Pates

He's definitely a journeyman depth/role player. Happy with keeping him on the list, he's shown he can come in and play solid footy, will probably be even better for having the 2nd tier competition running next year.

Hypothetically if we can get TMac into being a solid 2nd tall to May being our number 1 tall defender we could play Lever is a true interception CHB position. He's getting there but definitely not reaching his dizzying Adelaide heights, no doubt the knee injury has put his development behind. Fingers crossed it can all come good next year.

One year is better than nothing, his manager might be banking on him hitting his straps during his third year to get a big fat long term contract.

I don't like the zone locking of a player from each team into a goal square for stoppages (I know it's 2nd tier but it's usually an earmark for where they're going). 3 in each 50m arc isn't the worst idea though. This "reduced lateral movement for player on mark" I'm not sure about, and the umpires should be instructed to be more vigilant about players moving off the mark from a free kick/mark. At this stage the AFL rule makers are being as stubborn as Trump about the nomination rule for rucks; nobody likes it, nobody wants it, there is no evidence to suggest it helps, and almost every match we find a situation where there's confusion brought on because of it. Another rule I wouldn't be against them look at is play on for kicks backward, or perhaps a similar basketball idea where once you pass the halfway line you can't go behind it.

I'm genuinely surprised there isn't a heritage listing placed on the Jack Dyer stand, there aren't many of those old classic stands left over (I suppose for good reason). As for us, I actually also am of the opinion if he have a good proposal to put forward to the government then it will be supported, it would just be interesting to know what plans we have brewing (it's felt like they've been going forever).

Or they knew he would likely be delisted and decided to wait to pick him up for nothing. As a random aside, the club must have known a little while ago that he wasn’t going to be retained for next year. Why didn’t they just delist him prior to the trade period, did we actually think we’d potentially get something of trade value for him? I wish people would actually show him a little bloody respect, it’s like him being on the list has somehow been offensive. He wore the red and blue, played some good games in 2018 (our happiest year for a while); thanks for the service and good luck.

So if another team picks him up he is AFL standard yeah?

Just noticed that the club actually released an article on the clubs website announcing he's been delisted. Best of luck to him. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/836671/mcdonald-s-time-with-melbourne-comes-to-an-end

Not sure about the classy tag but no doubt he's a gun. What I would like to see from him in 2021 is him trusting himself more, similar to what Petracca did to take his next step. It's all well and good to be a team player and bring others into the game, but sometimes I'd prefer he just back himself to break the line and deliver the ball. He's our best full time midfielder, despite the (deserved) praise here I think he has higher levels to go to. Tidy up disposal by foot, stop handballing like it's a hot potato, back himself to do things that others can't (he could be that sort of player), and he could be one of the best to don the Red and Blue. If there is an opportunity to sign him to a 4-5 year contract we should take it.

I'm not against the two tackler thing but like you I hate the "stacks on" when the ball is buried at the bottom of the pack so what you've suggested is a really interesting idea. The game is so fast moving that I think you still need to allow two players to tackle someone with the ball but perhaps say that one needs to let go once they're grounded. I also agree that a 25m penalty rule could be a good thing to bring in, this can be used for indiscretions such as all the time wasting tactics, encroaching in the protected area/crossing the mark, and general backchat that isn't offensive. The 50m penalty can be used for violent conduct, late contact after marks, and offensive chat back to the umpires. I would also like a sin bin to be considered where a player gets sent off for 5 minutes of game time leaving the other team short one for that period for clear rough/violent acts that leave the player unable to continue. These can also be directed to the on field umpires by the video review umpires. My biggest reasoning for that is that how often do we see a team do this and the only team that reaps the benefits are their opponents next week. The team on the day/night should be punished. As an example Nibbler would've been sin binned for 5min against Adelaide for his sling tackle. I also hate the ruck nomination, as soon as the players are up and the ball is in the umpires hand they should throw it up. No nominations just get it moving, same with throw ins just get it going as quickly as possible.

He's young and developing, I liked some of the things he did and he could well eventually take Jetta's role as the small defender permanently. For now he's in a bit of a battle to get a spot in the team.

My concern with Gus this year was that he seemed to be going through the motions a little at times, I don't know whether that was due to a lack of understanding, trust, and/or cohesion with his fellow on ballers. He played some games that are much more to his standard, especially when he was given more responsibility in the middle. I'm a big fan of Viney but I think for the good of the team these two need to rotate between a half forward and guts roles, Jack would bring his manic "see ball get ball" style, and Gus has a better overhead mark and penetrating kick. Not sold on his golf swing goal celebrations.

