacks are going to find it difficult to change the attitude of any senior player with a soft attitude. It is slowly becoming all so clear how massive a job Neeld was handed at the beginning of the year. Not only were we seriously unfit but worse some of the senior players were leading the way with the bad attitude. You cant blame the younger players when they see players who they should be looking up to doing what they were doing. Neeld is like a breath of fresh air and it will take time to clear the stench.

He was actually told at the beginning of the year to lose weight. The FD intention was to be able to run, run, run and they believed that some of the players were too bulky to be able to achieve the distances that were required.

What abouat his comment that the way the senior players were playing they were definitely not playing for their coach and that there was seriously something wrong "down there". His other comment about the chances of teams playing next week in particular Fremantle against MFC, he described us as "that outfit". Even the other commentator said we can see where his allegiance lie. He totally denigrates Melbourne every chance he gets. How would he know if the senior players were or weren't playing for the Coach. He couldnt even get the names of the players right and at one stage said that Frawley had kicked the ball when he had handballed it. Couldnt play, couldnt coach and certainly cant commentate.

Big statement - who apart from DN pulled out of a contest.

Rushing out with 10 minutes to go against the roos to find the queue that had formed at half time which included my chair only to find that the queue had moved and my chair with it. Then I frantically tried to find the queue and my chair. A very nice lady had moved my chair with her when they had been asked to move by MCG. Siren goes and masses of people surge out to push their way to the front of the queue. I found myself about 13th from front to about 200th. There were a lot of filthy people that night but it couldnt beat the thought that we were in the finals. Oh God to have that thrill again.

Hello!!

All those landers who denigrate the fundraising or moan about the exclusivity of the Foundation members I think you are forgetting the obvious. The Clubs that have to market such clubs are the lower ranking Clubs. Dont you think Collingwood and Hawthorn have the same Clubs but we dont ever hear about them. Their funds just roll in without raising a media eyebrow. Be thankful that we have generous backers and that we are not reduced to a rug being carried around the boundary accompanied by the local boys brigade band!