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)

 

[FR0GGY]

That would be double dipping on his original contract, surely you'd only give an agent a % on any extra they were able to negotiate.

Yeah not sure how that works. It was his decision to fire the previous manager.
You buy food and dont like it so you throw it in the bin. You lose out.

 

[Betts are off]

Jeepers, not this again, Butts is NOT a restricted free agent, he will be an unrestricted free agent. The below players do not make up 3 of our highest 10 paid players. Footwire lists all 8 or 9 year out of contracte players as restricted restricted until the AFL releases the actual list in the relevant season. When the list is published by the AFL, not a single one of the below will be a restricted free agent.


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Ok, I didn't know that. Was just going off what his contract status said on Footywire. So I assume that just means we can't match a deal and force a trade, but would still be entitled to a FA compensation.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Good decision ....but as depth only

Much the same as Goldstein's intended list spot at ESS .....

 

[FR0GGY]

Following up on this.

We had made a compelling pitch to NAS which almost won him over.

In August St Kilda saw the writing on the wall and increased their offer to the reported $2m per season. This was extra $1.2m on top of their previous best offer.

If the three clubs, our salary is package was the smallest, and NAS would have been leaving about $1.6m on the table if he had decided to move this off-season.

So we almost won him over despite a lower package than port?

 

[Peter Doherty]

You can

But actions speaks louder than words

I will back a club tour over a phone call every day

I can assure you if he had toured GC and had a phone call with Adelaide, the narrative here would be we are not his preferred option.

 

[Trigger13]

I’d love to see Tex play a game at halfback.


Silly season is in full swing.

 

[Crouch]

The thing I don't understand is, doesn't Gold Coast have salary cap issues? How could they afford Trac? Imo I think the Vic media are just trying to steer him away from us, or make us pay up.

 

[UcantCme]

I can assure you if he had toured GC and had a phone call with Adelaide, the narrative here would be we are not his preferred option.

My narrative would be that he is favouring the club where he has toured and had a medical

 

[Betts are off]

I would have been more surprised if he didn't go around 1 more year TBH.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Following up on this.

We had made a compelling pitch to NAS which almost won him over.

In August St Kilda saw the writing on the wall and increased their offer to the reported $2m per season. This was extra $1.2m on top of their previous best offer.

If the three clubs, our salary is package was the smallest, and NAS would have been leaving about $1.6m on the table if he had decided to move this off-season.

Clarifying ....we had the largest & best offer on the table, 6 months out from the end of the season

Other offers, continued to leap-frog each other, until it got to a STUPID level that it now is .....and our offer went from the largest to the smallest

It begs the question ....was NWM's form in a half a season, his real level .....or is his 1st half of the season the norm ?

 

[1970crow]

Wow people in here panic - stick to the facts and conspiracy theories

Facts are

• Petracca has toured Adelaide facilities, met the coach and had a medical
• Petracca doesn’t need a tour of the city - already knows Adelaide well with his work with Tourism SA
• Petrecca Manager stayed an extra day, working through trade scenario and contract details
• the next day Petrecca advises his wish to leave Melbourne FC

Gold Coast

• are the new Carlton, being linked to every available player - Curnow, Elliott, Petrecca and JUH
• Petrecca has not toured GC club
• GC has prioritised a JUH visit before Petrecca
• Flanders likely to request a trade to Essendon or St Kilda - dents the theory of more trade capital

Then there is the other considerations

• Petrecca manager has strong relationships at Adelaide and despite the dooms day thinking, still loves the club and city of Adelaide
• we know player relationships are important in trade destination decisions, ANB is a factor
• Petrecca Brand has history in working with Tourism SA
• Adelaide can accomodate the existing contract terms and salary

Adelaide is more likely than GC

• Petracca doesn’t need a tour of the city - already knows Adelaide well with his work with Tourism SA

But Mrs Petracca does, she hasn't been to Adelaide.

• Petrecca Manager stayed an extra day, working through trade scenario and contract detail

Or stayed to catch up with some best friends that she hasn't seen in a while. She did live here for numerous years.

• the next day Petrecca advises his wish to leave Melbourne FC

No, Petracca had already discussed with Melbourne a desire to leave and Melbourne had provided a green light to explore his options. The fact that his Adelaide visit became public knowledge necessitated Melbourne FC advising their members/supporters formally of what is going on.

• are the new Carlton, being linked to every available player - Curnow, Elliott, Petrecca and JUH

Irrelevant

• Petrecca has not toured GC club

1. You don't know this to be true and 2. even if it is, due to Petracca's partner not needing to have a look at the landscape up there, it could be totally irrelevant.

• GC has prioritised a JUH visit before Petrecca

Again, you don't this to be true, it's likely as simple as Petracca not needing to tour the facilities as he didn't feel the need to check out the Gold Coast as a potential city to live in. Also, JUH is a totally separate situation and why he's up there.

