Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025 - Part 2

[LoBu]

Yeah, because Cal Thomey has a really vested interest in making us look good...

Imagine being so negative you actively dismiss any news that goes against your doom and gloom narrative as propaganda.

There's a few ways to take this, but those who are ultra critical of the rebuild and club will be negative, while the majority who are generally positive of the rebuild and club will take this with on face value that we didn't want to pay the price.
The ultra positive fans will take it as that we have another/ better player we prefer!

 

[jackster83]

Petracca going to GC might push out some of their second string mids, who will get less gametime with him in the side.

Humphrey, Davies, Graham, Rogers.

 

[Scorpus]

You forget that he didn't tell Melbourne he wanted out until after he'd visited us. He visited us on the basis that Melbourne were happy for him to "explore options". Im not naive enough to think this all came out of the blue, but its not a stretch to think that we were approached by his management with an expression of interest, had him over here for both parties to do due diligence, then when he expressed he might be keen, we've gone to Melbourne to talk deal. Then, having come away from that with knowledge of what was going to get it done, had a list management meeting and gone "yeah, nah".

That seems pretty unlikely. You're suggesting a very linear process where we only gather crucial information after the fact.

When Melbourne said they were happy for Petracca to "explore his options" this was just to update the membership on what was already happening. These discussions have already been happening for weeks.

Petracca, his manager and both clubs would be well aware of all aspects to the deal. They aren't going to bother meeting him only to find out the trade requirements later. The documentary on player movement made it quite clear that the player agents seem to drive everything including the possible trade deal itself and this is presented to everyone well in advance.

Or, told Christian we were prepared to negotiate with Melbourne but it was going to be tough and we might not be able to make a deal work, and Christian has gone well I really want to go and GC can make the deal happen, so I will go there.

That's hardly us walking away. That's Petracca making a call and forcing our hand

 

[SugarShane]

Been saying all along it wasn't gonna happen. Can't believe how many got sucked into believing it was happening.

 

[adelaidecrows]

There's a few ways to take this, but those who are ultra critical of the rebuild and club will be negative, while the majority who are generally positive of the rebuild and club will take this with on face value that we didn't want to pay the price.
The ultra positive fans will take it as that we have another/ better player we prefer!

I think its just logical the Crows legit pulled out because Melbourne are being stupid. Dont need to be positive or negative. The negative brigade are jumping the shark on this one if they want to use this as part of their narrative.

 

[Scorpus]

Did she ever come to your house with her manager to do her due diligence on you?

If she did, can I buy the video?

I reckon if Dua Lipa is at your house to explore the deal you're not walking away from the deal willingly

 

[dani_giuls]

He did roll up in his Traccy Daccs!

When I saw the clip I did wonder if it was appropriate attire for a job interview!!

 

[FNeighbourhoodSpiderman]

Breathing a sigh of relief at the Petracca decision if I'm honest

As much as the guy has been a top 5 player (top 1 or 2 in his best seasons) in the AFL - I just felt that the risk and also the opportunity cost was just a bit too much, and could have been a handicap on a list with good organic growth, and no terrible large contracts

Risks - age (will be 30 entering the season, and 33 in last year of contract - same age that Dusty retired at), injury (self explanatory - potential physical and mental/psychological impact), disposal efficiency (the season just gone was the worst of his career, and with his style of game, I don't see it getting better as he ages), and obviously the size of the contract (hamstringing us on who we can pay and bring in)

Opportunity cost - as others have said, I'd much rather have that spare cash/pay the big bucks to potentially attract a younger and/or less risky prospect like a Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

over the next few years.

Regardless of what this results in for us in the future, I like this type of decision/outcome

With our list and growth over the past few years, I feel like the smarter play is to continue develop, draft, and bring in guys like last year's and this year's free agent crops, and then jump on an expensive signing when we have more certainty (and be willing to pay BIG to get it - e.g. if we have an opportunity at a Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

type in the future - pay big cash, and be prepared to pay big capital too if required)

 

[Soggy2112]

We tried, we were up against it given the draft hand we have v GC, is what it is.

I said earlier, much more risk involved with Oliver, but potentially more upside so let’s see where that lands.

 

[feenix67]

That seems pretty unlikely. You're suggesting a very linear process where we only gather crucial information after the fact.

When Melbourne said they were happy for Petracca to "explore his options" this was just to update the membership on what was already happening. These discussions have already been happening for weeks.

Petracca, his manager and both clubs would be well aware of all aspects to the deal. They aren't going to bother meeting him only to find out the trade requirements later. The documentary on player movement made it quite clear that the player agents seem to drive everything including the possible trade deal itself and this is presented to everyone well in advance.



That's hardly us walking away. That's Petracca making a call and forcing our hand

Well aside from the fact that you're making as many assumptions as I am, you're also forgetting that GC's hand was enhanced even further by the Flanders situation, which may not have been evident at the beginning of proceedings. The Melbourne situation has also been pretty fluid, given that Oliver was told at exit he was required, then 2 weeks later told by King to find another club.

As for your take that Petracca forced our hand, a less PTSD riddled person would say that we had our buying limit and it was reached. Happens at a thousand auctions every week, and I bet all of those buyers were just as keen too.

