The Chazz

I find it hilarious that we are trying to play the "Come back home" card. Do people actually know Clarkson's playing career record? Yeah sure, he played for Melbourne, 41 games over 2 seasons in fact, but he was at the Kangaroos for about 9 seasons and played just under 100 games. I would think he considers himself as an ex-North player more than an ex-Demon. As Demon17 said, this would be a professional decision, not an emotional one. Would be a massive get by the Club to lure him away from their list. I know if I were coaching Hawthorn it would want to be a frigging good offer to pull me away, especially to join Melbourne (even if they gave me a couple of cheap seasons at the end of my playing career).

Ahh, so that's why noone has picked him up before now, it's because he is only turning 23 at the end of this season. Now it makes sense why he has been running around down at Casey for all this time. Perhaps we should make it a condition of the draft that only aged 23 or over can nominate, that should win us a flag. Until we have a team that has a few A-graders running around, I don't think there is any point adding ANOTHER player to that "We dont need many of these guys to be 'stars'...just good honest, able, hard at it players who can bolster the brunt" list. We have more than enough that play that role, that's why we're miles away from being a top side.

Ouch! I think even you B59 need to admit you f**ked this one up!

B59, do you agree on my thoughts regarding the mirage of the mature-aged recruits looking a lot better than they may be due to the fact they are part of quality teams? Barlow would probably be the only exception, however, he still has Sandilands shoving it down his throat, and Pavlich (superstar) in that team. And, let's face it, if it weren't for injuries this year, Freo would be a Top 6 side. I'm a sceptic when people talk about the mature-age track. I look at someone like Matthew Bate. If he wasn't a Melbourne-listed player, and was running around at Casey as an "unknown", he would attract a lot of interest, as he is generally a class above the VFL.

Your point E25 probably backs up my point. Mature-age rookies that are new to the system still need quality players around them. Something we haven't had.

I'm quite sure that Malthouse would know every teams list to a fair extent. Isn't that part of being a senior coach - knowing your opponents?

The "mature" rookies that have had some impact over the past couple of years have all had quality, established players to play along side of. We need to get our kids to the "great player" status, then the mature-age rooke will be a good option. We are a minimum of 2 years from that.

The above, as well as the fact that if he stays, I can be comfortbale next year cheering him on, or asking for his autograph or photograph knowing not once did I call him a liar (or said that he has gone = same thing as calling him a liar). And, if he does go, I couldn't give a toss how many on here give us the old "told you so", it will just give me greater delight to have no respect for him and give me an opportunity to boo him evey time I see him!

I would imagine that we already have been given some indication (for the good), and that we are keeping a lid on it at the request of MM and his management. Imagine if Lyon came out and said "Mick and/or his management have told us he is keen to coach the MFC next season". I'm 98% sure Mick has already signed with us, back when we had a window when Mick's new Collingwood contract hadn't confirmed his actual role.

Thanks Pink. Far out, he's got a good frame. He's going to be ruthless in that league this time next year. Pity the fools that are bottom-aged players.

I keep saying it, but when the AFL has specific educational programs to promote the correct way to treat women, and a player clearly does the opposite to what they are being told to do, then what is the issue? The league's name is mud when there are cases like Milne & Montagna, Andrew Lovett, even the St Kilda School Girl incidents, so as a result, they have programs in place to try and ensure it doesn't tarnish the brand. It also has nothing to do with political correctness, over-policing of the AFL, people being too precious, Victoria being a nanna state, sledging to put your opponent off, IT IS ABOUT RESPECT. To say it once is moronic, disrespectful and totally inappropriate in any situation or scenario, but the fact that this bloke said it twice, TWICE!!! And Guy Rigoni - you're sure every team would have players that say that stuff every week? Are you really sure that would be the case? Really? Let's be serious now. Go and have a chat with Mark Jamar, tell him you think it's acceptable to say that on a footy field and see if he agrees.

How are the comments made by supporters to Milne far different? Some would argue that they say things in the heat of the moment too. There is a line what you should and shouldn't say, and sadly, you don't know where it is. I've played and been associated in football for decades, and a comment like that is totally inappropriate. But, as you rightly point out, the comments were juvenile, which probably explains why you accept them.

Gee Kento, we agree a lot! Will have to catch up for a beer one day! Malthouse is the obvious number 1 target. But if we can't get him, Eade would have to be in a very small group that would be 2nd preference.

