binman

That's a very long bow. I might argue that there is evidence of trust at all levels, for example mutiple players recommitimg to the club in the last 2 months, two of whom, kolt and Windsor, who did not need to do so for another two years. And I might posit that for all the bluster from tracc, and the whispers about koz (who if crunch came to crunch, we probably agree to a trade if he really needed it done) both are staying. And in regard to leaks, it is supposition not fact the club leaked. I'd say it's more likely in the koz example that it was his player manager who leaked to the media. I mean the alleged info about him being homesick was supposedly discussed in his exit interview. Goody and the player. And perhaps someone else from the fd. Who else is privy to that info - his manager, who may have been with him, and if not would have briefed him before and debriefed after the interview. And who i might add benefits from a potential move financially.

Why?

Agree. That's gold. Love that rather than leaving it there, Barrett goes on to explain their involvement in the Petracca saga - that's to say they apparently basically had no involvement. If true, that's a pretty good gig - one of the highest paid players in the AFL tries to wiggle out of his contract and his managers had no involvement other than putting out some feelers mid season (ie read dinners at the Flower drum with club officials and other player managers).

Fair dinkum there's some nonsense written. An afl.com puff piece that reads more like a 'we've got yiur back' infomercial for his player management team. Like the media and champion data, player managers are part of the closed shop afl monopoly - can't allow members of the AFL boys club to get criticised. The one example given of why conners et al couldn't possibly have been involved is from 17 years ago for petes sake. For what it's worth I think this has been driven by tracc. But that doesn't absolve conners of all responsibility - a big part of a player managers job is protecting their clients from their own stupidity. They clearlyv failed tracc on that front.

I was thinking a character in the Dukes of Hazard.

Luxury, sheer luxury.

Spot on. After the finals, trade period, draft, xmas break and a full preseason, by round one next year the players will barely remember all this silliness. Ditto fans. The young blokes will have forgotten about it already.

I posted this in the koz thread, but it fits better here (Note: I don't think the media has it in for us per se. The media is interested in drama. All footy clubs are rife with drama. But some clubs are better than others at keeping it in house - in large part because of really good comms management. We're not one them BUT I do think the smaller clubs, of which unfortunately the dees are one, do cop it more than the big clubs. Does a media ghoul really want to get on the wrong side of say the pies, if the result is reduced access to their players and chuckles mcrae? Wheras they could care less about angering the dees, dogs or the roos. And I'd also note there is a correlation between these two factors - even with the soft cap, bigger clubs can afford to spend more on comms. I recall Peter Jackson saying he would prioritise using resources for the footy department ahead of things like comms because winning games was the priority) Media: Demons in CRISIS!!!!!! Players left right and centre want our of the club!!!!! Peteacca, ANB (quick release that info) and Kozzie all want out !!!!!!! Reality: Petracca stays. Koz stays. Nibbla goes, but is at pains to say how much he loves his teamates and the MFC. And mutiple players (including several future stars who didnt need to extend now, a respected senior player and our skipper) recommit in the last two to three months. Reality: Three of the Tigers five best players want out - Bolton, Baker and Rioli. And all three will almost certainly leave. Even in the context of tbe rigers being in rebuild mode, that’s huge -particularly given all three are at the peak of their powers (unlike say tracc, who is pushing 30 and returning after a very serious injury). Imagine if at the start of goody's tenure tracc, oliver and Max all left the club And losing two senior Aboriginal players can't help in terms of support for young Aboriginal recruits, or trading in Aboriginal players for that matter. Media:

Media: Demons in CRISIS!!!!!! Players left right and centre want our of the club!!!!! Peteacca, ANB (quick release that info) and Kozzie all want out !!!!!!! Reality: Petracca stays. Koz stays. Nibbla goes, but is at pains to say how much he loves his teamates and the MFC. And mutiple players (including several future stars who didnt need to extend now, a respected senior player and our skipper) recommit in the last two to three months. Reality: Three of the Tigers five best players want out - Bolton, Baker and Rioli. And all three will almost certainly leave. Even in the context of tbe rigers being in rebuild mode, that’s huge -particularly given all three are young. Imagine if at the start of goody's tenure tracc, oliver and Max all left the club And losing two senior Aboriginal players can't help in terms of support for young Aboriginal recruits, or trading in Aboriginal players for that matter. Media:

Yep, so thrilled. Pro scouts? Is it a Netflix series?

And he's got the habit, like the bont and many left footers (i think because opponents instinctivly cover the right side), of wheeling onto his left foot and kicking off no steps. I love that - gets the ball moving quickly and the ball is kicked under less pressure.