 

[CrowinNT]

I had to google “Dua Lipa”
I’m so in the dark

 

[Scorpus]

calm down man. lots of assumptions being made to suit your narrative. The club obviously went and started conversations with Melbourne after the meeting. Why would they before?

You can't be serious.

You're saying the club went to the effort of getting this far into the process without calling Melbourne to gauge their asking price?

 

[Mutineer]

He’s going to the Saints

Is he?

Probably but like I said a contracted Flanders is a very real chip in the Suns trade arsenal to get a deal done and it's now obvious with Flanders meeting Melbourne this morning it is not out of the question. It's pretty obvious we aren't prepared to give up a proven excellent AFL player of Flander's quality.

 

[Danger in Texas]

We can trade for him this year though.

Add Bailey/Oliver/Ah Chee and we are genuine contenders.

We all know Brisbane isn’t letting him go

 

[CromradeCromulent]

Petracca “I want to play for Hardwick”

Nicks “we pull out, would cost too much”

nice fanfic

 

[StonesThrow]

Held off from commenting on this one as I didn't think it was a genuine chance.

I think he was definitely the right player for us if we think our window is only for the next couple of years. I have been wondering if this year was an outlier exacerbated by the fact that we had almost zero injuries throughout the year. Our depth was rarely tested. If we go back to normal injuries next year then I could see us in the group pushing for the top 8 rather than top 4. Giving two first rounders away in that scenario gives me Gibbs vibes.

We definitely need to be going all out for elite midfield talent (to go with midfield coaching change), but I'm not sure a 30 year old is the right choice. Wanganeen Milera would have been ideal.

 

[adelaidecrows]

That seems pretty unlikely. You're suggesting a very linear process where we only gather crucial information after the fact.

When Melbourne said they were happy for Petracca to "explore his options" this was just to update the membership on what was already happening. These discussions have already been happening for weeks.

Petracca, his manager and both clubs would be well aware of all aspects to the deal. They aren't going to bother meeting him only to find out the trade requirements later. The documentary on player movement made it quite clear that the player agents seem to drive everything including the possible trade deal itself and this is presented to everyone well in advance.



That's hardly us walking away. That's Petracca making a call and forcing our hand

All I am getting from this is you wanted us to do what it takes.

If we walked away it is likely what Melbourne wanted would have forced us out of the Ah Chee deal, cost us a place in next years draft and we could forget about any other player.

This what you want for a 30yo?

 

[1970crow]

I see most of us are at acceptance phase

The confidence and seeing relevance in the irrelevant was funny. I don’t think we’re totally out of it, but there was never any factor that should have led to being confident. If he does choose Suns, will be interesting to see what they paid, given we’re on record saying we couldn’t get there.

 

[Sizzlesilk]

High chance something in the medical returned a result we didn't want, i agree a stretch and a bold call from a new fitness boss.

But there is 1000 reasons we could've walked away and one of those quite clearly could be that we walked away when he has said his preferred destination is the suns, but happy to work with us to get a trade done if the suns falls through - are we really going to waste our trade period focusing on that when we know we can't offer as much trade capital as the suns?

His medical was super impressive.
Lean. Elite condition. Ticked every box.
This was a decision 100% based on lifestyle.
Adel did not “pull out”.

 

[adelaidecrows]

You can't be serious.

You're saying the club went to the effort of getting this far into the process without calling Melbourne to gauge their asking price?

Well the story going around the AFL is thats exactly what happened. You seem to be the only one making a big deal out of it.

 

[Shuestar13]

Is he?

Probably but like I said a contracted Flanders is a very real chip in the Suns trade arsenal to get a deal done and it's now obvious with Flanders meeting Melbourne this morning it is not out of the question.

Interesting as well, there would be a connection (Flanders and King) from their time at the GC. King could sell him (Flanders) a vision/role at Melbourne.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Richmond openly said pick 4 is on the table

Ideal scenario here

Out: ‘25 1st + ‘26 1st
In : 4 (Sharp)

Trade a junk pick for Oliver


Midfield solved

 

[Peter Doherty]

Why is it an idea if we did? At no stage have I seen a report that specifically says Adelaide notified the media to say they pulled out the deal. If Victorian media are running with it, its 100% come from Petraccas camp.

Isn't it essentially what multiple sources in the Adelaide media were reporting yesterday? That we were on the verge of pulling out?

 

[LoBu]

I think its just logical the Crows legit pulled out because Melbourne are being stupid. Dont need to be positive or negative. The negative brigade are jumping the shark on this one if they want to use this as part of their narrative.

I think Melbourne played this well, they obviously wanted the best deal, but to see a club influence the choice was impressive after it started to come out that Adelaide was preferred.
I wonder if Petracca preferred Adelaide but then Gold Coast came out nowhere. Petracca possibly told them he wouldn't come back if he couldn't get traded to Adelaide, so Melbourne doubled down by dropping the Oliver bombshell, forcing the Gold Coast or nowhere option.
We pull out, Trac picks Gold Coast, Oliver now looking for a club??

 

[adelaidecrows]

Isn't it essentially what multiple sources in the Adelaide media were reporting yesterday? That we were on the verge of pulling out?

I didnt hear any reports of that. While there were probably leaks from inside the club the declaration today was broken in Victoria and that suggests it was released by Petraccas management.