PaulRB

Demonsterative - I get where you are coming from, but totally disagree with your thoughts. Liam has my full respect and support for the journey he has made across the emotional, mental, and cultural void between his community and the mainstream community at the MFC. Great clubs have values and pursue those values when others would defer. While this year has been bleak and devoid of proud footy moments (only the Dons game), I have felt more proud of the club this year than I have in 40+ years of supporting it. First was the MFC support and respect for Jimmy, his family and his memory. The second was ditching Energy Watch for his racist and sexist rants. The third was our support for Liam over his troubles. Great clubs support their players. [censored] ones ditch them.

Agree. Oak aged Norwegan Vodka for me.

I always blow the "optimism bubble" up this time of the week, gets me through the weekend's footy. Was a "Rocky" fan in my youth. And...

It's a Cinderella story this one, next year we rise. Liam will be back... and the footy gods will smile on us.

I don't buy the "we can't walk and chew gum at the same time!" argument, we use our draft picks to trade for and draft midfielders and use the war chest to get Cloke. Walking = trade for and draft midfielders i.e. Boak, Caddy, Viney, pick 3 pick 4, pick 13 whatever.. Chewing = get Cloke. Combine = awesome!

Have to hope (I could never support) Carlton win, if only for the following reason. Carlton make finals Ratten keeps his job. Malthouse not coach Carlton. Cloke not join Mick at Carlton. Cloke joins Neeld and Leigh Brown at MFC MFC win 2014 flag. Simple really.

Indeed.

Don't be sad, we've still got Colin Sylvia. AKA "The Full forward".

I've heard a couple of different perspectives on what's going on, part of which was in the article. Liam's situation is complex and challenging. He deserves the clubs continued support and compassion, and I wish him all the best.

Fingers crossed I guess. Would love to see Liam, Clark and Cloke in our forward line next year.

What was in the article was not exactly the story I heard. Figured it would be best to let the Club put it out as they saw best... Sorry.

Be interesting to hear what Cam has to say about his departure, and how the Demons handle Liam and his challenges.

Jurrah on leave with family

draw?

Won't be playing. Let the club explain...

"sigh"

Watching Goddard against us last week, he didn't particularly impress me. I think we'd have to trade for experienced mids (i.e. Caddy, Boak, etc...) whereas we don't give up draft picks to get Cloak, just cash. We can do both...

At least we should have the expertise and experience to know where his broken leg is at and what would be required to get him going.

No hate them with passion. Point was, that if they can afford those players we should be able to add Cloke to our team without bankrupting it.

The fat we've built into our salary over the past couple of years means Cloke should not limit our ability to pay our young "stars" more as the list matures. We have no Buddy, Rioli, Hodge, Mitchel level players so we should grab what we can i.e. Cloak.

I believe the salary cap is $8.21million per club. With a young team with few stars we would only be spending 92.5 % on this and past couple of years, however according to all reports we have been spending 100% by prepaying some players (i.e. Davey may have already recieved all of his salary for next year). This allows us to squirrel away 7.5% of $8.21 million per year or $615,750 p.a. Assuming we have been doing this since we cleared our debt we should have a war chest of $1.8 million plus. Hence, Cloke.

We get Trav, and Boak, Caddy and others returning to Victoria will see the MFC as a major player and an attractive and exciting club to be at.

I think Cloke is not excited by Buckley's reign, over the self flagellation at Collingwood, and looking for a new challenge. The decision to join Melbourne would come with the prospect (and challenge) of being part of delivering our 13th premiership. Neeld intimately knows the value he could bring so if we go hard for him, I trust the benefit will eventuate. Too many people on here hedging their bets in case he picks another team, so they can say "we don't want/need him anyway". We should always go hard to get the best.