Jack will come back & bite us

[jenny61_99]

Really though, who else would they choose as captains?

Davis has played just 21 games. Can't believe he'd be a candidate to be a co-Captain. Part of the leadership group maybe, but not Captain.

 

[Allefgib]

we talked up his leadership capabilities don't forget.

They don't expect results straight away jen. If we felt VB was worth a shot last year.. i don't se why you'd be surprised at GWS picking him this year. They expect 2 to 3 years of struggling and growth after all.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

exactly what Craig said - this is the new world WE have created and WE better get used to it

Actually is the absolute antithesis of what Craig said (which was about Davis btw).

Everything was about the system being wrong/unfair - nothing about us having to change anything or being even partly responsible.

 

[Big Gazoongas]

So if he did all those things right and still left, you would've been ok with it?

Like I said, terrible for us that he left, but psychoanalysing the spur of the moment actions of a 19 year old kid with no life experience is a bit much for mine.

We should be disappointed that he left, but we should be looking at why he left and trying to fix it, not calling him every name under the sun. We can be bitter and twisted if we want but it won't help us the next time a kid wants to go back to Victoria.

I don't like players that have shown potential and value leaving the club after a few years, unfortunately it is part of our game which we need to accept
What I take issue with is the way he went about it.
His actions are one of someone that doesn't feel he has built any worthwhile friendships during his time at the club that he feels are worthwhile providing an explanation or reason.
He basically gave the whole club the 1 finger salute along with some pathetic drummed up excuse and toddled off back to Melbourne.

At least Bock and Davis stuck around and faced their teammates!!

Gunston's actions say alot about his character, is this the type of bloke you want fighting in the trenches with you??

Sorry SP but I don't buy into the "spur of the moment actions of a 19 year old kid with no life experience" reason.

Sure there are things we could do better and we should explore all those options, however based on Gunston's actions what could the club have done to keep him....hell, up until the 11th hour he was ready to sign!!!

 

[Swifty18]

I don't like players that have shown potential and value leaving the club after a few years, unfortunately it is part of our game which we need to accept
What I take issue with is the way he went about it.
His actions are one of someone that doesn't feel he has built any worthwhile friendships during his time at the club that he feels are worthwhile providing an explanation or reason.
He basically gave the whole club the 1 finger salute along with some pathetic drummed up excuse and toddled off back to Melbourne.

At least Bock and Davis stuck around and faced their teammates!!

Gunston's actions say alot about his character, is this the type of bloke you want fighting in the trenches with you??

Sorry SP but I don't buy into the "spur of the moment actions of a 19 year old kid with no life experience" reason.

Sure there are things we could do better and we should explore all those options, however based on Gunston's actions what could the club have done to keep him....hell, up until the 11th hour he was ready to sign!!!

That's exactly how I feel about it.

You look at the way Maric/Armstrong went about it - they made it clear from as soon as they were handed a new contract that they were looking around & didn't really give a preferred club, just a preferred location - hell, even Maric said if you can't get a good deal, I'll stay - but we got Jacobs almost through the same way Richmond got Maric, which is why Crows fans wished him well & don't hold anything against him.

There's a right way about leaving & a wrong way; Gunston did everything wrong. I would've kept a little bit of respect for him if he had the guts to turn up to the B&F, but he decided to fly home....

 

[bjn1960]

That's exactly how I feel about it.

You look at the way Maric/Armstrong went about it - they made it clear from as soon as they were handed a new contract that they were looking around & didn't really give a preferred club, just a preferred location - hell, even Maric said if you can't get a good deal, I'll stay - but we got Jacobs almost through the same way Richmond got Maric, which is why Crows fans wished him well & don't hold anything against him.

There's a right way about leaving & a wrong way; Gunston did everything wrong. I would've kept a little bit of respect for him if he had the guts to turn up to the B&F, but he decided to fly home....

These are poignant sentiments.

 

[jenny61_99]

Salient even.

 

[jenny61_99]

we talked up his leadership capabilities don't forget.

