P-man

Surely someone will pick him up. If Gysberts can get another chance.. Although maybe that experiment is what is scaring them away.

The last line was a bit much. The Prince who has the last laugh and is gifted? Settle down H. If he plays decent footy for us, he can say whatever the hell he likes.

Agreed. Shameful behaviour. Thanks for your post DaleDee. An interesting perspective.

And this isn't? If you think the demise of the club is a fait accompli then logically you should be giving the game away. It will only hurt more the longer you stay.. Having board members with business and community influence is all well and good but how long has it been since we've had a truly competent coach and CEO working towards the same end? A long damn time is the answer. This is every bit as important a piece of the puzzle, and I would argue moreso. Onfield success is what will lift the club out of the mire. That is the club's core business. From that, everything else follow, including attracting supporters and members. We are "Melbourne" ffs. That is a large pool of youngsters to attract to our club. We just have to stop playing rubbish football and create a strong, stable environment for the players. Roos' real test is coming in his second year, but no-one can honestly say that Jackson has put a foot wrong since he's arrived. My confidence in their abilities is what is keeping my faith, because I know how important their roles are in transforming a football club.

A great suggestion. RIP. A true legend.

Was happy to hear he wouldn't give up Picks 2 & 3 for a big fish. Interesting he mentioned Toump as one of the young talents on the list. A show of faith perhaps.

It has a heinous stench. I'm feeling dizzy from it. Might get the doc to give me a week off.

Yeah super, but it doesn't alter this bloke's shoddiness. His condition may be legitimate, to what extent we'll never know, but this medical advice to change clubs screams absolute bollocks to me. A wink and a nod in the doctor's office would be all it would've took to get that paperwork signed. Football club environments are all very similar. We get told this constantly from those in the profession. A doctor has advised that his mental health is at risk by staying at our club, and we're meant to just accept that? Why exactly? This guy drained our resources, stringing along anyone who would listen with professions of being Melbourne through and through. Anyone who isn't outraged is looking at this situation very differently to me.

J, it might be time for another edit to your Favourite Players.

Roughead and Griffen Ball and Judd etc I take your point but I firstly would not assume that the picks would be used on kids, and secondly would not doom to failure any kid who walks in the door. The club is addressing the senior void and is in the process of creating an environment where the procession of failed development ends. Picks 2 & 3 for one player is a massive amount to give up. It well surpasses what Carlton gave up for Judd. Those sort of credits don't roll around very often and if the club begins its rise up the ladder next season, they are crucial in helping to establish a successful team. I'd be a lot warier than you seem to be. Putting all your chips on one player, no matter who it is, is a gamble.

I am confident we're getting Pick 3.

You don't think the degree of likelihood of him reaching peak fitness is relevant to his trade value? If the medical advice is foot is great, mental health is progressing well, physically ready to hit the pre-season, it is definitely relevant to the discussion, just as much as his injury history.

It simply has to improve our bargaining power I would've thought. Yes he is damaged goods with extensive breaks due to injury, but if you are publicly confident in the medical reports that suggest he can achieve career best form then the risk is minimised and the trade should be evaluated in accordance with that advice. Every trade is risky to an extent. Tbh this whole episode has been as tough a pill to swallow as any I can think of. It would nice to get something positive out the other end.

Jesus..it really is starting to mirror the EPL. Extremely harsh decision looking from the outside.

This x100. I'll be rapt if we get big Sauce in the red and blue. As for Butcher, his name could not be more apt, but if it's for someone like Blease then you might as well.

I agree it's not a great look to be berating supporters and he probably should've steered clear altogether. But the fact he felt compelled to do so is interesting, I think. It may have just been a case of him taking umbrage with comments downplaying depression. Or maybe he really wanted to defend Clark and his situation. Hard to say. What does appear clear is that Dunny sees this as black and white, or at least that's what he is portraying. Most of us are seeing a lot of grey and trying to make sense of it without Clark looking like a snake, and coming up short.

That is a strange analogy re Gibson on Buddy. I doubt Dunn will be giving Clark a cuddle if they are matched up on the field. I'm absolutely filthy at Clark and Dunn's words don't change that. His perspective however, on face value, suggests that Clark's issues are legit. And like it or not, he would be better informed than anyone here. His view shouldn't be dismissed.

I have no issue with what Garlo had to say about Frawley and I'm surprised that anyone would. What's he meant to say exactly? "I spit on him and his grave!!". They're close mates and that friendship extends beyond football. Get real. If Chip doesn't want to be here, so be it. Garlo has utmost confidence with where the club is going. Most of us do too. That's what matters.

From the FB news item: Lynden Jerkle Dunn: Some of the comments on here are sickening! It is disappointing that Mitch will be pursuing his AFL career at another club and yes I too am a little disgruntled at the decision. In saying that, I wouldn't wish what happened to Mitch and happens to so many others day in and day out upon anybody. I'm so glad he is well enough to try and pursue his dream of playing footy at the elite level and I will always think of him as a mate. Some comments especially from some demon faithful are distasteful and cowardly but I suppose so long as the few "Keyboard Warriors" have there say and hide behind there screens then life will go on. All the best brother! Like · Reply · 26 · 3 hrs

A lot more level headed comments in here re Varcoe than in the Mitch Clark thread where the consensus seemed to be "PREMIERSHIP PLAYER OMG!" I'm not overly excited by Varcoe, but I also don't think we're going to get much better for Clark. I hope we do. If Geelong are 100% happy with his physical and mental outlook then we need to ride that home. This one will make them earn their pay cheques.

Has mellowed big time over there. Still loves a good Watts rant though.

Then to be honest, you were hoping for too much.

That all sounds nice but no-one seems to want to consider the injuries the Cats sustained throughout the year. Yes he played 23 games which is great but with a fully fit list he'd almost certainly be squeezed out. I'm all for Varcoe and Lumumba for the right price as they would be upgrades on what we have, but some of the comments are painting them as team changing stars, which they are far from being. Let's keep it in perspective. They are improvements on what we have. New and shiny doesn't have to mean falling over yourself with giddiness.

I agree with the sentiment, but early on it was looking like the deal of the decade. Anyone who could have predicted how things would pan out needs to tell me their tattslotto numbers post haste. Here we have a player whose been medically advised (supposedly) to change clubs. As in staying at the club is going to be detrimental to his health. Surely that is a first for the AFL, and possibly alot wider.

Through injuries to the likes of Christensen, Menzel, McCarthy, Kirsten, Simpson and Smedts. He played a total of 15 games in the two seasons previous. 15 disposals a game isn't getting me out of my chair, and I wouldn't describe him as a "pretty good ball user", but I agree he would be an upgrade on a couple of the names you mention. As I said, it's just about as good as we're going to get for Clark.