PaulRB

I think last year the only trade we all knew was coming was Cross, with Vince and Tyson trades catching most off guard... Which was a good result.

Can't they be the new Melbourne and we can be the new Geelong? Please.

I'm just relieved that we're not trading coaches this year... takes at least a year (often longer) to recover.

Last one - Dees and Blease to part ways

Frawley has been at 75% pace all year, and still finished in our top 10 players. He's good and will add ALOT to a team in contention with the need for a big experienced quality backman. Its a big loss for us. Denying it is so, won't change that.

In retrospect it was an inspired move by Scully, as he'll earn at least three times the salary he'd have got once the limits of his talents became evident. Crappy deal for GWS, and may be the making of the MFC...

Be interesting to hear the AFL's thoughts on Mitch wanting out, especially if they were involved in his 'depression' and 'retirement' earlier in the year. Granting him early FA status, while helping the MFC out, also gives Mitch what he wants, which might stick in the AFL's craw...

Assuming the court sees in favour of ASADA on friday, how long till the players have to respond to the "show cause" notice and/or be given penalties? Apologies if this is mentioned in one of the 300 prior pages

AFL site has him sniffing around Freo... - McPharlin's future unclear as reports of Freo's interest in Frawley emerge

I love it. Its like walking yourself to the electric chair... So apt and honest. Great work.

Ive been sated on that front... makes more sense now.

We do seem determined to experience every position in the book to screw ourselves...

It's all a bit sad. Still have him play on for us...

Cats slide continues, out in straight sets, first side since Weagles in 2007 to do so... not even top 6, with North moving past them. Interesting decision for James.

such a Melbourne moment all excited then... nothing.

And what did you hear from another source?

Come on! Whats the rumour?

Can you (your source) clarify exactly what it was?

Its only baggage it he leaves the MFC, if he stays and works his way back into the game, no baggage.

"it won't work" being? Mitch's comeback? I find it hard to judge what pressure would be on Mitch at other clubs, I suspect we're not that different to most.

Football is an emotional game with ongoing demands and moments of extreme pressure. Managing and coping with injuries is part of the challenge most players face. Fans are encouraged by club and players alike to get emotionally attached to the team and the players. Players play this game with many activities from PR, signing balls to connecting and celebrating with the crowd when they score. Mitch Clark bought into this fan seduction game totally, No# 11 on his back, leader of club, face of hope at the MFC... He then struggled with injuries and then the black dog bit. The fans and club gathered sympathetically around him and supported him, even to the point of accepting he was lost to us and the game. For Mitch to come back and easily disavow himself of these emotional ties and obligations was naive and ill-advised. He does not owe the public an explanation, he owes those who's support he lent on (and it seems led on) these past couple of years an explanation. The lack of such an honest explanation created the space for us to assume the worst and project these fears with anger onto Mitch. Agree many should tone it down, but it's hardly a surprise, and Mitch needs to bear a fair amount of responsibility for the hurt he's generated (generating).

Would reserve judgement till Hogan's played 22 games in 2015 as an emerging 19 yr old power forward. Please footy gods...

I think what different people perceive as pressure varies from one person to the next. What Mitch feels to be pressure, what kind of pressure depresses him, etc... are all questions that Mitch is yet to explore with the public. And even the idea that pressure is at the heart of any decision he might have made to leave the MFC is speculation. One could just as easily argue that there would be less pressure at the MFC than another club...

Would be a handy addition to the team in 2015! If able to return to form. PS music on these clips is woefull.

A commentator recently described North as having the right blend of youth and experience which has precipitated their rise up the ladder this year. Last year Roo's brought in an old hand with the right attitude (Cross), an experienced known talent (Vince), a developed kid with great potential (Tyson, Michie, Reily) as well as a handful of undeveloped kids (Salem, Hogan*, etc). I'd expect him to repeat this formulae this year with the added punch of additional high pick(s) from Frawley (Clark) plus being prepared to trade top 22 players given he's now had a year to assess and decide if they fit his model going forward. Not a dissimilar strategy to what Neeld tried with Dawes, Clark, Rodan, etc... just carried off better thus far. I don't see this approach needing to change significantly as we rise up the ladder. As the top 4 are proving, as you rise you may get worse draft picks but your free agency punch increases significantly...