They don't expect results straight away jen. If we felt VB was worth a shot last year.. i don't se why you'd be surprised at GWS picking him this year. They expect 2 to 3 years of struggling and growth after all.

VB wasn't 21 and only played 21 games though. In fact - Davis managed 21 games in the last 3 years - last year? just 3! Captain material? Maybe - but not yet.

 

[Allefgib]

I think in terms of where both clubs saw themselves and their lists the 3 to 4 year difference is not as profound as you're making it.

Didn't harps say when he left he was potentially going to be a future captain?

 

[cmndstab]

I think it's simply a reflection of the fact that being a captain is not really so much about what happens on-field nowadays. The dude has leadership qualities coming out of all pores. He's also a pretty handy player.

The only potential spanner in the works will be whether or not he can recover fully from his shoulder injuries. If he can't get on the park at all, he's no good to them as captain. Otherwise, he'll be fine.

That said, while I'm sure Davis will do fine, I'm not sure GWS needed three captains. Surely you'd make Power your captain until he retires, and give the young guys time to grow into a leadership role?

 

[jenny61_99]

That's what I thought Stabbie. I'd have had Power as Captain, Ward as Vice and Davis as DV (if at all). I think Davis needs to concentrate on his footy for a while and they need to see if he can actually stay on the park. You don't actually have to be named a leader to be a leader (see Andrew McLeod). Give him a chance to settle in and then bestow the mantle on him. I don't know, call me old fashioned, but in my book a Captain should earn his title.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

That's exactly how I feel about it.

You look at the way Maric/Armstrong went about it - they made it clear from as soon as they were handed a new contract that they were looking around & didn't really give a preferred club, just a preferred location - hell, even Maric said if you can't get a good deal, I'll stay - but we got Jacobs almost through the same way Richmond got Maric, which is why Crows fans wished him well & don't hold anything against him.

There's a right way about leaving & a wrong way; Gunston did everything wrong. I would've kept a little bit of respect for him if he had the guts to turn up to the B&F, but he decided to fly home....

So, if Gunston had been truthful and said mid-season that he wanted to leave, that we were a rabble on the verge of sacking our coach and had dropped him four times back to Centrals in his first 8 games of AFL football so what on earth are we trying to do... then we'd be much happier with that

If he'd done that Gunston would have been turfed out of the club immediately, Bock-style.

He wouldn't have played out the season, he wouldn't have kicked those goals and wouldn't have got us the same return in trade week.

Armstrong and Maric are average players. We didn't really care if they stayed or left. The recipient clubs wouldn't even really care if the deals fell through. They are minor, nothing trades that have minimal impact on all parties.

Maric and Armstrong can leave safe in the knowledge that they aren't letting us down. They know it, we know it. Much easier to remain friends. Gunston was going to be a key player for us - he knew it, we knew it. There is no way he can part company with us and for it to end all happy families.

Turned up to the B&F Yeah, hi guys. I know I haven't said anything previously but I've been planning to leave for a long time. I don't rate the club on or off field. I want to go to a better, more professional club with more opportunity for success. So yeah, let's have a great night. Which table am I at? Who's gonna win, Thommo? I hope I win an award, that won't be awkward at all.

 

[AFC979810]

That's what I thought Stabbie. I'd have had Power as Captain, Ward as Vice and Davis as DV (if at all). I think Davis needs to concentrate on his footy for a while and they need to see if he can actually stay on the park. You don't actually have to be named a leader to be a leader (see Andrew McLeod). Give him a chance to settle in and then bestow the mantle on him. I don't know, call me old fashioned, but in my book a Captain should earn his title.

A bit of a contradiction with Sloane there Jenny?

 

[AFC979810]

So, if Gunston had been truthful and said mid-season that he wanted to leave, that we were a rabble on the verge of sacking our coach and had dropped him four times back to Centrals in his first 8 games of AFL football so what on earth are we trying to do... then we'd be much happier with that

If he'd done that Gunston would have been turfed out of the club immediately, Bock-style.

He wouldn't have played out the season, he wouldn't have kicked those goals and wouldn't have got us the same return in trade week.