• Petrecca manager has strong relationships at Adelaide and despite the dooms day thinking, still loves the club and city of Adelaide

Irrelevant

• we know player relationships are important in trade destination decisions, ANB is a factor

We don't know what ANB is telling Petracca, he might be saying everything is great, but he also might be saying our midfield strategy is a shambles. He's not going to lie to his mate if he's being asked advice.

• Petrecca Brand has history in working with Tourism SA

And wouldn't he love to expand his brand into an entirely new market.

• Adelaide can accomodate the existing contract terms and salary

This is probably the only potentially relevant factor that you posted.

 

[Mutineer]

• Petracca doesn’t need a tour of the city - already knows Adelaide well with his work with Tourism SA

But Mrs Petracca does, she hasn't been to Adelaide.

• Petrecca Manager stayed an extra day, working through trade scenario and contract detail

Or stayed to catch up with some best friends that she hasn't seen in a while. She did live here for numerous years.

• the next day Petrecca advises his wish to leave Melbourne FC

No, Petracca had already discussed with Melbourne a desire to leave and Melbourne had provided a green light to explore his options. The fact that his Adelaide visit became public knowledge necessitated Melbourne FC advising their members/supporters formally of what is going on.

• are the new Carlton, being linked to every available player - Curnow, Elliott, Petrecca and JUH

Irrelevant

• Petrecca has not toured GC club

1. You don't know this to be true and 2. even if it is, due to Petracca's partner not needing to have a look at the landscape up there, it could be totally irrelevant.

• GC has prioritised a JUH visit before Petrecca

Again, you don't this to be true, it's likely as simple as Petracca not needing to tour the facilities as he didn't feel the need to check out the Gold Coast as a potential city to live in. Also, JUH is a totally separate situation and why he's up there.

• Petrecca manager has strong relationships at Adelaide and despite the dooms day thinking, still loves the club and city of Adelaide

Irrelevant

• we know player relationships are important in trade destination decisions, ANB is a factor

We don't know what ANB is telling Petracca, he might be saying everything is great, but he also might be saying our midfield strategy is a shambles. He's not going to lie to his mate if he's being asked advice.

• Petrecca Brand has history in working with Tourism SA

And wouldn't he love to expand his brand into an entirely new market.

• Adelaide can accomodate the existing contract terms and salary

This is probably the only potentially relevant factor that you posted.

You really do love pissing on the fire don't you?

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

The biggest issue here is that barring a trip or two to Perth, Nicks will play him every game he's fit. It's nice to theorise that he'll be rested throughout the year, but we all know that won't happen, and it'll be to his and our detriment.

 

[Slim258]

The biggest issue here is that barring a trip or two to Perth, Nicks will play him every game he's fit. It's nice to theorise that he'll be rested throughout the year, but we all know that won't happen, and it'll be to his and our detriment.

Agreed, he has been incredible to the club but his time has passed.
This has an impact on Fogarty and TT's development plus game plan.
Wrong call by the club here

 

[pjcrows]

The thing I don't understand is, doesn't Gold Coast have salary cap issues? How could they afford Trac? Imo I think the Vic media are just trying to steer him away from us, or make us pay up.

Gold Coast do whatever they want really. AFL can manipulate.

 

[ABAB]

• Petracca doesn’t need a tour of the city - already knows Adelaide well with his work with Tourism SA

But Mrs Petracca does, she hasn't been to Adelaide.

• Petrecca Manager stayed an extra day, working through trade scenario and contract detail

Or stayed to catch up with some best friends that she hasn't seen in a while. She did live here for numerous years.

• the next day Petrecca advises his wish to leave Melbourne FC

No, Petracca had already discussed with Melbourne a desire to leave and Melbourne had provided a green light to explore his options. The fact that his Adelaide visit became public knowledge necessitated Melbourne FC advising their members/supporters formally of what is going on.

• are the new Carlton, being linked to every available player - Curnow, Elliott, Petrecca and JUH

Irrelevant

• Petrecca has not toured GC club

1. You don't know this to be true and 2. even if it is, due to Petracca's partner not needing to have a look at the landscape up there, it could be totally irrelevant.

• GC has prioritised a JUH visit before Petrecca

Again, you don't this to be true, it's likely as simple as Petracca not needing to tour the facilities as he didn't feel the need to check out the Gold Coast as a potential city to live in. Also, JUH is a totally separate situation and why he's up there.

• Petrecca manager has strong relationships at Adelaide and despite the dooms day thinking, still loves the club and city of Adelaide

Irrelevant

• we know player relationships are important in trade destination decisions, ANB is a factor

We don't know what ANB is telling Petracca, he might be saying everything is great, but he also might be saying our midfield strategy is a shambles. He's not going to lie to his mate if he's being asked advice.

• Petrecca Brand has history in working with Tourism SA

And wouldn't he love to expand his brand into an entirely new market.

