The Jamarra Thread

[BigFloppa]

I still think we try to ship him off at the end of the year. We won't get anything for him, but it does free up more cash

 

[Angak]

You must work in the media with all those guesses and assumptions

It’s easy to bury your head in the sand and act like it’s all hunky-dory, but I’m not here to sugarcoat or be subservient to some fairytale narrative. If anything, I’m calling it as I see it... uncomfortable or not.

 

[Doggy]

It’s easy to bury your head in the sand and act like it’s all hunky-dory, but I’m not here to sugarcoat or be subservient to some fairytale narrative. If anything, I’m calling it as I see it... uncomfortable or not.

So someone who doesn't think we should just ship him off for peanuts has their head in the sand. Righto.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

For what it’s worth, this was the discussion around Marra at the top of the show on Agenda Setters:

Caro said Marra went back to Warrnambool due to the death of an elder. There are concerns about him getting into trouble again, but the club says they’re unaware of that rumour.

Kane asked if he’s being drug tested weekly. Caro said she’s not sure, but the AFL is handling it through some sort of triage process.

Story via 7 news

https://www.google.com/amp/s/7news....ving-loss-of-warrnambool-elder-c-19203249.amp

Building a program around the three ( I had to google the hosts, only to find the human ham in a can was third) of the biggest hacks and muck rakers in AFLMeida is everything wrong with how the game is covered.

It may garner clicks and outrage (yes, Im aware...) but ultimately all its going to do is drive peoples antipathy towards the game. Just as real journalism and social media has done in the political sphere. "It's all corrupt, so why should I bother!!!" - Joe Citizen.

I think we need get playing VFL ASAP to give him something to look forward to.

I think we need to stick to the timetable and training program that the club set out for him as condition of his return to the club and not let the tail wag the dog*.

Hes now into his 3rd week back at the club. If things go as planned there is a possibility that he could return to playing in as little as 3 weeks from now. If thats not something for him to work towards then I dont know what is.



*There is nothing to indicate that either party thinks otherwise.

 

[Angak]

So someone who doesn't think we should just ship him off for peanuts has their head in the sand. Righto.

I get that you're looking at it from a “what’s best for the club” perspective and that matters. But sometimes what’s best for the club isn’t what’s best for Marra. If he can’t change his environment, there’s every chance he falls back into the same traps. Unless he can show, between now and the trade period, that he’s made real changes and earned back trust internally, then a move might be in his best interest, not just the club’s.

 

[MaxiBont]

I get that you're looking at it from a “what’s best for the club” perspective and that matters. But sometimes what’s best for the club isn’t what’s best for Marra. If he can’t change his environment, there’s every chance he falls back into the same traps. Unless he can show, between now and the trade period, that he’s made real changes and earned back trust internally, then a move might be in his best interest, not just the club’s.

There’s no point speculating on any of this. There is 0 evidence to back it up and it just creates needless what ifs.

Marra said he wants to stay at the Dogs on his podcast appearance and all signs are showing the situation has been improving.

 

[Angak]

There’s no point speculating on any of this. There is 0 evidence to back it up and it just creates needless what ifs.

Marra said he wants to stay at the Dogs on his podcast appearance and all signs are showing the situation has been improving.

Ah yes, the classic “no point speculating” take on a football forum... where we literally speculate, discuss and share opinions about how things are tracking

 

[MaxiBont]

Ah yes, the classic “no point speculating” take on a football forum... where we literally speculate, discuss and share opinions about how things are tracking

There’s obviously a difference between speculating on football and speculating on a players personal environment and friends.

 

[BigFloppa]

There’s no point speculating on any of this. There is 0 evidence to back it up and it just creates needless what ifs.

Marra said he wants to stay at the Dogs on his podcast appearance and all signs are showing the situation has been improving.

What Marra wants isn't necessarily what the club wants. Stringer wanted to stay at the Dogs too. It's going to take an immense effort from Marra to win back the trust - not saying he can't do it but he's got a huge task ahead of him.

 

[MaxiBont]

What Marra wants isn't necessarily what the club wants. Stringer wanted to stay at the Dogs too. It's going to take an immense effort from Marra to win back the trust - not saying he can't do it but he's got a huge task ahead of him.

I completely understand this, just saying I don’t think there’s a point in speculating and making assumptions on his personal situation.

 

[Doggy]

What Marra wants isn't necessarily what the club wants. Stringer wanted to stay at the Dogs too. It's going to take an immense effort from Marra to win back the trust - not saying he can't do it but he's got a huge task ahead of him.

Then let him actually do it instead of this "need to ship him off" bullshit. He needs to be afforded the chance to actually do what he has said he wants to and needs to do without being jumped all over constantly.

 

[Angak]

Then let him actually do it instead of this "need to ship him off" bullshit. He needs to be afforded the chance to actually do what he has said he wants to and needs to do without being jumped all over constantly.

We’re not the ones making the decision, so relax it’s not a fan vote on whether Marra stays or goes. What people are saying, including me, is that if there’s no significant shift in behaviour or environment, he’ll likely be moved on. That’s a fair discussion to have. I get that some people can’t handle opinions that don’t align with theirs, but this is a forum, not an echo chamber. You’re going to read stuff you don’t like. That’s how it works.

