Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025

[Scorpus]

Rumour Summary October 1st

• Adelaide expects a decision from Christian Petracca
  5

  Christian Petracca

  Age

  29

  Ht

  187cm

  Wt

  94kg

  Pos.

  M/F

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  19.4

  5star

  K

  9.5

  4star

  HB

  9.8

  5star

  M

  3.5

  4star

  T

  3.0

  5star

  CL

  2.5

  4star

  D

  24.4

  5star

  K

  10.4

  4star

  HB

  14.0

  5star

  M

  3.5

  3star

  T

  3.6

  4star

  CL

  3.4

  4star

  D

  19.0

  5star

  K

  7.8

  3star

  HB

  11.2

  5star

  M

  3.0

  3star

  T

  3.8

  5star

  CL

  2.0

  4star

  by Saturday, according to a poster (link)
• Christian Petracca's decision between Adelaide and Gold Coast is a 50/50, according to Tom Morris (link)
• Taylor Walker will sign a one-year contract extension, according to Josh Money (link)
• Adelaide have been working on the Petracca trade for months, compared to Gold Coast who have joined the race more recently, according to a poster (link)
• Christian Petracca is meeting with Gold Coast in person (link)

Rumour Summary October 2nd

• Melbourne are open to trading Clayton Oliver
  13

  Clayton Oliver

  Age

  28

  Ht

  189cm

  Wt

  88kg

  Pos.

  Mid

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  27.8

  5star

  K

  9.5

  4star

  HB

  18.4

  5star

  M

  3.2

  3star

  T

  6.3

  5star

  CL

  6.3

  5star

  D

  25.1

  5star

  K

  11.1

  4star

  HB

  14.0

  5star

  M

  3.6

  4star

  T

  5.6

  5star

  CL

  5.9

  5star

  D

  19.2

  5star

  K

  4.6

  2star

  HB

  14.6

  5star

  M

  2.0

  3star

  T

  4.4

  5star

  CL

  3.8

  5star

  , according to Sam Edmund (link)
• Clayton Oliver expects to be told to explore his trade options, according to Tom Morris (link)

 

[1970crow]

Could Mitch Hinge be a potential part of a trade? The Demons have a need when McVee goes to Freo. Plus it feels like hes in a logjam of players at HBF for us.

He's been great for us, but I dont think hes pivotal to our future success.

He’s the only one of our small/medium defenders that takes the game on by foot and can defend an opponent. But he wouldn’t be a huge loss, but neither would Laird or Milera.

 

[bettingonbetts]

He’s the only one of our small/medium defenders that takes the game on by foot and can defend an opponent. But he wouldn’t be a huge loss, but neither would Laird or Milera.

Milera would be a huge loss, just shows how underrated his ‘25 season was

 

[ams4crows]

21K views · 157 reactions | GET ON TRAC - the official campaign to get Petracca to the Crows Sign here the petition here: https://chng.it/kNCByGfLrZ Crows fans, head to your happy place… #afl #adelaidecrows #afc #petracca #tradenews #footymemes #mem

GET ON TRAC - the official campaign to get Petracca to the Crows Sign here the petition here: https://chng.it/kNCByGfLrZ Crows fans, head to your happy place… #afl #adelaidecrows #afc #petracca...

www.facebook.com

Ok someone has a lot of time on their hands

 

[mickfaxis]

No he hasnt.

He has played some really good games and some shockers. Watch the last two minutes of the kings birthday game and St Kilda one where he completely loses all his composure in the heat of the moment and butchers opportunities to win those games off his own boot.

No doubt Trac had a good year and there was certainly a surprise amongst fans he finished 2nd in our best and fairest ahead of Bowey but best and fairest are usually funny anyhow.

The days of him tearing game apart were certainly not there anyhow. When I think of those games my mind takes me back to 2021-2023 where I felt that was his peak.

