Young Blood

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.

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.

Wasn't he our ruck coach and then transitioned to forward coach? Lovely guy and coached us to a GF but I agree its time for a change. Maybe someone with a harder edge.

I don't know why people are so surprised. Do we not know how negotiating works? Of course Port are going to ask for something as unrealistic as this. Its how you start trade talks. He's a contracted player whose likely to get a second all Australian and finish in Ports top 4 BnF. Of course they're going to ask for overs as a starting bid. If we do end up his preferred destination, which by the way I still think could be the case. Of course he'd have reservations with all our media attention but that will likely pass when things become clearer at the end of the season with our review etc. If he wants to get to Melbourne and genuinely wants to leave Port then we can certainly negotiate to make it a more favourable deal. I think we look to split the pick 6/7 (with GC for example) and use a later first rounder for Houston so we still hold a top 10 selection. I wouldn't be turning our backs on this just because Port are doing what they should by starting with the highest (unrealistic price).

For me it has to be both. We will have to be really active and creative - Split the picks: Our pick 6/7 for Gold Coasts 10+20 and a player back perhaps) - Use first pick - Trade second first rounder for Houston (or other similar caliber player) - ANB for pick 27 (crows) or 32 (Port) - Sign Peatling (the exact player we should be prioritizing... basically another Rivers) Look at other out of favour players like Ben Hobbs, Reef McInnes/Finlay Macrae, Matthew Owies, Jack Lukosius. Any other similar suggestions?

If I was Petracca watching our most recent games (especially Freo, GWS and dogs) I would be so frustrated watching how our midfield has been coached. The way we're setting up at centre bounce and stoppages has been giving us a complete disadvantage. Last week was a little better but still. If this is any indication then who knows how much more there is to it with the midfield group and its dissatisfaction. That in turn would cause all sorts of potential conflict. I know we shouldn't speculate but it just seems rather obvious to me that in Minnies first year that we've had our poorest output from our midfield. I know he's had awful luck with Gus out, Trac going down and Clarry's lack of fitness, but like I said our structure around stoppages to not deny opposition clear outlets has been quite concerning.

Well, you're never going to be able to pursue nor catch happiness with that attitude :)

Wait this makes no sense. You knew the season was over the first game against Sydney because Bailey ran out onto the ground looked like he didn't want to be there. So Bailey goes on to kick 4 goals and really fires up. Is that what you mean by he came good eventually? So by the end of the game you had some hope the season wasn't completely over?

Its a shame he's not a Victorian. A local Western Sydney boy so if GWS are in fact upping their offer and can find a place for him in their best 22 then you would think he'll most likely stay. It will be very interesting to see what happens now that GWS have players returning from injury, coming back to that midfield rotation. If he doesn't get much opportunity through the finals this might sway his decision making. I can see him being their sub through the finals if they have a healthy list.

Sorry to disappoint but he will certainly be playing these last two games. As he said and Goodwin reiterated, He wants nothing more then to sing the song one more time and will be playing to help us get a win in the next two weeks. Would love a send off at the MCG where we beat the pies with Nibbler getting stuck into them.

Seeing Jack in anything other than red and blue would have been so weird. It probably exists in some twisted parallel universe somewhere. Happy to stay in this one.

Yes he's a role player, but the level of intensity and incredible aerobic ability this guy has at good pace is elite. 11th in the comp for pressure acts this year. None of the above players you mention have the tank that ANB has (besides Laurie who doesn't have the agility/speed to play as a pressure forward). Its going to take a while for those guys to build the leadership qualities that Nibbler has. I don't think its going to be a simple task replacing one of the best pressure forwards in the comp along with his experience.

Are they not allowed to be unhappy if this is to be the case?

Do you think there's something sinister at play? All within a few weeks trade rumours around Clayton, Viney, Trac and now Nibbler (the latter the only legitimate one obviously) We've historically been extremely tight with inside club affairs. This seems particularly out of pocket for us to suddenly be so leaky...

wow what a year its been - Clarry's off field problems and fitness (poor blokes been vomiting at every match) - Gus retires - May injures ribs twice (can have longer term effects as we saw with Langdon) - Trac goes down with a horrible injury bringing contention around club medos - The team runs our of steam fitness wise and reverts to defensive front half slog football - Someone in Tracs camp makes it known he's unhappy with the current state of the club - Impactful injuries to Gawn, Salem, Windsor and Bowey And now this as a new fresh punch in the guts. ANB one of most consistent players will be sorely missed....