praha

We were definitely a chance but we choked. Which is a dirty word here. We simply weren't polished or refined enough in our attack and we panicked often. Hawthorn of 2012-2015 and Geelong of the 2020s wins that game every time with that many entries. What separated us from the great teams was being able to perform on the biggest of big stages: finals at the MCG.

So we were close... 4 times in a row?

I mean, it's cheeky. But it's dumb. Daicos is a gun.

The issue was never really how Oliver "looked" though. He has been doing extensive self-care in his own time (physically, at least) since at least the end of 2022. We know this because he shared it often on social media. I was against getting rid of him right up until we did and I realised why the club feels the way they do about him. His behaviour and reaction post-trade hasn't been great towards a club he won 4 B&Fs and a flag at... but at the same time I empathise with him because who wouldn't feel bitter when you're pushed out the door of a place you're trying hard to be better in. As I mentioned earlier in the thread I fully expect him to start strongly and make a big difference initially at GWS, but I dont think it'll last long. If he ever does get back to his consistent best I reckon it won't be for at least another year or two. And let's be real about the interest. At his age, with his history (both storied and not-so-storied), the only teams that would be interested would be those that consider themselves in the window. Then remove those teams who dont need a player like Oliver. THEN remove those teams that aren't prepared to manage his behavioural issues. It was always going to be a small pool of interest but he was always going to find a home. If it wasn't going to be GWS another suitor would have popped up.

Voted the best game of the year. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1459803 Must admit, it must have been a great game to watch as a neutral if you stayed tuned.

Captain obvious. We're in rebuild mode. I wouldn't expect us to play finals until probably 2028.

You're not wrong but the cost to build a green rating-building is astronomical. But that's the societal expectation these days. And cost expectations are relative. The LA Clippers stadium cost 2 billion USD and it seats 18k. But it's the best fan experience in the country, probably in the world. So relative to construction costs for a modern stadium in Australia in 2025, 1 billion is actually reasonable... but that comes with an expectation of an exceptional fan and public experience. Marvel cost $850 million in 2024 dollars. And the stadium is pretty average. Excluding additional costs to upgrade and still the fan experience isn't great. The cost to build in Australia is just too high to get true value for money unless you go above and beyond.

He was the gazelle before he was the ox. 9 goals vs Sydney at the SCG in 1994 one of the single best performances I've ever seen from a Melbourne player. He was good in 1999 but the team had a shocking year. 1994 was easily his best year. If not for injuries to pretty much every single one of our best 22 at some point during the year we could well have gone all the way. We had the pieces everywhere.

The game changes and evolves in waves. It'll soon return to what it was 4-5 years ago, probably again in Oliver's career. It is always dictated by the best team. The best teams since 2021 have been fast chaotic scorers which ironically was how we played in 2016-2019. We set the standard in 2021 and much of 2022 with a hyper defensive team style that Richmond won flags off and set the standard for: scoring off your defensive line and at stoppages. Collingwood and Geelong flipped that with super quick transition that unsurprisingly teams like Melbourne couldn't keep up with. It'll take one team perfecting the defensive line against that type of attack to once again return to how it was at the start of the decade. We'll probably get there before the end of this. I fully anticipate Oliver to start strongly, fall off pace a bit, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is back in the top 10% of players by 2028-2029.

Arrival To Earth from the first Transformers movie.

I actually think that comment was more influential on the decision that the result itself. I couldn't believe my ears when he said that. I think it was pretty clear he was done at that point.

It's all a big conspiracy! 🙄

Sorry, where in the letter does it specifically tell us who to vote for?

I am far more optimistic going in 2026 than I was 2025.

Stuff that. AFL Membership. Wait 20 years for Gold. Get access 40+ games a year, essentially guarenteed access to Prelim and GF if your team makes it, BUT be surrounded by opposition supporters AND use the worst facilities in the MCG.

I fully expect him to have great 2026. He will definitely end up as one of the Dockers' all-time greats!

He share two stories attacking Tom Morris for his comments about Steele being a better character than Oliver, and then shared an image with Harmes, Ugle-Hagan, and some randoms. The photo with Ugle-Hagan I don't mind, but the posts about Tom Morris were in poor taste. If I were GWS I'd definitely be telling him to tone it done. He's been a bit unhinged lately. He's definitely turned me off a bit during the trade period.

Just give us the flag now.

They're not offering more because we've publicly stated he will be playing VFL. No one else is prepared to take on 800k in their cap for a player that can't break into a side that finished 14th. We publicly diminished his value and are now going to actually get way below what he is actually worth. Behaviour aside, he is still worth a late first round pick at absolute worst. GWS is laughing at us. It tells you that we showed our entire hand to the poker table and still went all in despite having a 72 off, expecting others at the table to tap out.

Just makes my decision to suspend my membership next year all the more logical. Gobsmacked at the stupidity of this club. Tell the world he is a VFL player. And then get an offer for a third round pick, while still paying half his salary. Just an absolute shambles.

You new here?

Clearly Bailey is being held hostage by GC. Only one person can negotiate his release.

You can't blame them though. Equalisation was tracking well before COVID hit. Richmond, for as big as they are, proved that you can build a Dynasty through strong draft and player development. The Bulldogs won, Hawthorn had fallen... COVID really brought the league to the brink and they'll be looking to crawl it back for at least another decade. This means ensuring the big clubs are at the top, helping teams in smaller markets outside of Vic grow the game's footprint, etc etc. This leaves smaller clubs in established markets to fend for themselves now because the AFL is focused on getting back to what it was. COVID has played a big role in the current focus of the league.

Is the reason the deal hasn't already gone through for 7 and 8 because we are still trying for Humphrey? It doesn't make much sense to me that the deal wouldn't already be done if it's just for picks. Are there other dominoes we need to fall before doing it?

I volunteer as tribute.