He still has plenty of good footy ahead of him and perhaps a fresh start may do him good but I think you could tell there were signs this year where he was a step behind the play and especially the glaring part was him pulling out of contests because of the fear of his previous injury.

I think for both parties its best to part ways. You still get a good player who will add to your midfield stocks.

You're not the first Melbourne fan to say this. I've spoken to 3 Dees fans over the last 2 weeks and they're all very happy to see the back of Trac. Too soft. Can't kick. Burns the ball. Misses too many shots at goal. Selfish. That's what I'm hearing. Yet, strangely the Demons are wanting top 10 picks for him and our best small forward in a trade.

Of course Trac is not the player he was in 2021. Melbourne rely on him far too much these days as the likes of Oliver and "3 votes Jack" fall swiftly off a cliff, and the young crop coming through hasn't delivered. He's still in the best 20 - 30 players in the comp though and his best and fairest and Brownlow result backs that up.

At Adelaide he won't immediately be expected to be the best player in the team, there won't be that underlying Melbourne and Petracca don't like each other issue that's plagued him and the club the last 18 months, and the pressure will be off somewhat. This is where I believe we'll see an uptick in performance and 3-4 years of elite Trac footy.

I agree though. It's best for both parties. Long term for Melbourne it's the best thing to do.

 

[Redline]

Could Mitch Hinge be a potential part of a trade? The Demons have a need when McVee goes to Freo. Plus it feels like hes in a logjam of players at HBF for us.

He's been great for us, but I dont think hes pivotal to our future success.

Probably not enough value for Hinge but he should be on the trade table. My guess is there will be a 3rd club involved

 

[bigman]

Probs late with this but Tom Morris said Suns are looking the more likely landing spot.

 

[Mostyn]

Probs late with this but Tom Morris said Suns are looking the more likely landing spot.

Tom is saying the outcome that would best suit Melbourne - but it's hard to see how GCS get all their deals done, plus have enough doubts for two top four players.

If they get bids at three and four - and I hope West Coasts bids even earlier - they're going to need pick six plus their later firsts to get enough points together.

I guess it depends what they get for players being traded out as well.

 

[bigman]

Tom is saying the outcome that would best suit Melbourne - but it's hard to see how GCS get all their deals done, plus have enough doubts for two top four players.

He did say he was leaning toward the suns and this has been the case for a bit now.

Sometimes it’s more between the lines than the lines themselves.

The caveat is that Morris is a big Dees fan so is likely being fed info by them to push for the suns angle. But I think he knows more than he’s letting on.

 

[daniel_4tw]

Probs late with this but Tom Morris said Suns are looking the more likely landing spot.

Do you have a source? What I saw Tom report on in the trades board was it was Melbourne’s preference Petracca went to Gold Coast. Not really the same thing.

 

[Cromulant]

The Suns have had to force out players on salary dumps, and you'd have think if they want Elliot and JUH they wouldnt have a huge amount of cash to pay any significant portion of Petraccas salary.

We have less picks to play with, but I imagine more cap flexibility (stab in the dark there I would admit).

Interesting times.

 

[BenJman]

Tom is saying the outcome that would best suit Melbourne - but it's hard to see how GCS get all their deals done, plus have enough doubts for two top four players.

If Flanders picks the Saints I would think it would make it harder for GC and Melbourne. Also I would think it's Tracs decision rather than Melbourne's

 

[Mutineer]

It will be more than that but there is no way I would be putting next year's first on the table. That's the one Melbourne will want because the draft is stronger and I think most clubs would have us dropping down the ladder in 2026.

Alot will come down to what the salary arrangements are. I would think we have enough space to take it on, not lose anyone and still have a go at Zac Bailey and others but who knows.

Might pay to hold off on next year's draft talk until we see the soon to be announced Tassie Devils AFL introduction deal?

 

[Cromulant]

He did say he was leaning toward the suns and this has been the case for a bit now.

Sometimes it’s more between the lines than the lines themselves.

