Dr. Mubutu

Not sure if serious?It was brought in to be a token gesture to look like the AFL weren't engaging in restriction of trade, so the players' union didn't kick up a stink.

Whilst $400k sounds like a lot now, bear in mind that the average player salary is now only about $360k. This takes into account the first and second year players, as well as rookies, who are on well below $200k. Given the new TV rights deal, I think that $1.6m over four years will be a standard contract for a player on the cusp of the best 22 who is essentially depth at about the midpoint of the mooted contract period. Yes, this sounds like a lot to the standard supporter, but when the big picture is taken into account, it's really chump change compared to the sycophants at AFL House, who take on nowhere near the risk the players do.

He'll hand over the reins, but still be in the front seat. Think of it as $1.5m spent by the AFL to keep a healthy 18-team competition (as that's basically what it is). I realise that that's quite an indictment on the club, but it's the reality of where we were at.

As much as I've been on his case over the past two years, reevaluating his season this year, he's done his job. With little to no fanfare (barring the Geelong game). As of right now, I'm OK with keeping him on the list. Sure, ideally I'd prefer someone more skilled, but we need to deal with reality here. He's trying his hardest, and as long as everyone on the list does the same, we'll improve. To be blunt, he's better than these 4, and better than the equivalent pick we'd get by delisting him. Trade 'week' is a long time, and he's one of those expendable, but if our list doesn't undergo massive changes by October 31, I'll understand if he's still at Melbourne in 2016.

Looking at it when we're no longer playing in the season, one could argue that on-field performance was one of the last things that we brought Roos in for. (I'm sure I've heard Roos say, or at least intimate, that point himself. Maybe I imagined it.) Roos will still be the public face of the club. Without a doubt. He will probably still be leading the player management (as, IMO, this is where his true strengths lie). But the nitty-gritty, day-to-day, training and gameplan stuff that is traditionally the role of the senior coach is probably already in transition to Goodwin. It just means, while he's finding his feet as a senior coach, there aren't media-led witch hunts as to why 'Goodwin's team' aren't performing/meeting expectations/whatever. It also removes some of the pressure of being the public face of the MFC, which as we have seen, is half the job anyway. Take some of the heat off, while the team set about trying to meet his expectations. I have no doubt that it's all a front, and luckily, the media are all too happy to play along. If it works, Jackson looks like a genius. If it doesn't, well, at least we get a few more years before we completely implode.

Looks like they took my suggestion seriously....

Was going to make a post all in past tense, but even though the drums are beating, he's still on the list, so I'll hold off. I'm a big fan of Jordie, and love the way he goes about his footy. That'll do for now.

Really hoping the 'Beta Spuds' advertisement at 0:20 isn't indicative of his playing ability......

You know you're talking about olisik, right?

There's a better chance of Tasmania falling into the sea.

Surely I can't be the only one who thinks that quite a few of his off-field issues would be sorted by him no longer being on the Gold Coast?

You know he's an Essendon player, right? Pick 10 + 6 years of development in the Essendon calculator works out as our 1st and 2nd round picks + Angus Brayshaw.

I wouldn't. Always gave it his all, just wasn't quite good enough. No shame in that. Will be one of the few that I will be sad to see go this year.

I actually read a rather sensible opinion on Big Footy (of all places). Howe + pick 6 to GC for Bennell + end of 1st round. End of 1st round + 2nd round to GWS for their 1st round. Due to their Academy players, this is actually a good thing for them, as given the points system, pick 19 + pick 25 > pick 8. Essentially: Howe + 25? + 6? for Bennell +8?. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Which is why the AFL had better be paying the fee to Etihad directly out of their own funds (and not out of our equilisation funds, either). If the financials show that we've had to pay this, the MFC (and its members) should rightly seek a 'please explain'.

My thoughts exactly. Having said that, I'd still prefer to have Hogan, and I'm glad he's playing for the MFC.

I live in regional Queensland. It would cost >$500 to attend a game. Forgive me if I don't attend a round 23 slopfest.

Trust a Jack Watts thread to take this turn. Classic Demonland.

Exactly this. If it's not Melbourne, I don't care.

Would be remiss if they weren't.

Gotta pay somebody. May as well be a young bloke as any of the others on the list.

Perhaps he prefers this version of the Sisyphus story......

My preference would be to give him a farewell game - give Gawn a chance to rest up for a full pre-season whilst giving the supporters a final farewell to acknowledge all the Russian has fought through, before he becomes our ruck coach. I can, however, see the alternate view, and wouldn't fight too strongly for this to come true.

Where do we sign?

Glad you agree, ET.