Dr. Gonzo

Where was it last year when it counted, Mumford failed to fire a shot in the GF last year

Nah we need Mumford out their belting the Saints this week haha

Weideman? Drafting is an inexact science. Even the best don't nail 100% of their picks and then you have to look at development post drafting as well How do our picks over the last 6 or 7 years stack up against the rest of the comp. That's where you can start to judge how good Taylor has been. Our drafting prior to him was diabolical so maybe he just looks good in comparison? Or maybe he is hitting above average compared to the rest of the league? I don't know but would be interesting to see some comparisons.

Sucked in Carlton hahaha

That's all fair enough and I hope you're right. Just feels like more 1 step forward 2 steps back if we lose him.

Any day not working is a break even if you are stuck at home. It's a mental break more than anything.

My interpretation - it would be strange to not have heard about it as either we have offered something which Viney has knocked back to explore his options or we haven't offered anything and advised him to explore his options. Considering he is a free agent and the home and away season is almost finished it's strange we haven't sewn up a new deal for our 26yo VC especially considering how quick we've been to thrown contracts around in the past. The only time I remember a player signing late in the year who ended up staying was Hogan maybe 2017? And then he ended up leaving in 2018 anyway.

I don't agree with that, Dodoro is pretty notorious for driving a hard bargain. It's the reason the Shiel deal went down to the wire, the reason Daniher didn't go to the Swans etc Difficult to deal with may be the wrong term but I'd say we would end up paying more than what he is worth if we wanted to get him

So why the talk of him leaving? Hawthorn clearing the decks for a hard rebuild? If so they'd be looking at a 2nd round pick which is more than I'd be willing to pay.

If they haven't put something on the table for him then they're almost forcing his hand.

If we can't find a way to fit his single minded will to win and his ferocity at the contest into our team that is on us. Getting rid of a player like that for "cultural reasons" would be a damning indictment on the team and club.

I think it's risky relying on the likes of Melksham (a half forward who has been in poor form or injured for 2 years), ANB (a fringe player who would be considered for delisting if he wasn't contracted), Harmes (another who has been out of form for 2 years albeit not played in his strongest position), AVB (another fringe player with suspect disposal who can barely get hands on the footy) and Brayshaw (a player who has proven to be injury prone throughout his career and is potentially one KO away from retirement - also undergone surgery to his foot which has all but finished the careers of many Melbourne players over the last decade). If he leaves we deal with it but I hope the club isn't pushing him towards the door. As I asked above, have we even offered him a contract?

Two things I will say about Mumford - I would love a player like that on our team and where was that aggression in the Grand Final last year??

Exactly. Mihocek would replace Fritsch/Hannan/Melksham as a mid range forward. He would not be competing for a spot with Weid or Jackson

IF we could land him (which is no more than a wish at this stage) we would be playing him off half back or maybe a wing. He wouldn't get much time in the middle.

Who is in our midfield rotation next year (when normal length quarters resume)? Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Harmes? Salem? VDB? Melksham? Sparrow... I think some are understating Viney's value. We wouldn't want to lose Viney and then have Brayshaw considering his career after another headknock. It would be pretty slim pickings.

Demonland wants Vandenberg in the team because he makes teammates walk taller getting 6 or 7 touches a games yet is happy to see the back of Viney? Maybe we can sign ANB, Hannan or Wagner up for a few more years with the money we save on Viney. Give me strength.

Have the club even offered him a contract? I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere though to be fair I haven't read through this thread or even read many articles on this I would be shattered to see Viney leave, he's not my favourite but he is a genuine heart and soul player who I thought was single-minded in his desire to see Melbourne be successful. A 2nd generation player and 2nd generation captain of the club who wanted to do what his dad couldn't and bring some success to the club. To have him walk out would be embarrassing and saddening

The biggest con is having to deal with Essendon. Notoriously difficult to deal with although we did get Hibberd and Melksham from them. If he's available get him, it's a no brainer. But I doubt he'll leave Essendon won't let him go.

Is Gunston a FA? Surely he's been at the Hawks long enough to qualify for FA. If so I'd grab him and try and get a 2nd rounder for Fritsch. If he's not a FA I wouldn't want to trade more than a 3rd rounder for him.

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He didn't sling which is how they'll rationalise not giving him anything. Could be deemed a dangerous tackle though (think Kozzies ones against the Lions earlier this year) and get a fine, honestly it's probably not worthy of anything but no doubt the AFL would look after their favourites especially those in Brownlow / finals contention.

Following in Carlton's footsteps. It's funny because Sheedy was a Richmond person before going there. It's a dumb discussion for mine, once you join a club you become part of that club. Sheedy is one example but there are many. Hardwick was an Essendon/Port person until he became Richmond coach. Now he would consider himself as much a Richmond man as he ever was a Bombers or Power man. It's happened throughout the course of the games history, Checker was a Tigers man until he came to Melbourne and helped instill the ruthless Demons culture. Barassi said it best when he went to Carlton, "my heart is where I am right now" (paraphrasing)

What are you talking about? It's just giving us back the holiday Kennett took off us when he got rid of Show Day. It usually falls in the middle of the school holidays which is good for families too who often have to manage 4 weeks leave a year with 12 weeks of school holidays.

There's no public holiday for ANZAC Day next year as it falls on a Sunday