bing181

This idea that there is a pool of "talent" out there just waiting to change clubs is a myth. The vast majority of players who change clubs are delisted players or fringe/OOC/free agents. Sometimes those players prove their worth at their new clubs, but it's the exception rather than the rule. Even there, it often boils down to the list and the roles available. The issue we're going to have is that in spite of all the doom and gloom, we have most positions covered and no-one is going to change clubs just to get in the queue. Perhaps mids, with Petracca moving forward/fitness unknown, also as a replacement for Brayshaw. But ... suspect that our priority will be a) getting the players we do have fit and b) the draft.

It may have been a mistake in terms of on field performance, but it wan't a mistake in terms of managing and supporting Oliver. With ADHD, he needs the routine and responsibilities of week-to-week games and of being part of the playing group. All of his issues surfaced when he was stuck alone in rehab for 8 weeks last year. At his best, Oliver is one of the very best players in the AFL and in working to keep him in the fold and healthy the club made the right decision.

"Petracca’s concerns included his belief that Melbourne people did not check in with him enough in the aftermath of his King’s Birthday injury, the pending departure of teammate Alex Neal-Bullen, and previous culture issues at the club including Clayton Oliver’s troubles and the doping charges faced by teammate who shall not be named here over a positive cocaine test." https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-remain-committed-petracca-says-he-is-staying-at-melbourne-20240831-p5k6ua.html

Actually, luck doesn't work like that. We could just as easily have more bad luck next year as each year's luck is independent. Sorry. Against that, having a full off-season with no finals so players can have a proper break and recharge will definitely help our "luck".

Ditto JVR.

You're just proving my point. Dangerfield was 26 when he switched to Geelong - same age as when Franklin went to the Swans. And Sidebottom has never changed clubs, not that Pies were ever built around him anyway. All of the really big trades of marquee, AA players were players who were still in their prime and with years of good footy ahead of them. A club like WC, North or GC who need experience might give a 30 year old a nice retirement package, but none of the big clubs would.

Too immature. Captaincy has Lever's name on it, then the next generation.

Agree. But Pies first-rounder could be not much better than 18 - 20, and even with two years of future firsts hard to see how that gets done. But the other variables are: - Trac getting back to his very best after the injury from hell. Not so sure. - He'll be going on 30 at the end of next season. Not the kind of age where you can build a team around him for 5 years. When Judd moved to Carlton he'd just turned 25. - That contract. Long and expensive for someone getting into the later stage of his career.

Trac could have had all the "robust discussion" etc etc he wanted, but still kept it in house. I'm sure plenty of the players have opinions on what we should be doing better/differently, but only one of them turned it into a media circus. The one tiny mitigating factor here is that he's still in trauma following his horrific injury and is probably not in a great place mentally (which he has admitted). Still ...

Don't think he's going to be in any state to be doing that. If he can run laps by Christmas we'll be doing well ... though I know nothing of his fitness.

Frankly, would prefer he was gone. Prima Donna. Going to need some strong leadership from Max, Viney and Jake, but I wonder how much damage he's done to himself internally and with the playing group.

She studied law, don't believe she's ever practised as a lawyer.

Conspicuously absent from that is Jed Adams. The invisible man.

From around 2:25 here: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1591000/a-sit-down-with-christian-petracca

Paranoia can be a response to trauma.

Surely Tomlinson if not Hunter get moved on?

Care factor close to zero, but given that I still have a soft spot for Hogan and Bedford, would have to be the Giants.

Take whoever has the most footy smarts and best disposal.

And ... gives us an easier fixture next year. 2 x North, 2 x Richmond, 2 x West Coast, here we come.

Wouldn't disagree, but the upside is that they're nearly all still young. We had a lot of players out there who are only just getting into double figures, and then even the slightly more experienced younger brigade playing in unfamiliar positions.

So many positive attacks breaking down across half forward through turnovers. Tholstrup the worse offender, OK he's a kid, but plenty of others not much better, Billings for one. No idea how to fix it or where the improvement is going to come from, at least in the short term. Windsor back would help, but otherwise?

Adam Tomlinson, thanks for your services and we wish you well.

Experience vs a bunch of kids.

Yes, just when our forward line starts showing a bit of coherence and effectiveness let's pull it apart and bring in the kid who some weeks can hardly get a kick in the VFL.

Not sure what options they had to cover a mid?