Yeah I’m in that boat @dmaplestone
They look the goods to me. And they are sneakily rebuilding on the run pretty well with a cluster of good kids - Windsor, Langford, Lindsay, McVee, Van Rooyen and potentially Tholstrup and Jefferson.
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I think Melbourne will be giving top 4 a very firm shake this year barring injury catastrophe to key players
they are gawn if gawn gets injured. they rely on him so much. Van rooyen also needs to step up as well. they should make the 8 if all goes well but I dont see a top 4 spot for them but what would i know. the top 4 is pretty strong with teams like brisbane, swans, geelong (ick!) and gws. i hate to say it but the pies will bounce back and also carlton will be strong.
Agree 
Yeap. We differ in that I think if they had our draw for example.
I don’t think they would fair a lot better than us and I think they def would be out of the 8.
they wouldn’t get to play us for one 
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A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not how you Death Ride Melbourne 2025 and get the next Andy McGrath
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I think snake was more important to the lions than people realise
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I think he’s an enormous loss for Brisbane. He was clearly their best key forward but a unique back up ruck option. He was very much a point of difference.
I still think Brisbane are top 4 quality, but I don’t see them going back to back.
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this is true. hipwood will probably struggle with best tall defender.
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Could have stopped here.
But I do see a bleak season on his horizon also
It’s commonly referred to as the football gods.
Or maybe one of the 3 witches that assailed Macbeth.
It’s all tied in together.
Does this thread stay lid offish if the Dees roll Freo in Perth this weekend and then follow it up with a touch up of the giants in round 1?
Or does it kinda go quiet.
We are getting the next Sam Powell Pepper?
Hey CJ, did they assail Macbeth or just essay ill winds?
Melbourne going badly … lid off chatter.
Melbourne going well… it inverts to slagging off AFL assistance to Melbourne in getting free kicks / good draw / late SSP lodgement of Jai etc
Melbourne going great … flexes to slagging off EFC decision makers who took Melbourne deal instead of holding out for better.
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FARK MELBOURNE (Footy club)
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They’re really in a very good spot here either way given he’s still signed on until the end of 2027. Makes you wonder why he even signed that recent contract.
Melbourne president Brad Green willing to hold Kysaiah Pickett against wishes, reveals asking price
If Kysaiah Pickett were to leave Melbourne, he would not go cheaply. President Brad Green has opened up on the club’s stance — and whether they’d hold the star against his wishes.
February 28, 2025 - 12:00PM
Melbourne president Brad Green says the Demons want three first-round draft picks or a top-line player component in any end-of-season trade for dynamite playmaker Kysaiah Pickett.
Green said the club would be prepared to keep Pickett, 23, at the club next year against his wishes in the event he requested a trade to Fremantle for family reasons. But Green said the club’s asking price was three early picks for Pickett, who is contracted until the end of 2027.
“Whatever way this goes we will be OK,” Green said.
“We will either keep a highly talented A-grade player, who we all love, because he is a terrific guy and a unique talent, or another club – whether that is West Coast or Fremantle – it (trade) will be three first-round picks.
Melbourne president Brad Green (L) has put a hefty asking price on Kysaiah Pickett. Picture: Michael Klein
“And if we don’t get that quality of picks, or a player component, unfortunately ‘Kozzie’ you are not going. There is no negotiation. That is the reality of where it sits and he knows that.
“We all like to be romantic and loving and compassionate, but we are here to run a football club and he is not saying he wants to get out of the joint, there is more to it than that.”
It means Melbourne could yet end up losing its top two players from the 2019 draft after sending gun ruckman Luke Jackson to the Dockers for pick 13 and future first and second-round selections in 2022.
Pickett could join Luke Jackson at Fremantle next year. Picture: Michael Klein
But Green said the Demons would want even more for Pickett, who the president likened to Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli.
“He is up there with the best small forwards, and I’m talking Stephen Milne and Cyril (Rioli),” he said.
“Cyril went into the midfield at certain times, but I think ‘Kossie’ can play more of a part in the midfield, because he adds a different dynamic to what we have got in there with Clarry (Clayton Oliver), Jack (Viney) and Christian (Petracca).
“But Kossie is different. Super talent. He can crumb, he can mark, and he doesn’t mind sitting on someone’s head.”
After a string of successful trades, Melbourne’s status as a destination club is under question after Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston backflipped on a decision to move to Melbourne and picked Collingwood last year.
Green said the Demons had room in the salary cap to bring in a top-line player in this year’s trade period. But the club was also aware it had to bring in more excellent young talent ahead of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL in 2028 after trading its top pick in this year’s draft to Essendon.
The Dees missed out on Dan Houston. Picture: Getty Images
Green said the club wanted to “build on the run”.
“We are in a strong position to go into the market and go and get a good player,” he said.
“In that that list management space, (list boss) Tim Lamb and (recruiting manager) Jason Taylor, have been unbelievable in picking talent.
“But players want to come to a club that is challenging. You have probably got 10-12 clubs who are out to win the flag, and if you are not, you aren’t going to get anyone.
“If you are bottom two or four, you are not going to get them."
It’s time clubs have the power to hold players to their contract and not be dictated to.
If Picket wants to leave it’s going to cost 3 first rounders or an A grade player otherwise your staying put and honouring your contracf
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Little know fact, Brad Green trained with Manchester United at one stage.
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