• Adelaide can accomodate the existing contract terms and salary

This is probably the only potentially relevant factor that you posted.

It's been reported Melbourne was happy for him to explore his option a while back but yesterday was when he official told them he want to leave???

 

[Eagleboy2011]

The thing I don't understand is, doesn't Gold Coast have salary cap issues? How could they afford Trac? Imo I think the Vic media are just trying to steer him away from us, or make us pay up.

I can't understand how St Kilda is doing all its business as well.

 

[Slim258]

It's been reported Melbourne was happy for him to explore his option a while back but yesterday was when he official told them he want to leave???

Pretty sure the discussion with the club was last week, just confirmed by MFC yesterday that the discussion had happened not that he told the club yesterday

 

[1970crow]

I guess we find out in the next couple of days if the Suns are a serious prospect for him, there’s no way he’s requesting a trade to a club without a tour of the facilities and meeting a few staff/players. Chats with the coach on the phone is just lip service, it would be surprising if a player of his caliber is making a decision on just that alone.

I wouldn't be that surprised that either he doesn't need a tour of the facilities, the shape and performance of the Suns and them being coached by Dimma is probably enough to suggest he'll be ok. There was also Brownlow and GF week in Melbourne, so he's just likely to have caught up in person with a crew of Suns players and key footy dept personnel. I mean, our facilities aren't even built, he can get a similar feel of Suns from a well put together video.

I agree 100% that we're in strong contention because there's footage of him coming here and we know we presented to him. I just don't agree that because we haven't seen footage of him doing that at Suns, or that he hasn't done it, means that they aren't in genuine contention too. My gut feel is that it's going to come down to the contract and who's most likely to satisfy Melbourne, and despite the blind hope of a few around here, they're not firesaling him.

All that said, you could be right and the only reason they came to Adelaide was that he's made his decision and his partner said, "not until I check the place out Luv". And he then took the opportunity to tour the facilities and catch up with key AFC people while the missus met a few people and toured around with his agent. It's a great time of year, I don't know why we get so wound up in the wins and losses.

 

[fuic08]

The biggest issue here is that barring a trip or two to Perth, Nicks will play him every game he's fit. It's nice to theorise that he'll be rested throughout the year, but we all know that won't happen, and it'll be to his and our detriment.

The opposition just walk the ball out of defence through Walker's man because he can't keep up. Huge liability when we lose possession in our forward line.

 

[FR0GGY]

I can assure you if he had toured GC and had a phone call with Adelaide, the narrative here would be we are not his preferred option.

As it should be

 

[1970crow]

Good decision ....but as depth only

Much the same as Goldstein's intended list spot at ESS .....

He won't be depth, he'll be in our round 1 side controlling the forward line. If you think he's going to be playing in the SANFL, then I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[Danger in Texas]

• Petracca doesn’t need a tour of the city - already knows Adelaide well with his work with Tourism SA

But Mrs Petracca does, she hasn't been to Adelaide.

• Petrecca Manager stayed an extra day, working through trade scenario and contract detail

Or stayed to catch up with some best friends that she hasn't seen in a while. She did live here for numerous years.

• the next day Petrecca advises his wish to leave Melbourne FC

No, Petracca had already discussed with Melbourne a desire to leave and Melbourne had provided a green light to explore his options. The fact that his Adelaide visit became public knowledge necessitated Melbourne FC advising their members/supporters formally of what is going on.

• are the new Carlton, being linked to every available player - Curnow, Elliott, Petrecca and JUH

Irrelevant

• Petrecca has not toured GC club

1. You don't know this to be true and 2. even if it is, due to Petracca's partner not needing to have a look at the landscape up there, it could be totally irrelevant.

• GC has prioritised a JUH visit before Petrecca

Again, you don't this to be true, it's likely as simple as Petracca not needing to tour the facilities as he didn't feel the need to check out the Gold Coast as a potential city to live in. Also, JUH is a totally separate situation and why he's up there.

• Petrecca manager has strong relationships at Adelaide and despite the dooms day thinking, still loves the club and city of Adelaide

Irrelevant

• we know player relationships are important in trade destination decisions, ANB is a factor

We don't know what ANB is telling Petracca, he might be saying everything is great, but he also might be saying our midfield strategy is a shambles. He's not going to lie to his mate if he's being asked advice.

• Petrecca Brand has history in working with Tourism SA

And wouldn't he love to expand his brand into an entirely new market.

• Adelaide can accomodate the existing contract terms and salary

This is probably the only potentially relevant factor that you posted.

Ugh

 

[Trigger13]

Optimistic view:

If Gunston can have the year he had, so can Tex. Tex was far from a spent force in one of the highest scoring teams.

 

[Thrillthorpe7]

Hopefully we can get a flag for you next year Tex! If there’s ever a Crows player that deserves one, it’s absolutely you. Will be great to see him pass the 700 goal milestone too.