PaulR

Patience grasshopper

Sometimes you've got to burn it down to move forward...

Creates space to bring AMW back into the 23. Easy to move on.

The Dons (currently) refusing to trade Merritt to Hawks, adds credence to our claim that we wont trade Trac unless its clearly beneficial (i.e. Humphrey included). Would be a huge missed opportunity on multiple levels if the Suns messed up this deal for Trac in order to hold onto a player likely to leave anyway in a couple of years, and for less. Plus we're yet to hear from the AFL/Suns marketing department... 😂

The other aspect that warrants scrutiny is this assumption that because GC popped their finals Cherry this year that more finals and a Flag are inevitable and immanent. Taking our journey as a template of a talented list finding it's groove, GC are at our 2018 moment and shouldn't expect silverware for another 3 years (at best)... just when Humphrey's contract will expire and he'll be on the market for real. And replicating our journey would be optimistic given the intense challenge in winning a flag.

I'd add to that, we can offer him quality midfield time that may be harder to get at GC. If Humphrey was planning to return to Victoria/Melbourne in 2028 anyway, the question is "why not do it now, and build a legacy at a foundation club with a coach he knows?"... For him its a "bird in the hand vs two in the bush" conundrum, now with MFC, or to a "better" club in three years. Assuming he can forecast who will be better in 3 years...

Indeed. However, I'd have though our recruiters would have a list of players coming off contract and free agents next year, with whom they have had some initial conversations about their futures... over this year, especially given its been clear for a year Trac may be out.

If we're looking at a possible pick trade for Trac, i.e. Picks 6 & 7, are any of next years free agents worth targeting with these picks? I.e. Port getting the best deal now for an inevitable Butters departure? Any word, as we'd be negligent if we weren't sussing the possibility?

I think theres a lot of finger pointing going on in this thread. For various reasons McVee needed to wait and earn his spot as an attacking HBF and wasn't prepared to. For my two bits the the cause of this was AMW's injury that reduced our pool of quality back pockets and meant Judd had to bide his time longer than he was prepared to... All the culture, coaching speculation is akin to astrology unless you have some hard data to support it. BTW Judd's a Leo, who need to feel they are ruling the roost... so it all makes sense. ;)

The GC draft points numbers are starting to point toward a Humphrey trade being the only option if they want Trac, Uwland (#2 - 2517) and Patterson (#4 - 2034) given they have approx 6235 points (including #7 for Flanders) which would leave only 1684 for Trac without Humphrey... Acknowledge these figures are rubbery with discounts, and additional trades (Rosas and Ainsworth) but they only have Pick #7 worth of points for Trac and I haven't included another GC academy player in Addinsall who's predicet pick 24 (785 points)... Another aspect is with Flanders, Rosas, Ainsworth and several delistings at GC, concentrating their picks to only acquire 3-5 players may cause them issues. Humphrey has become key to them having a monumetal trade and draft season that would set them up for years, in Petracca, Uwland (#2), Patterson (#4), JUH and Addinsall coming in, resulting in improvements now (Trac and JUH?) and later (Uwland and Patterson) with the loss of Flanders, Rosas, Ainsworth and Humphrey. With Humphrey and maybe Flanders the only equivalent losses.

With the other exits from Gold Coast in Rosas and Ainsworth going in return for picks, I suspect GC are likely to offer pick 6 & 7 for Trac rather than include Humphrey…

Morris misunderstands where the decision lies, it’s not with GC, but with Humphrey. I recon GC need to be seen and act in support of their player’s decisions, so if Humphrey indicates MFC then GC will facilitate… not block.

All down to Humphrey revealing his decision. He’s been put in an awkward spot if he was quite happy at Gold Coast, and GC imply they’re happy for him to go… I hope he had a plan to return in 2028, and this just brings it forward. Opportunity for him to step up his game as a key player in the MFC’s 2026 midfield resurgence. 😃

Once Humphrey entered the discussion for Trac, Flanders seemed a bit superfluous tbh… Do we need two mid/farwards? All hinges on Humphrey.

The fact that landing Trac could be a marketing bonanza for the Suns means they’d be wise to pony up Humphrey and Flanders, if only to highlight the value of their new gun player. Stars may be aligning for us…

Now would be the ideal time to announce major progress on our new home base in Caulfield.

Now that Trac has chose Suns publicly, there are several forces at play to make it happen, namely AFL want Trac at GCS so as to help GCS to rapidly grow profile and rivalry with Lions, have cash to offset our having to pay his salary (ambassador deal, advertising, etc...) Brand Petracca will help grow the GCS profile both on and off the field. AFL want GCS success on field asap, Trac helps this for next 2-4 years. Suns are looking to establish themselves as "destination club" and a club on the rise (Ablett Jnr leaving hurt this, Trac to Suns helps restore it). Suns have abundance of kids and picks but need mature bodies now. Demons need to rebalance midfield and move on from post-flag doldrums AND get fair compensation for letting a STAR of the game walk. Demons need what Suns have, young guns with an established relationship with our new coach. Dimma and others may want to play hard ball but the execs at both Suns and AFL will be saying do the deal even if it means Humphrey and Flanders to the Demons. As by spending big on Trac, Suns demonstrate they can catch a "big fish", that they are "serious" players, prepared to do whats required to win their first flag and build their place up North.

I'd have though that we become more attractive to Flanders with Trac leaving, more opportunities in the middle.

Given our current challenges attracting high-end talent to spend our cap on, getting another Langford and Lindsay while paying out some of Trac's contract seems a path we can deliver on, rather than one we just get to dream about.

I didn’t mention they would. However, if gaining pick 6 & 7 required we pay 500k of Tracs salary for a couple of years we’d still be ahead financially as we’d be paying the two kids (pick 6 and 7) well less than what remains.

I think we’re too “bull heavy” in the middle with Trac, Clarry and Viney all similar. This has made the transition of lighter fleet of foot players into the middle more difficult. Tracs second string, his forward work has been so-so and his defensive effectiveness to slow opposition rebounds from our forward half questionable. Clarry has no trade value at the moment and no second string. Viney is club, older and vice captain. Opening the door for Trac seems logical to solve this issue. On Trac’s grievances, he’s acted or verbalized these publicly, tried to strong arm the club last year, and this year not acknowledged the work or progress the club may have made in addressing the issues. Unlike pretty much every player on the list. And he does this as one of the clubs highest payed and high profile players. I acknowledge and am grateful for his contribution in lifting up to a flag in 2021. Should he leave, I’m on GC for Trac for Flanders and pick 6. Or if Flanders chooses Saints (for pick 7), then it’s Trac for 6 and 7. And we’ll be a better team for it.

Is there an issue between May and McVee?

This would be close to the mark as reasonable, should Trac wants to go to GC.

I think you’re confusing me with someone who said Trac wants to leave.