Spargo's issues continue to be the same: he's small but not quick, disposal is suspect, and doesn't have a lot of tricks. That said he played some good games at the back end of the season and did more than the likes of AvB, ANB, and Jones, he also is at least a little creative when he gets the ball on the edge of 50 to look for options rather than just blasting to the top of the square. I think a two year extension was fair for a player who had a solid place in the team during our 2018 surge, like a few others 2021 could be an important year for him.

Sad end to what looked like it could be a promising new beginning. Obviously it's a private matter but it would still be interesting to know what triggered his getting on the booze when for the most it sounds like he did everything that was expected of him and was seemingly quite well liked by his teammates. Whatever happens with him I hope he's able to get himself right for his family, I imagine he's got a long difficult battle ahead. (I still can't help but wonder whether things would have turned out better for him if he'd managed to have a full season is a normal AFL environment rather than the COVID bubble)

As an AFL player Oscar is limited but like a few others here I acknowledge that as he's got to 80 games he isn't the worst footballer going around at an AFL club. He's put in some solid performances and of course (like Frost) had his purple patch in 2018. Unfortunately I think for him he's been the scapegoat a lot of the time when as a defender there's only so much he can do if the ball is coming in without enough pressure being put on by our midfield. That said I think his time at the club has come to an end, we have a couple of younger players getting to that point where they need to be played and with Tom not going anywhere I feel that there isn't going to be much opportunity for him. Blunt statements of "he's a spud" and "not AFL standard" are a bit harsh on the guy though.

He’s one that really would’ve suffered at the lack of a quality 2nd tier competition, there were flashes this year but only flashes. He’s got to show something next year or I’d say he’ll be moved on

So much of our hopes will rest on his broad shoulders next year, we struggled to consistently kick a winning score and still didn’t seem to have great cohesion between midfield and forwards (though it showed signs of improvement). He’s a good pick up for us, despite the higher pick price tag on Daniher’s compensation pick, he’s definitely 2nd when rating the available forwards behind Cameron. And we didn’t have to sell the farm to get him. God I hope this works out. ?

Random question, who was the last player to wear no 50 for us? And is there one player of note who’s worn it?

I remembered the AFL being sure that the 6.6.6 and the “no need to kick in/man further back at kick ins” rules being the answer to all our problems. No matter what they do you can count on the coaches working around it. They keep tinkering with the rules to the point the game is now unrecognisable compared to its foundations. I liked the quirk or the defender having to kick the ball to themselves in order to take it out.

I said earlier I couldn’t imagine any Dees fan being unhappy with the trading of Brown into the club. Thanks for proving me wrong! ?

Those calendars must be nightmares for the promotional staff at clubs, one year we had Watts before he went to Port and the following year we had Hogan before he went to Freo. They’re good things to have but boy it can backfire quickly! In Brown’s case though I feel like that one was well in the works early.

He’s a Demon for 2021, let’s get behind him now. I think swinging back to defence is the best path for both club and player; we have Brown as our clear FF, Weid and Jacko as our developing forwards, and M Brown as experienced coverage. There’s no place for him there (I know I started a thread asking the question). Train him with the defenders from the start of pre-season as the second tall defender, Lever moves to being solely an interception marker. Tom can continue on his path of getting leaner as May will take the main tall forward. His (hopefully improved) marking ability can be used for a bit of variety with kick outs. Am I totally convinced it’ll work? No. But I think it’s the best opportunity to play him regularly and get return from his contract.

In order of most likely (only my opinion) - Pies are the obvious one after their disaster of a trade period. We destroyed them when we were at our best (and they were at their worst), they limped into finals but credit to them beat WC. Still I think they’re vulnerable and a player revolt after the clubs trade actions could be on the cards - Saints are my next pick only because I see a lot of us in them both historically and in their rise up. Rats is a good coach and I think they’ve done well, but losing to us showed they’re still fragile in the mental stakes. If they have a couple of things and results go against them early I think they’ll struggle to recover - Port are my next pick but I think they’ll still be in contention for top 4, they played a lot better than I expected of them this year and they have some genuine quality in their line up but they are ageing. Will they be able to do a Geelong and stay up with their list getting on? - Dogs have recruited well so I think they’ll be ok but they were very hot and cold last year The rest I’d expected to be firmly entrenched pretty quickly, though I’d love to see an injury crisis hit Geelong. Tigers have had a few the last couple of years but still keep going, I hate saying it but I admire that willingness to keep fighting.

His disposal and decision making improved as the year went on, he was a great pick up who will get better.

Sequels are very rarely any good. If they are to go ahead with this then they should allow clubs to continue to communicate and negotiate. Only turn up on the day with you have deals actually ready to happen. Could be a chance for TMac if both he and the club have someone in mind. I still can’t believe the AFL (with all that time to discuss it) couldn’t come up with a decision on list sizes BEFORE the trade period.