Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 1

[Lana]

LDU flushed his career down the toilet staying with that Norf rabble.

At this point isn't he the rabble

 

[Lana]

I know I probably shouldn't laugh, but if the AFL sign off on Tom being eligible as an NGA selection for Geelong, then it's another player that the Saints could very well miss out on

The NGA is like 20 steps back against equalisation. Getting rid of zones was the best thing the AFL ever did, only to bring them back because Eddy McGuire chucked the sads. I wonder how bad it will be before the AFL undoes it again

 

[dudusmaximus]

Motion is carried

House Rules don't allow a Secret Ballot on this! Didn't hear no yeas or nays. I move for a Roll Call. The Clerk will call the Roll..

 

[The Unforgiven]

Rob is a free agent so he's salary only.
Look I don't rate ROB massively but he's much better than ceglar purely because he's barely missed a game in 5 years and doesn't get injured (ceglars body was cooked by the time he got to us). Also because of age you would only have to worry about 2 or 3 years of him so he doesn't block Edwards long term.

Pittonet useful yes but they wont let him go if tdk goes (he's contracted). And the same with Marshall he's 30 and contracted and unlike ROB would cost us multiple r1s.

I do think we have to find a ruck from somewhere though-blitz and Stanley are just about done and it's not an option just to rely on the kids in the short term. So we will need a cheap mature ruck it's just a matter of who.

After my post, it looks like Draper has gone down with an achilles. That's 2025 done and dusted and probably most of 2026. Crows won't be targeting him and they'll hang on to RoB a bit longer.

 

[The Unforgiven]

The NGA is like 20 steps back against equalisation. Getting rid of zones was the best thing the AFL ever did, only to bring them back because Eddy McGuire chucked the sads. I wonder how bad it will be before the AFL undoes it again

I think it will be sooner rather than later. Queensland is developing a lot of kids. If Gold Coast becomes an on-field powerhouse on the back of drafting a bunch of talented local kids, I think will hit the fan.

Conversely, if it turns out that any one of the Victorian clubs' zones end up producing too much talent like Hawthorn's zone in the '80s, then this will also become a huge point of contention amongst Victorian clubs.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I’m not being naive about it, I’m just not jumping to irrational conclusions based on a video clip of him at the dessert bar. We could be being very unfair to the kid

If you can't understand why people don't like seeing a highly paid professional "on leave" just messing around at festivals, pubs, and clubs while his teammates are playing then I can't help you.

That's not inuendo. That's all documented fact by JUH himself which is mentioned later on.

Like Warhorse touched on, if you add in the bikie rumours, then it gets a whole lot worse, but I'm not doing that here.

Anyway, it's not the literal activity of "him at a desert bar" - It's the context of that which is causing the bad headlines.

I can't believe I have to explain this like I'm writing a children's book, but I'll try:

Example A) Jamarra is playing footy, and goes to a desert bar after the game.

Public reaction: Nobody cares whatsoever.

Example B) Jamarra isn't playing footy, or going to training, or fulfilling any of his duties as a professional athlete.

He's instead going to festivals, pubs, clubs, and desert bars while his teammates are playing, and posting his antics on social media for the world to see.

Public reaction: Some people think he's being a bit of a dickhead, and not taking his recovery all that seriously.

Like I said, I don't really care about what he's doing...but it would be naive of me (and you) to not grasp why others would care about what he's doing.

 

[The rabbi]

Regarding Freddy

https://www.zerohanger.com/third-time-lucky-delisted-pie-on-the-radar-of-afl-clubs-160915/#

 

[geelong_crazy26]

If you can't understand why people don't like seeing a highly paid professional "on leave" just messing around at festivals, pubs, and clubs while his teammates are playing then I can't help you.

That's not inuendo. That's all documented fact by JUH himself which is mentioned later on.

Like Warhorse touched on, if you add in the bikie rumours, then it gets a whole lot worse, but I'm doing that here.

Anyway, it's not the literal activity of "him at a desert bar" - It's the context of that which is causing the bad headlines.

I can't believe I have to explain this like I'm writing a children's book, but I'll try:

Example A) Jamarra is playing footy, and goes to a desert bar after the game.

Public reaction: Nobody cares whatsoever.

Example B) Jamarra isn't playing footy, or going to training, or fulfilling any of his duties as a professional athlete.

He's instead going to festivals, pubs, clubs, and desert bars while his teammates are playing, and posting his antics on social media for the world to see.

Public reaction: Some people think he's being a bit of a dickhead, and not taking his recovery all that seriously.

Like I said, I don't really care about what he's doing...but it would be naive of me (and you) to not grasp why others would care about what he's doing.

I can’t believe I have to write my reply like I am writing a children’s book also but I’ll try…

You… and I…. Don’t.. actually… know… what… he spends his time doing… all you have quoted to me is he has gone to a festival… dessert bar.. and some clubs… you just listed things half the players do…

I never said I can’t realize why some are thinking that way.. don’t put words in others mouths or be black and white with your thinking.. I said we which includes yourself from your very small list of things you are aware of… don’t actually have the full picture or context about what he actually is doing with his time or what his health actually is.