The caveat is that Morris is a big Dees fan so is likely being fed info by them to push for the suns angle. But I think he knows more than he’s letting on.

Tom hasnt been tactful for much of his time in the media, if he knows something he'd likely say it.

 

[bigman]

Do you have a source? What I saw Tom report on in the trades board was it was Melbourne’s preference Petracca went to Gold Coast. Not really the same thing.

It was his first segment on trade radio.
I’m sure it’ll be uploaded soon if not already.

He said a lot of things so it’s easy for the lead to get buried, but if you have a listen it seems rather clear that he thinks the Suns are more likely - and not just because Melbourne want him there.

Interesting to note he also said Trac’s wife had never been to Adelaide. I found that surprising given he’s done work with tourism SA.

 

[bigman]

Hird asked him as it stands which way he would lean and Morris said the suns.

 

[Syd Crow]

Lyons was behind a few because of poor selection though. We drafted Peds knowing it would take a couple of years for him to build a tank, but the fact we havent seen him or Rash in the midfield at all, despite both of them having decent stints in 2023, is another example of poor selection and game day management.

Imagine drafting two first round forward/mids and not playing either at any stage in a midfield that screams out for some x factor.

Unfortunately we don't have to imagine. But everything is fine and going to plan, apparently.

 

[Cromulant]

Hird asked him as it stands which way he would lean and Morris said the suns.

Im sure Melbourne would prefer that.

 

[Mutineer]

The Suns have had to force out players on salary dumps, and you'd have think if they want Elliot and JUH they wouldnt have a huge amount of cash to pay any significant portion of Petraccas salary.

We have less picks to play with, but I imagine more cap flexibility (stab in the dark there I would admit).

Interesting times.

Strange the Gold Coast's interest in JUH unless they think Ben King is on his bike when he becomes a RFA next year. Jed Walter looks a gun in waiting, Ethan Read also.

 

[bettingonbetts]

Melb want GC to join the race because they want Flanders or Humphrey.
Neither is happening. Flanders will nominate Saints and Humphery would be off the trade table for Trac unless GC are complete dumbasses

 

[Slim258]

Hird asked him as it stands which way he would lean and Morris said the suns.

Yeah, i interpreted that as they're more likely to satisfy a trade therefore player preference aside, that is where he would go if Melbourne had the choice

 

[bigman]

Im sure Melbourne would prefer that.

Oh absolutely.

I’m just saying that Morris has been the most firm of any journos on Petracca going north.

FWIW I don’t think the Flanders thing has much if any impact. If he chooses saints, which seems likely, it clearly doesn’t. But even if he’s Dees bound, it doesn’t mean Trac has to go there. They could easily use our pick to get Flanders - in fact a haul of Flanders + 2026 first looks pretty good.

 

[Redline]

Strange the Gold Coast's interest in JUH unless they think Ben King is on his bike when he becomes a RFA next year. Jed Walter looks a gun in waiting, Ethan Read also.

It is really strange. They are one of the few clubs that don't need the risk with their forward line

Likewise I don't know why they are interested in Petracca especially if it creates salary cap issues for them. They have so much talent with more on the way. If they are after experience then there are a heap of cheaper options who are probably better leaders.

 

[CromradeCromulent]

Why has Tom Morris consistently been stating Gold Coast are in front when everyone else has been saying we are? Very sus tbh.

 

[PeterSalt]

It is really strange. They are one of the few clubs that don't need the risk with their forward line

Likewise I don't know why they are interested in Petracca especially if it creates salary cap issues for them. They have so much talent with more on the way. If they are after experience then there are a heap of cheaper options who are probably better leaders.

Hardwick has a massive performance bonus included in his contract to be paid by the AFL when (if) GC win their first premiership. We are talking $M's











* I made this up

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Wasnt aware Stevens was out of contract, is it a red flag alone that he is uncontracted especially when his stats/performances look solid?