Dr. Gonzo

what are you referring to here?

To be honest Smith could be a solid option. A Melbourne man and strong MCC ties. But there would have to be a very real case for change not just change for changes sake. On field performance is not a reason to topple a president/board unless they have made some terrible decisions that have led to that. Off field our performance is good and if they can get a home base in the MCG precinct they will have been the best performed board since our halcyon days.

Adelaide are a bit weird if you didn't know....

Same Clarko that saw value in Jack Fitzpatrick and Ty Vickery?

Frost is/was ****house I can't believe this is still being debated

That's a great doco. As a Jets fan I can't bear to watch it again tho ?

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.