Dr. Gonzo

Not if TOLL have anything to say about it apparently. I think in theory FA is good but in practice the weaker clubs are going to get raped by it. Look at our situation. We are a poor club at the bottom of the ladder. Haven't looked like playing finals or challenging for a flag for 6 years. Players who qualify for FA status on our list want to look elsewhere for the opportunity to finish their career on a high instead of finishing it in a bottom placed team who will shunt them off to Casey as soon as a kid comes along that we want to "get games into" & "develop". So we lose guys like Rivers and to a lesser extent Moloney for nothing but a mid range pick (say 30's). We have free cap space now but due to our status as a poor underperforming club with the perception of little chance to play finals in the immediate future we then have trouble luring other FA across to our club to help us rise back up the ladder and/or replace those who left. At the end of the day we are left with a list which has had the veteran's picked out of it, has a group of mid-age players who have played in poor teams their whole careers and a bunch of kids who can't compete with the elite players/teams in the comp. This all adds up to teams like us and Port ending up like Fitzroy with players desperate to leave and the bigger more successful clubs circling like vultures to pick the bones of our list. We are then left with a mediocre list that is forced to pay 95% of the cap despite having no-one deserving a big "franchise" type contract. Look at our list next year and compare it to the clubs at the top and tell me how we should possibly pay the minimum cap requirement. This may seem like doom and gloom but it is genuinely where I see the league heading in the future.

Most of the reasons have already been covered here, but the main one I think is the deterioration in the quality of the game, it's admistration and umpiring/rules. I have never found it more frustrating to watch games as a neutral due to the ridiculous "interpretations" of the rules and lack of consistency. I still attend most MFC games that I can get to but attending games as a neutral just doesn't interest me any more whereas in years past I have attended many "games of the round" or Richmond matches with my Richmond supporting cousin. You can only ignore the fans for so long before it starts to bite you on the arse. When everyone is telling you that the game is being ruined by ridiculous umpiring decisions, ridiculous tribunal decisions and ridiculous off-field decisions it might be time to listen. Of course the AFL doesn't care as long as people turn up but if this starts to change (as these figures indicate for one year anyway) they may have to hopefully rethink their decision. Oh by the way, for those that hate the twilight timeslot, get used to it because next year there is every chance the GF will be a twilight game. Makes for a long wait for those queuing up outside the MCC from the night before.

That is some extremely specious reasoning not to mention completely flawed logic.

I don't think this is the case. WCE offered Lynch only one year, he has also struggled to cement a spot in their forward line. I think he is leaving for opportunity and length of contract, not $$$. I agree.

Thanks WJ. Again not having a go at you and appreciate your comments. I just find it hard to believe we haven't chased anyone. If not what was all that war chest talk about? I find it hard to believe we haven't at the very least had a crack at Lynch. And if they baulked at Tippett because of price they should realise we could afford to pay him close to an entire 4 year contract in year one so I wouldn't be too concerned about the 8% thing. Just seems like spin to me. Thanks for passing it on nonetheless.

Can't really disagree with that was my lowlight as well - although I would have said Melbourne rounds 1-9 & 11-23.

No offense to you as I appreciate your contribution and relaying info from these forums, but this sounds like absolute rubbish and the defense mechanism of a spurned lover. "Yeah but I never wanted them anyway" is the refrain of the loser after being laughed at when their advances are shot down. I believe we never offered 7 years for Cloke because that is just ridiculous rumour mill rubbish butto say we never seriously wanted Lynch or Knights or Wellingham or Tippett because they would cost too much is hilarious particularly in the case of Lynch and Knights. Edit: Thanks for the info anyhow always good for the common supporter to know what the club is spruiking. Can't say I'm too happy about the 75% figure either but I understand it, I hope they're not just buying time though until the next mob comes along and reveals they were actually rubbish! These guys do have the runs on the board though so I have a bit more confidence in them in that department.

You can see the confusion though, when you're quoting a comment about Jared Rivers in a thread about Jared Rivers?

How about we try and fix the fundamentals instead of relying on spin. Make it self evident that players will want to come here rather than having to try and convince them with a "powerful negotiator". Too many people here are stuck in the 1960's mentality of the quick fix. Put in the hard yards and the rest will follow, no-one's going to just give it to you. Geez people say Gen-Y has a sense of entitlement, they've got nothing on the baby boomers.

2011 was great as well but was over with 15 minutes to go. 2009 & 2012 went down to the wire. All great though, jealous of the supporters who get to have heart attacks over these games, it's bad enough as a neutral!

I would love it if Melbourne was blessed enough to have a problem like Buddy. Much better than having problems like Bate, Davey, Petterd etc

So what was the best GF of the modern era? 2007? Such great skill on display, albeit from only one side! Pfft. If you want skill go and watch a training session. If you want a great GF go and grab a copy of Saturday's game or the 2009 GF.

I think it will just come down to convincing him to come if we can convince him we will take him.

Exactly like Moloney - except he is a small forward not a midfielder, has good evasive skills and can kick goals. Other than that he's exactly the same.

Of course he could nothing is forever in sport.

Has he actually flagged that he wants to leave? Because all I can see so far is a fantasy post on a supporter website wanting a young key forward who is contracted elsewhere.

Fixed.

Is he contracted? Also word was he didn't want to come to us pre-draft (didn't like our tanking) so what has changed now? Surely there would be other clubs here that would be keen (like Carlton or Saints) who would be more attractive prospects.

What is the value of a B&F finish in a rubbish side? It doesn't mean anything. I would absolutely staggered if we were given a first round pick for these two, especially if it came after our first round selection. I just can't see it happening.

That's not so bad but 29 with dodgy knees is a worry. Would get him if he passed medicals but wouldn't pay too much, could help out for one or two years.

You'd have to be joking. Would you accept a 2nd rounder for Watts? Because he has shown more than Watts as a key forward to this stage of his career. While we're at it why don't we offer GWS pick 38 for Cameron. Isn't Butcher contracted though? Was drafted 2009 so I assume with a regular 2 year rookie contract he re-signed at the end of last year for more than one season??

I'm not against getting him, he is a good player - the knees are the obvious concern but if he can stay fit see no reason he couldn't land a spot in our forward line. Anyone know how old he is?

Is that assuming GWS take Grundy at #2? Because otherwise there's no reason they wouldn't take Whitfield & Toumpas.

Rivers and Moloney do not have "very high value" in any terms. Cloke would have a very high value. Goddard would have a very high value. Rivers and Moloney would have moderate value which is likely to be a pick in the late 20's/30's.

I can't figure out if this post is serious or not??? Pick 5 for Moloney & Rivers??? Hahahaha dreaming! Geezus, some of you really have no idea about the rest of the competition do you? If we were awarded pick 5 (or even pick 15) for our bunch of has beens the other clubs would mutiny.