At first I thought that was a lowlights package But then I realised it must be all Langdord's involvements in that particular vfl game. It's actually good to see a more balanced video package. Also good that its at vfl level sometimes the guns dominate at junior level.

In America I reckon moving for college is a big factor in people's preparedness to move cities and states. That and historically labor has followed industry - for example black families leaving the south for work in Chicago, LA and Detroit. And housing costs have historically been stable and affordable, which reduces barriers to moving. That's changing, with America now experiencing a housing crisis of the sort ours kicked of 25 years ago. Interestingly, i read an article the other day that said Americans are now moving less than at any time in history.

And how will the pies respond to failing to make finals this year? More fire breathing? What happens to the lions this year if they once again fail to win a flag? What about powerhouse clubs like the crows and the Eagles? Resources coming our their wazoo and they have been mired in the bottom half of the ladder for years - incredible since the crows played in a GF in 2017 and the Eagles won one in 2018. We won a flag the year after we last missed finals - something that can't have happened too often in VFL/AFL history. Surely to Goodwin we get some credit for doing so in terms of clear evidence of our ability to bounce back after a poor season. Or do we just ignore history and parrot and ampifly the media's doom cycle, club in crisis narrative?

The flag and a norm smith to tracc double is a massive long shot. Our odds on winning a flag will probably be something like 20-1. Tracc winning the norm smith propaganda 25-1 or more (hence the 500-1). It's tough to win a flag, a lot has to go right - just ask the pies who failed to make finals the year after winning one. 500-1 is not a million miles from what you'd get for a pies flag nick daicos norm smith double. But what I actually meant was it is even money the following would happen (not that you could bet on it): Dees have a cracking preseason. The Max, Jack, tracc and clarry band gets back together. The young Turks (JVR, mcvee, Windsor, Kolt, disco and pick 5) make their own music. I see no reason why the above won't happen. But to be honest you are reading way too much into what was a light-hearted post not a serious prediction. A serious prediction - we will make finals next year.

And an 11am start next week. No doubt it's something to do with not clashing with the afl finals, but at an 11am start? Poor.

Yes I agree, which is why i said it could all be boiled down to: 'Star player unhappy with how injury managed and concerned premiership wondow is shut wants to get to a more successful Victorian club.' But what i should have said was Star player unhappy with how injury managed and concerned premiership wondow is shut wants to get to a more successful Victorian club, but can't because there's no suitors

'Previous culture issues.' An important part of the story one would have thought.

I'm a punter. I look for value. What's a redlegs membership go for? Let's say $250. And for the sake of argument, let's say the GF ticket is also $250. So, I'm risking $250 to win $250 - an even money bet. When a market goes up post GF for next year's GF I could probably get 500-1, perhaps more, for a dees' flag into tracc winning the Norm Smith Multi. If i staked $250 and the dees tracc double got up, at 500-1 my return would be $125k. If i took your offer, and won, my profit would be $500 - a fair bit less than $125k. Not a great value bet then. Well and truly unders. So, thanks for the offer, but I'll pass on the bet (though I might take the 500s with a bookie). But im looking forward to the redemption part of the narrative arc regardless.

Well, you clearly don't believe in the footy gods. Or Lady luck. I've had a word with both and they agree we're due some luck.

There's few players who are Gulden good. If not elite, the key is any player we draft in has to be at least reliable by foot. And trade in for that matter.

Define me being right.

I did indeed. Is there something wrong with being optimistic? As a betting man, I'd give us better than even money of the things I noted occurring (well, not the flag, neom smith double - the rest) And why not? The club is not in crisis, whatever the media would like people to believe. Mutiple key players have resigned, including our four best young guns (jvr, winsdsor, mcvee and kolt) our best player is suiting up next year and we don't have players like melk with long term injuries. West Coast Eagles- the wealthiest club in the AFL with a 20k wait list to be a member - is in crisis. They just sacked their coach and can't find another one. Have been down the bottom for 6 years and a flag looks minimum 5 years away. It will come down to luck as much as anything. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong this year. We're due some good luck and if it comes in the next 12 months we'll be back playing finals this time next year.

All good points. But personally I could care less what he says in a media statement- now or in the future. I didn't, and don't, expect him to come out and pledge undying loyalty to the dees or talk about how much he loves the club and fans. And I'm not particularly annoyed with him either - merde happens. Im just glad hes staying. Rehab, train hard over the preseason and play great footy. That will do me just fine.

Which of those is the best kick Gator?