Young Blood

Sure Harry would be great (if he somehow changed his mind and was happy to leave which I doubt) But we're now in a position where we have to replace Gus, ANB and now Trac (who knows if Clarry can be Clarry again). Next year could be rough.,..

This would all be so much easier to swallow if he wasn't our best player...

hahaha You're right would be much easier playing alongside Cripps or Daicos

He was delisted... But yes yes funny funny

Yeah this is what I was thinking? He's got two weeks to prepare mentally for a final in Brisbane and this is whats coming at him from all angles... My memory is awful, has there been many trades where a player (like a top 10 forward) were simply traded regardless of their want to leave? I know in other pro sports its a non issue as simply being 'part of the business' but in AFL I can't remember too many. A disappointed and disgruntled Harry Mckay forced over in a trade would be just what we need right now...

Curious as to who you think would be a bigger star/calibre of player to leave us since Ron

This is what I keep hearing. I think the guy has gone through hell with these injuries and the mental trauma. We all keep asking for answers from the man when he may simply be waiting until her has a clearer head. All this conjecture is pretty useless. The media are pushing this 'pressure' narrative on Trac to come to decisions when in actual fact behind closed doors there's really no rush at this stage for Trac or the club and there's some healing to be done before any media announcements.

Well said Lee indeed (along with the slight swipe at Morrison and McClure)

With Trac's injuries I don't think we're going to know the extent of damage in the short/long term until next year and thats both physically and mentally. This is why I don't think other clubs are going to take the risk during this years trade period. Giving up a top 10 forward and first round picks is a lot for a guy that might not be the player he was. Its a long road back.

Lets do as yesterday Trac suggested.... We'll obviously never outnumber the filth but I hope we can get some real volume going to stir our lads on!

I was going to start a thread as a call to arms for all Demonland fans to come down tomorrow night (*if you're able) and support the boys to give them a lift for the game but also encouragement for a big off season. COME ALONG....

Max has mentioned multiple times over the past few weeks that he was in contact with Trac while he was away, speaking to him often. Haven't listened to the Lever interview yet. Does he mention that none of them were in contact with Trac?

lol yeah because you'd rather that then get the 5 weeks down to 3 for a chance for your top five player to be available for a possible grand final. Port people are funny people hey.

I think Viney yes. Max has a few business' going and I think will look towards a media role somewhere so I doubt he'll have the time.

Nice. This could get tricky for Port. I still think regardless of latest media that we're still in the race. Could we see Nibbler involved in the trade along with our late or future first pick?

Obviously have zero faith in the AFL but I really don't think they stuff it up this time. As you say 5 down to 4 is all the appeal will achieve. If they lower it any more it will just be so clear they want him for finals (for the ratings etc.) as they did with that p**ck Maynard. He's ignored the ball, elected to bump and caused a concussion. Plain and simple. Look forward to his clean slate lining up for the dees approx. round 2 next season realistically. Although Binmans wish also works.

See training reports from beloved @WalkingCivilWar who may or may not be the secret source!

Yes or he could continue to get better as he's shown the last few seasons. If Travis Boak can still be effective at 36 I don't see why Viney can't compete at this level until he's 34. As you've likely heard in the media of late, players used to be nervous when they reached 30 but these days that's less and less the case with advanced sports science and elite fitness programs players, are playing and performing well into mid thirties far more often. Health wise I would have been concerned about him pre 2022 but over the past three seasons he's played 68 games. I know the shoulder is an issue but the fact he can still compete at a high level while carrying that injury this season is a credit to him. Hopefully he can fix that up over the off season. Worst case scenario with these sorts of signings is if Jack did find in a few years time that he's on the outer for midfield time in the seniors with other younger players taking his place then the club would do what Hawthorn did with Lews and Hodge. Give him that opportunity to play senior footy at another club. THEN you might see a scenario where he plays for a developing side like North.

I really enjoyed the way the club came together on Saturday. The photo of the players at the start of the game and at the end as a memory/symbol of a playing group who had come out to get the win but above all to enjoy the day was a simple but effective gesture for the playing group and the demon community at large to see as a club who despite heavy media coverage is still as a whole united. As Jack Viney explained in his post game MFC media interview, there was a simple message from coaches and the general playing group to simply go out there and enjoy the game. I think the pressure being off now that we out of the finals race obviously helps but I just thought the players looks so much more relaxed and didn't tighten up as much with the ball nearly as much as previous weeks. We've seen it across the season but again seeing the players make an effort to get to individuals like they did with Kozzy after his hard-running goal assist to Melk with encouragement and support was so pleasing to see. The joy they all had when they got around Judd after his first goal was also heart warming. On multiple occasions I saw players after congratulating the player who made the play or laid the tackle then go on to other players for a high five as they went back to their position. Thats playing with genuine joy and positivity. So good. We can get so caught up with media whirlwinds around individual players situations that we forget that there's a majority of our list that have genuine care and enjoyment playing for one another and bringing focus to that is important.

Agree 100%. Jack isn't the best public speaker, you can see the wheels turning as he works his way through answering questions. I don't think he'd have known he was answering the question in a way that made it seem he was considering leaving. On the Sunday footy show, they showed the interview post game with Jack, of which the reaction of the whole panel was essentially "oh wow... he's gone!" which is how most would read into it given that this is usually the answer of a player weighing up their options. I was shocked too but after watching it again and seeing the other interview I think it was Jack just talking about contract talks and not fully realising his words.

Good move DJ. I will stay well out of Trac talk until we know facts beyond sweeping statements and hypotheticals.

Please don't call me cobber. I prefer 'sport' ;) Like Cornes I just felt you were drawing a long bow based on conjecture. You've mentioned an old unrelated event early in Jack's career alongside an unreported hypothetical that Jack is possibly in agreeance with Petracca about internal player matters. I don't think its actually been reported that Trac is unhappy with the playing group, just the club in general at this stage. If you read the OP along with others on the first page the latest news is that Jack has turned down the interest from North and is working on a new deal. I understand Clarko is trying to rekindle the flames in today's interview by mentioning Jack again but it means very little at this stage apart from keeping the media running with a story a little longer. For Cornes I get it but I guess as a Melbourne supporter entertaining the idea makes no sense to me as you seem to be a passionate fan, aware of how Jack bleeds red and blue surely know that Jack would have no interest in joining a club that's won 6 games in the last two seasons.

This sounds like a Kane Cornes SEN segment...

Yes all reports are saying Jack has turned down any offers from North and is working on a new contract with MFC. This is just Clarkson expressing the type of player they are looking for. Of course he's going to say they're still persuing JV to show their supporters they're still in the hunt. There's no way Jacks going to go play for a developing side.

This is a cute idea.