Daytona Demon

I would say though, its probably not so much McDonald's 'class' in putting his hand up to step aside that's the difference. As he clearly didn't want to retire. He just didn't have a choice. It was either announce his retirement off his own bat or be delisted. I'm not sure that anyone's been on Johnson's back telling him his time's up. I assume Eade would've told him so when the season was done and dusted.

So that would mean Carlton would have pick 37 as their second round pick?? I couldn't imagine Carlton would give up their 1st rounder, but would we be happy to take pick 37 for Warnock? I'd like us to get a pick in the 25-29 region. After all, he's had two top 10 finishes in the last 3 b & f's, which has to count for something...

He was best on ground in the 1st week of TAC cup finals and has played well since the championships. I like the look of him.

Well it shouldn't be simply a matter of him deciding whether or not he wants to play for Melbourne or Adelaide. He's the son of an MFC legend fcs!! And a great talent to boot... We'll look like right mugs if he chooses Adelaide over us, and as far as im concerned, there's no reason why he should want to play for Adelaide over MFC.. I don't blame Adelaide for pursuing him as they're within their right, but we should really be presenting to Viney in a manner which makes the decision of playing for the MFC a mere formality... I'm confident with the great people we've got at the club, that this will happen in due course.

The main problem I think is, that quality key forwards are so hard to find that clubs are generally unwilling to part with them. Even if they've had an ordinary season.. I think we're better off using the draft to hopefully bring one in and develop them ourselves.

I think the OP makes a valid point. Johnson's been a great player for them over the stretch, but has been a liability often this year. He's really dropped off in a major way, as tends to happen with players around that age. Surely he would've known that he wasn't going to play on next year for some time. Why has he left it to the absolute last minute to announce that he's retiring? The timing certainly makes it extremely awkward for the match committee to even consider dropping such an illustrious figure of the club, when he probably deserves to be...

When I heard that Harry O'Brien wanted a meeting with Barack Obama, that's when I knew he was a complete and utter [censored]. Going around sniping at people behind play with dumbass sledges that aren't funny, isn't the most courageous act one could do either... O'Brien is a prat and he fits in well at the Scum...

He's 28 in February. He's got a history of injury and suspension problems... so I'd say no. He always seems to have a good day against us, but I don't think he's the type of player we need either.. I think we should just keep bringing in kids until we're close to flag contention, and then we can maybe have a crack at a couple of experienced players who fit our needs...

Clark was fantastic last season and would be an ideal player to switch hit in the ruck if he plays to his ability. But..... With Brennan and Rischitelli already wanting out (and possibly Drummond), I wouldn't imagine they'll be actively seeking to trade players. Especially after copping so much flak last year. I reckon they'll be fairly conservative this time... Plus we don't have any really tradeable players of the sort of currency the Lions'd be interested in for Clark...and I think we could also put pick 12 to better use too...

I'd be happy if we picked him up based on the bits I've seen and read. He's kicked a few bags of goals when moved forward in TAC cup, so he's got some nice versatility too.. We don't really need another KPD, I think a Smedts type would compliment Frawley & Garland well. Delivery out of defence has to improve and this kid looks to be pretty capable in that respect.

Strength & Conditioning coach i think. Probably not related though...

I actually deleted that post because I decided I cant be bothered talking to you..

I agree. I think we can address our need for a creative defender through the draft... Drummond is just too injury prone and too expensive imo.

Appearances can be deceptive. Its not just the trading and drafting strategy which has been mostly disastrous, but also his non-inclusive way of dealing with his coaching staff. From the things i've heard, he's too much of a dictator and doesnt give enough responsibility to his assistants - which could explain the revolving door of assistant coaches that have come and gone since he took over.. I think Jonathon Brown was probably the main reason they were 4-0. As soon as he fell away, so did the rest of the team.

Very true RE: GABBA surface... probably contributes a lot to their injuries (same with Subi). I'd be happy to have either of those players. The only worry is regarding what we'd have to give up to get either of them in terms of money and picks/players.. You'd obviously take Drummond for a 4th round pick in a heartbeat. We'd have to give up more meaningful picks though, and in Drummond's case, he wants 450k a season apparently, which is a lot for a bloke who's so injury prone..

I think one of McCarthy, Heppell, or Smedts will be available to us at pick 12. Any of those kids would be a brilliant addition imo.. They're the sort of rebounding defenders any team would want...Defensively competent, and dangerous when in possession. We absolutely need one of these type of players as we dont have one currently. I wouldn't be chasing Malceski or Drummond. We'd have to give up something unreasonable for them (including stupid amounts of cash), and they've both had the LARS surgery. So I mean their legs could fall off at any time...hardly a wise move.

You do have to admit the obvious intersection of Jones' current contract situation with Orwell's vision of a dystopian society though...

Yeah that's true, having a full preseason can make the difference.. Which is why i'd like to see Strauss have an injury free preparation. He's being written off by a few, but I reckon he's got massive potential if he can get his body right. He's had a nightmare as far as injuries go in his 1st 2 seasons, and hasn't really been able to get any continuity into his football. Needs to develop a defensive side to his game, but its tough when you cop an injury every other week...

You're absolutely right, Stokes should've been sentenced to death by firing squad...

Well, that's exactly why he was charged with 'trafficking'. He panicked. He would've been better off keeping his mouth shut until he got legal advice...Who knows?? I'm sure AFL players would meet all kinds of people with all the socializing they do. Its a moot point really. Its done and dusted, and tbh there's far more pressing issues elsewhere to be concerned about..He's already had to experience the ignominy of being publicly shamed. So let's move on...

If Meesen gets delisted, i'm never watching another game of football. EVER.

2nd, 3rd, and 4th efforts are often lacking. I lost count the amount of times this season that Bate gave up, or was just too slow to have an impact once the ball hit the deck. The fact he doesn't take the big, contested grabs means his leads up the ground often go to waste. Forwardline pressure has been a big emphasis of Bailey's gameplan, and I don't think Bate provided us much this season in that regard. He spends a fair amount of time in motion, but it doesnt necessarily lead to anything.. Having said that, I think he's capable of doing all those things (bar the contested marking perhaps), he just really needs a big preseason if he's going to play a part...

Pavlich will either go to Gold Coast, IF they offer him a ridiculous contract (and that's a big IF), otherwise he will stay at Freo. He would not be interested in a move to MFC and its pointless even pursuing him.. And why would you want to trade a kid in Gysberts who's a potentially elite AFL midfielder with 10-12 seasons in him??? Makes little sense..

haha!! yeah, i was thinking along similar lines. We really like to put people up on pedestals then give them a good whipping across the back as they fall off of them.. In the real world, terms like 'procedures' don't count for much either...

Stokes wasn't 'trafficking' drugs mate. He bought a very small amount of cocaine for a friend coming down from the NT. The charge was a joke, and even the courts understood that. He's a good guy... Nonetheless, its been good seeing our guys are keeping out of trouble in recent times B) I also don't see the Travis Tuck thing as a 'discipline' issue. The guy had been receiving treatment for depression prior to this incident. You have to understand the cuthroat, high-stakes nature of being an AFL player and the effect this has on a lot of players. Travis has been suffering from depression, and then he's virtually told his career as a footballer is over at the age of what, 21,22?? A little more sympathy wouldnt go astray..