 

[Doggy]

We’re not the ones making the decision, so relax it’s not a fan vote on whether Marra stays or goes. What people are saying, including me, is that if there’s no shift in behaviour or environment, he’ll likely be moved on. That’s a fair discussion to have. I get that some people can’t handle opinions that don’t align with theirs, but this is a forum, not an echo chamber. You’re going to read stuff you don’t like. That’s how it works.

You literally stated above that those who don't agree with you have their head in the sand. So might want to take your own advice.

 

[Angak]

You literally stated above that those who don't agree with you have their head in the sand. So might want to take your own advice.

Me saying you’ve got your head in the sand isn’t me saying you can’t have that opinion or shouldn’t share it. It’s me saying why I think your wrong, and explaining why. That’s part of a discussion. Saying someone shouldn’t be talking about something at all is an entirely different thing.

 

[immortalmike]

In the pre-match presser vs Richmond, roughly three days after Marra’s return to the club, Bevo said, "If any of our resources are spread too thin and they can't spend time with everybody, it can compromise things. You almost have to blend in, and if there's signs it's not working, we need to work it out."

That quote feels pointed... and as much as the club and all of us want it to work out for Marra, if it’s compromising the team too much, I think the club will be forced to make some tough decisions at season’s end.

With that in mind, throughout this season there have been multiple reports from various publications stating that no Victorian club will pursue Marra... and there’s a reason for that. They believe, like a lot of us do, that his environment is one of the primary drivers behind many of the issues that have surfaced in recent times. Even Geelong, who were heavily tipped to go after him early in the season have privately ruled it out. The idea of him living an hour closer to Warrnambool, in my opinion, is a recipe for disaster. I think Geelong came to that same conclusion.

Marra is very open about what he gets up to on social media. He’s still spending time with many of the same people he was around before the wellness facility stint. Just this weekend, he shared a photo of himself and one of his mates inside a club. Maybe he’s one of those rare characters who isn’t influenced by his friendship circle and can change his behaviour while still engaging with the same people who contributed to it, but I suspect that’s not the case.

I also suspect his career trajectory, in the best case scenario, mirrors someone like Jesse Hogan’s. And for Hogan, it wasn’t until he left Victoria and was at his third club that things started to turn around.

So vibes...fair enough.

I'd rather back the kid in.

 

[Angak]

And just for the record, I don’t think there was anyone more excited than I was to see a tall Indigenous key forward playing for our club. In my lifetime, I can’t remember us having many quality Indigenous players come through, and some have even knocked back the chance to join us, partly because of our poor track record in developing and nurturing Indigenous talent. That’s always made me sad. So when Marra came in, I was genuinely excited and I think a lot of people at the club felt the same.


That’s why it’s tough to say, but I just don’t think it’s realistic. I’d love nothing more than for it to work out and I really hope I’m wrong. But I’d rather be honest about where I see things are heading than bury my head in the sand and hope it all magically turns around.

 

[Angak]

So vibes...fair enough.

I'd rather back the kid in.

That’s fine. I’m sharing my opinion, and you’re entitled to yours. I just would have preferred a coherent argument about why you think I’m wrong, rather than the old “I’d rather back the kid in” vibes. Noble sentiment, sure, but not exactly a convincing argument.

 

[Doggy]

That’s fine. I’m sharing my opinion, and you’re entitled to yours. I just would have preferred a coherent argument about why you think I’m wrong, rather than the old “I’d rather back the kid in” vibes. Noble sentiment, sure, but not exactly a convincing argument.

Your argument is based on vibes. Why can't he back Jamarra in?

 

[Angak]

Your argument is based on vibes. Why can't he back Jamarra in?

When he plays his first VFL game, or if he ever pulls on a Bulldogs jumper again, I’ll be right there cheering him on, no doubt. But reading the tea leaves and where things seem to be heading, I just don’t think it’s realistic. That’s my view, and I’ve said many times, I hope I’m wrong.

 

[BigFloppa]

Then let him actually do it instead of this "need to ship him off" bullshit. He needs to be afforded the chance to actually do what he has said he wants to and needs to do without being jumped all over constantly.

He's got an opportunity this year to prove to the club why they shouldn't ship him off. But I just don't think its likely that he will succeed.

 

[Doggy]

He's got an opportunity this year to prove to the club why they shouldn't ship him off. But I just don't think its likely that he will succeed.

Another vibe argument. Wouldn't have expected that one from you Scrag

 

[MYOB]

And just for the record, I don’t think there was anyone more excited than I was to see a tall Indigenous key forward playing for our club. In my lifetime, I can’t remember us having many quality Indigenous players come through, and some have even knocked back the chance to join us, partly because of our poor track record in developing and nurturing Indigenous talent. That’s always made me sad. So when Marra came in, I was genuinely excited and I think a lot of people at the club felt the same.

Which indigenous players have knocked back the chance to join us because of our poor track record in developing and nurturing Indigenous talent.

 

[Doggy]

Which indigenous players have knocked back the chance to join us because of our poor track record in developing and nurturing Indigenous talent.

He will be referring to Jack Martin and Chad Wingard.

Big losses those two

 

[Angak]

Which indigenous players have knocked back the chance to join us because of our poor track record in developing and nurturing Indigenous talent.

Chad Wingard.

 

[Jon#]

Society can only move as fast as the slowest person.

An idea often used in Eugenics based on the Buffalo Herd theory where natural selection culls out the slowest movers creating a stronger more resilient herd. Become stronger by culling out the weaker.
Not sure how that fits here.