Armstrong and Maric are average players. We didn't really care if they stayed or left. The recipient clubs wouldn't even really care if the deals fell through. They are minor, nothing trades that have minimal impact on all parties.

Maric and Armstrong can leave safe in the knowledge that they aren't letting us down. They know it, we know it. Much easier to remain friends. Gunston was going to be a key player for us - he knew it, we knew it. There is no way he can part company with us and for it to end all happy families.

Turned up to the B&F Yeah, hi guys. I know I haven't said anything previously but I've been planning to leave for a long time. I don't rate the club on or off field. I want to go to a better, more professional club with more opportunity for success. So yeah, let's have a great night. Which table am I at? Who's gonna win, Thommo? I hope I win an award, that won't be awkward at all.

Or he could have been a man and told the group and coaches after the season.... The Crows season ended on 29th August and the Crows B&F was on the 12th of September... Plenty of time to advise the group / coaches and players you have worked with over the past couple of years...

I understand his reasons for leaving, like I have understood Davis / Bock / Armstrong and Marics. It really pissed me off how he kept negotiating with the club for almost 2 weeks when he knew he wanted out....

For what its worth I am a big fan of booing any player who has left our club and plays against us... Footy isn't about being rational, its about being passionate and hating every other player except those that are from the Adelaide Crows.

 

[FR0GGY]

Did Armstrong or Maric go to the best and fairest?

 

[Slippery Pete]

^^^
Salient.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Or he could have been a man and told the group and coaches after the season.... The Crows season ended on 29th August and the Crows B&F was on the 12th of September... Plenty of time to advise the group / coaches and players you have worked with over the past couple of years...

Told them what exactly?

I'm leaving.

Why?

Err... umm... ok, here goes: Please buy these lies because of course I'm not going to tell you the truth.

Would that really have elevated Gunston's reputation in the mind of anyone or made it any easier to take?

Oh well. He's leaving but at least he looked us in the eye and spun some shit.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Did Armstrong or Maric go to the best and fairest?

Maric definitely did. Good chance for everyone to wish him luck for his time at Coburg. He's been part of the club for a long time but I'm sure he will hold memories of the Port Magpies close to his heart.

 

[WALL-e]

This thread is changing me, I'm gonna leave

 

[Wood_Duck]

This thread is changing me, I'm gonna leave

I dont like what Im becoming.

 

[Wood_Duck]

In fairness Carl there is a massive area of middle ground between what you have suggested above and what actually took place. Do you not concede at all that Jack could have handled the situation a little better?

These things are never easy and Im sure there really is no right way to tell a club you are leaving, but to string them along for weeks negotiating a contract and then walk out with a few hours notice would seem more wrong than right.

 

[jenny61_99]

A bit of a contradiction with Sloane there Jenny?

Sloane isn't Captain or Vice or Deputy Vice. He's in the leadership group. I believe I said that's where I'd have put Davis.

 

[Allefgib]

Does anyone actually disagree with the article Carl quoted where Sando said its the AFC's problem to resolve by making it a place that players don't want to leave?

Sure Jack showed a lack of class and was very 'flighty', obviously had issues weighing up what he wanted to do. His end decisions reflect poorly on him.

But that's a 19yo kid who is now outside our 'circle of concern'.

What is inside our circle of concern, and possibly our circle of influence, are the underlying issues of the AFC performance and environment/culture.

Again does anyone disagree with that?

That's where our thoughts should be focussed. Continuing to just lump it all on Gunston is not going to achieve anything other than perpetuating a view that everything is rosy down at the club. A very dangerous view even if it is true...

 

[Wood_Duck]

^^^
Of course you are right Allefgib. I dont think anyone disputes what you and Carl are saying.

There are 2 separate issues.
The first is Gunstons behaviour, the second is the club itself.

Both of these issues contributed to him leaving it wasnt one or the other.

 

[Allefgib]

and which one do we need to focus on fixing?

jack's gone.

Let's hope no one else with his talent ever goes the same way.

Best way to ensure that is to focus on fixing any underlying issues at the club - not heaping shit on someone who we may feel to greater or lesser degrees has let the club down.

Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna boo him