Jaded No More

Imagine if Ben Brown could win a free

I have zero confidence.

Melbourne Instagram confirmed no Jackson. Brown in and Tomlinson sub.

Umpires really loving Carlton

My guess is Ben Brown. Heaven help us if he gets injured.

I just want to know how bad the injury is and for how long he will be out?! Someone? anyone?

Also can't win when opposition doesn't allow their midfielders to have a clear run at the footy. If their midfield is even 2% down they are done for. It's why we smashed them in the grand final in the end. We were able to shut down their inside mid work and they fell apart like a cheap suit, because other than an elite midfield, they have nothing else. Their backline is bottom 4 stuff, and their mids only run one way. Naughton is a lone solider up forward, but his run and jump style is really easy to stop if the ball isn't coming in quick.

So has Jackson

If we sign him for 3 Kane Cornes says it's not enough. If we sign him for 7 it's too long. This guy is an A+ player, rarely missed games, is consistent as any player in the AFL, and is not even 25. How is 7 years a risk? Who here thinks he won't still be playing decent footy at 32?

tripped over the bag of cash… sloppy from Melbourne

David King loves making an [censored] of himself

He did have groin and OP issues as a teen so probably right with management. He wasn’t exactly in peak fitness either when drafted. I have to say that given how many off season shoulder operations he’s had, he’s been amazing at never showing any signs on the field.

It would be SO Gus to announce he's staying on the podcast.

Quite seriously I don’t know why anyone in the middle of their career would go to Geelong. They are at the edge of a cliff. I get being close to 30 and wanting a quick shot at success. But Gus would be waaaay better off going to Carlton or Freo and pushing for success for a long time to come. But he would be best off staying in Melbourne where he bloody well belongs.

I also find it weird that he’s seriously thinking about leaving but his socials are always covered in Melbourne news, he’s playing his heart out, celebrating with passion and seems really engaged in the club. I am sure if he does leave it will be with a very heavy heart. There is nothing to suggest he will love Freo or West Coast the way he loves Melbourne. Leaving a fantastic work place is a big big risk, because they are far and few between.

And not to jinx him, but he’s been remarkably resilient. Has he missed a game since debut?

Best player in the AFL. I’ll fight anyone who disagrees. Well done Clarry. Forever a demon legend.

Neither will Goodwin. Has gone on record saying it was a bad decision. Fritta is a lot of things, but he is not a defender.

If Cox can get approval for his glasses, surely Tmac can get approval for a medical scooter.

Ben Brown leaving North had absolutely nothing to do with money or length of contract. He is getting paid significantly less at Melbourne than he would have been paid at North. He also did not leave for success (although anything is an upgrade on North). He left because he was treated appallingly during a very difficult personal time and particularly his wife wanted a change of scenery for their family. Melbourne presented really well to them and offered them the sort of family club culture they were after. Edit: and because Brown is such a decent guy, he never wanted to come out and speak badly about North so the conversation in the media was about length of contract, when in reality it was about their crappy culture. I mean JHF has had a gutful of the place and he's 18 with 8 games under his belt, not 29 with a young family.

So the hold up is deciding if he is going to sign for 2 years or 10? I assume the club said to him "here is a contract for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years". Pick one and mail it back.

As his parents I would absolutely advise him to stick it out. There are no guarantees in life. He might hate Freo. He might struggle to fit in. His mates at home might distract him the way Hogan's did. He might go to West Coast and never win another flag. Sometimes when you have something good right in front of you, you have to grasp it with both hands. If he was my son I tell him to get over it and have it in your contract that you can spend your off season in Perth every year. Done deal.

One of my favourites. I love the way he goes about his football, and what he's achieved as a mature aged recruit with a dodgy back playing on defenders twice his size most weeks is unbelievable. Few players will ever kick 6 goals in a grand final again. Absolute star.

I really don't get it either. You're 20. You're living in the best city in Australia. You are making lots of money. You have lots of friends. Borders are open. You are winning and winning well. What is the lure to come home? You have your whole life to live a boring life in WA, but only a short time to learn from the best ruckman in the competition and play with the best midfield in the competition. I understand players with kids, partners etc who might have pressure from their spouse to be closer to family for the sake of the kids. Jackson is 20. He will never have a better life than he does now. Young people have no idea how good they have it sometimes. I swear!

This is just about the only deal I would agree to with Freo. It also keeps Gus at Melbourne for life, which is a win win. Andy Brayshaw alongside Clarry, Trac and Viney.... who cares if we don't even have a ruckman?! In all seriousness, this feels a lot like the Hogan situation and I am convinced beyond doubt that Jackson will grow to regret this decision.