Adam The God

I'd actually argue we've had too many factions and too many people trying to rock the boat at the wrong times and then not knowing when to act at the right times.

Hang on. This is football operations, almost certainly falls under the remit of the FD. You can't blame the board or the administrative leadership for the FD's failings on planning these trips. The distinct impression I got from Goodwin in his post presser after the Sydney debacle was that he was [censored] off with our management of it. If you go back to that press conference, when he's asked whether there was anything in this, he hesitates and then goes on to say something along the lines of all teams have had to deal with challenges this year.

I don't mind any of this necessarily. If Smith is a serious contender, it will keep Bartlett and co honest. There is one interesting point to note. Wilson says: "The president has never truly won back the trust or respect of those directors nor their networks despite the fact that several continue to give large donations to the club. Nor did Bartlett win friends at the MCC, a relationship he has never prioritised and one that Jackson did." I was speaking to an influential MCC board member not too long ago and the distinct impression I got of the MCC's view of the MFC, or at least the view of that board member I spoke to, wasn't particularly complimentary. In fact, I'd call it dismissive.

I've been pretty consistent on my views vis a vis Viney for a while.

It's all well and good to discuss not signing Viney up, but if I was the FD, I'd be saying, Jack, you're going to play defensive roles through midfield, pressure roles through the forwardline and if Oliver or Petracca is not starting at a particular centre bounce, by all means, we'll throw you in there. If he chooses not to accept this, then Jack is overrating his abilities. He's not as clean as Oliver or Petracca and he doesn't use the ball as well either. Now, I'm not sure what's been said to Jack, but it could well be something like the above. Or it may well be that the contract terms are lower than his expectations, because he isn't going to be the number one or even number two mid in our team. If he bleeds red and blue, he'll sign on the dotted line and perform the role we expect of him. If his ego is as such that he believes he's the best mid at our club, then off he goes. I am of the same view as some, that we don't want to 'push' him out. But offer him a contract that is equivalent to the third or fourth best mid and let him make up his mind.

Sad if he goes from a sentimental and family history perspective, but I think it's better for the our football club now.

We've dealt with this quite a bit. He completely changed his system this year. They rarely play to it and don't seem to entirely understand it.

Williams may well be a FA. Kelly based on his contract size is probably worth more than Max, but Kelly is a good kick, can accumulate, have a feeling he's plateaued though.

You seem to rely on puns a bit, Kent.

I'd run defensive forwards through there as we did in 2018. I'd like to think Bennell might be able to get involved too, but his tackling left a lot to be desired this year.

The internal review conducted last year, as opposed to the external review that was really needed, IMV, may well have set the club back a year.

Interested by the amount of agreement on this...

Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw and Harmes is our best midfield IMV.

Yeah, that's what I meant, I guess. Bit of lowballing, combine that with taking the captaincy off him and yoyoing him in and out of midfield.

The bleeds red and blue thing is rubbish of anyone. I like to think of myself as an optimist outside of footy, but anyone can be turned. Have the club decided what a few of us seemed to hint at throughout the year, that we're more efficient without Jack, and therefore haven't offered him a contract?

We absolutely do have midfield depth. Petracca, Oliver, Harmes, Viney, Brayshaw are 5 very solid mids.

See, to me, the players can absolutely be the tail wagging the dog here. If Petracca and/or Oliver put their hands up to be traded, you can bet the club, as a business, will make the call to the AFL and they'll get rid of Goodwin. Clubs are on a knives edge in the COVID environment. I'd be staggered if they haven't already broached all these options with the AFL much earlier this year.

Jeepers, imagine if Moonie was Lord Nev, he'd be copping [censored] from the ET's of the world.

Hasn't really kicked on his early career form. He used to be quite explosive around stoppages I thought, he's lost that with injury and his disposal is ho-hum. I'd pass here.

I think you needed to work in the water (Port) factor into that a little better.

Interesting team. This is how I see it. (@Werridee will love this thread) I'd have Tomlinson in the back 6 or a traded in KPD, but I wouldn't have Hore in the team at all. Petty definitely ahead of him. I'd love Bennell to be able to play on a wing, but is his body up to it? As it stands, I don't think Melksham and Fritsch can play in the same team. I reckon three or four places on the bench are up for grabs.

Moon-man, what you doing here? A bit of [censored]-teasing? Just drop a bit of a bomb and then nick off? Could you have at least put it in riddle form?

I'm pretty sure Pert would have refused various questions. This is the corporate world. You have a brand and you have a strategy attached to that. Anyone expecting to gain true insight is naive IMO.

You'd need players, not picks, so I suppose it depends who you're trading with. If it's GWS are Kelly or Finlayson a net win versus Max? Probably not. Kelly and Williams? Maybe.

Go on...