Would love to know what these posters think of the situation now; Dalrot DemonDing The Jacks B59 The Buzz Golly Captain Jack Steamin Demon Twist Fork 'em

I honestly don't know. There are sides of him that make me say NO, such as finals record. BUt hten, his team had made the Top4 4 for the past 3 or 4 seasons or something, and I don't think they were a great list of players. He isn't scared of going after an older player (could work both ways). The other thing is that I look at a bloke like Blight, who while at Geelong, he had a good team but couldn't get a premiership with them, but then went to Adelaide and won back-to-back flags. Perhaps Eade could be similar, I'm just not sure.

So, if one day you had kids (god help us), and your son came in and said "he'd like to rape a female", you'd give him a pat on the back and compliment him for saying it? I know if any of my family or friends heard me say that, they would be sickened, and I can assure you, we aren't prudes!

I think my brief comment regarding your post was a very accurate dissection of the idiotic words you displayed. You, like McGinnity, obviously have complete disrespect for women. He can atleast use the "heat of the battle" arguement, what's your excuse? To say that you are going to rape a female, regardless of the reasoning for it (ie. to have you opponent lose concentration, or if you consider it as a "joke"), is a very serious accusation to make. Sure, none of us on here would beleive he would do such a thing, but it's not the point. If I walked past a guy and he commented on how much he'd like to sleep with my wife, I'd probably laugh and take it as a compliment. If he said that he'd like to rape her, I'd give him a severe hiding.

Oh dear...

A challenge for someone that has more time on their hands than I do; How many players that are out of their first contract have actually left their first Club? I would think bugger all, unless they have been offered massive dollars (ie Nathan Buckley from memory, and maybe even Jeff White).

A few on this thread went the early crow about it being a soft issue didn't they? Come forth and comment on the REAL issue now keyboard heroes/experts! I'm happy to name and shame if you'd prefer. Geez, could this be a trend over the next few weeks? There could be another thread or two (thousand) where people have made early calls with no evidence to support their case. Might start baking a couple of humble pies just in case there is a rainy day ahead. WYL - I still understand your thoughts about the fat controller, but the amount of money that the AFL has spent on educational programs regarding the fair treatement of women in society, I'm sorry mate, but he had no choice but make some statement like this. There's a line when you talk about a blokes Mum; we all laugh at the Stiffler's Mum comments, but I would imagine none of us have been guilty of saying something like what PMc said. PMc is a dog, and I would like to think that next time he plays us, he will learn some valuable lessons.

In a lot of regards, you are 100% right WYL. But, we don't know the full story. Put it this way, what would you do if it were a player saying something about Aussie's Dad? Or to one of our other player's about Jimmy's personal situation/battles? Unless we know the facts, we got nuffin!

I think you're missing the point B59. Show me the contract that says Scully isn't going to stay. You have no idea if Scully isn't happy to stay at the MFC. At what point has Scully openly stated that he isn't happy at Melbourne and as a result has signed with GWS. Oh I can hear it now, the typical "why hasn't he signed already then" lines, well, why hadn't Watts signed already if he was sooooooooo "happy enough" to stay at the Club and always was?

To be honest, at first thought I thought it was a joke, but unless we know the real circumstances, the jury's out for mine. For example, I have no idea what Petterd's Mum is like (ie. Is she healthy? Still alive? etc). It may be nothing but an old fashioned "I've got photos" type of situation, which shouldn't be taken any further, but if there is a bit more to it, then I can appreciate where RP was coming from. Happened in local footy years ago where I grew up - a guys was playing seniors, and an opponent commented about how wonderful it was that his parents were murdered at Port Arthur. That's what I mean about not knowing what was said and not knowing all the circumstances. Also depends on what the players have had drilled in to them during their education events organised by the AFL/AFLPA.

But you, me and everyone else on here have no idea what either player is being offered by the MFC. The contract for both players may have performance-based bonuses that, if achieved, could well see either be the highest player at the Club. But I'm sorry DBJ, it's all a complete guess. Sure, read what the papers write, but all I ask is that you have a bit more faith in mine and your Club and it's people, rather than what a newspaper prints. It's like this fundraiser we had the other week, and how people assume it was a "save Scully" attempt. Who knows what it was for. Perhaps it was to give Malthouse a juicy contract. But I highly doubt that the $800k raised is all going in Scull's contract. But again, WHO KNOW'S???!!!

Lol, in theory (and based on potential plus what we have seen in some young players), it is a bloody hard thing to do. So now that Sylvia has been shifted to the wing, are you assuming Scully isn't going to stay? BTW - I love the idea of Tappy on a HFF, really gets me going that sort of thing!