Don’t be a sensitive condescending smart ass and you won’t get similar replies

 

[Kobe Gryant]

You… and I…. Don’t.. actually… know… what… he spends his time doing… all you have quoted to me is he has gone to a festival… dessert bar.. and some clubs… you just listed things half the players do…

Does this seriously need to be explained for a third time?

Yes, other players (and young people) do these things. This has been repeated several times.

Those players however, aren't on leave from their club, or doing these things WHILE their team is playing. Again, repeated several times.

...And on the 1% chance that they are - they're not dumb enough to post about it on social media showing us what they spend their time doing.

Rounding back to the original comment on bad optics, which you questioned

Can I ask what is such a bad look about a kid smashing a dessert and drinking a martini?? Just looks to me a kid having fun. I take a different look on that. Let people enjoy themselves.

I then explained to you that it is not the literal action (E.g the dessert bar) of what he is doing, it's the optics under the circumstances.

It's the optics of choosing not to play or train for football and taking leave, but seemingly just partying and doing dumb shit while being paid.

You then responded with this, which has no relevance whatsoever, and I'll explain why.

I’m not being naive about it, I’m just not jumping to irrational conclusions based on a video clip of him at the dessert bar. We could be being very unfair to the kid

Clearly you are being naive about it, because nobody is jumping to irrational conclusions. We're not even talking about them.

We are literally basing the conclusions off the information Jamarra is providing us himself, and the 'bad look' (or optics) that it's created for both himself, and his club.

Whether you or I think he's off the rails or not is irrelevant. The point is that is the media narrative (I.e the optics) thanks to his behaviour.

Can you see now why I might come across as a bit condescending in this exchange?

You either aren't actually reading the discourse, or have just misread what I've been posting completely and confused it with someone else.

 

[dudusmaximus]

Regarding Freddy

https://www.zerohanger.com/third-time-lucky-delisted-pie-on-the-radar-of-afl-clubs-160915/#

He deserves a third chance.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

After my post, it looks like Draper has gone down with an achilles. That's 2025 done and dusted and probably most of 2026. Crows won't be targeting him and they'll hang on to RoB a bit longer.

He's a UFA it's his call not theirs.

 

[dangerwood]

This is just wrong. Geelong were into Oliver and once he felt he wasn’t wanted that’s when everything escalated on Oliver’s side.

It's not but there's no way to settle this. Oliver wanted to come to Geelong before Geelong expressed interest. His manager told Geelong he really wanted to play for them. Geelong were originally lukewarm.

 

[dazbroncos]

I can’t believe I have to write my reply like I am writing a children’s book also but I’ll try…

You… and I…. Don’t.. actually… know… what… he spends his time doing… all you have quoted to me is he has gone to a festival… dessert bar.. and some clubs… you just listed things half the players do…

I never said I can’t realize why some are thinking that way.. don’t put words in others mouths or be black and white with your thinking.. I said we which includes yourself from your very small list of things you are aware of… don’t actually have the full picture or context about what he actually is doing with his time or what his health actually is.

Don’t be a sensitive condescending smart ass and you won’t get similar replies

you are correct in that we dont know what else hes doing. He could be training all the day every day and that was his cheat session.

He may also not be training everyday, ****ing off completely on someone else's coin and hanging with a bunch of total dickheads.

We dont know either.

The one thing we do know is that his judgement, not ours, aint flash.

If you ( meaning JUH) aren't smart enough to read the room and are putting yourself in the camera culture doing silly shit WHILST being on leave for personal reasons then you (JUH) open the door for all kinds of assertions - such as listed above.

And its not a single incident to this point - so yeah, id say he devaluing his brand and relationships with those that matter pretty quickly.

GO Catters

 

[FishGutz]

It's not but there's no way to settle this. Oliver wanted to come to Geelong before Geelong expressed interest. His manager told Geelong he really wanted to play for them. Geelong were originally lukewarm.

I have no idea where you’re getting this info from. Geelong were following him all year and was in talks with his management. Oliver wanted to stay. It took until he felt like he was being pushed out again for the second time that he said ok, stuff this and drove out to the farm and then made up his mind. After that he still didn’t go nuclear to get out. He wanted out badly but we weren’t going to bend for Melbourne on his value.

I feel like I have covered this at depth and so is the media. I appreciate you’re going into bat for someone who got the info completely wrong the whole way through but the doubling down is a bit bizarre.

 

[Turbocat]

This is spot on. And this is also why I’m all for us going for him. It’s the same factors people were against Smith. They don’t like what he did outside of footy etc. but like Stengle, my friend who played SANFL with him at the time told me, “if you guys go for him and can keep him steady, he will be unreal” and he was spot on.

Certain actions cannot be backed in. Sexual misconduct is a big no. Some other behaviour is blurry. But being a cringe, dumb kid, you can learn.

It is a good point you make, Kobe. There is almost a liberal and conservative view on it. I weirdly remember thinking Geelong from 2016-2020 were a bit vanilla. We actually missed guys wanting the limelight and toeing the line of being rebels. I think it’s good to have them around to bring other guys out of their shell and also let the introverts do their job and not cop the flack. Takes a balance of personalities. And interestingly we prioritise good kids and a good attitude when drafting, which seemingly allows more room for bringing in other clubs riff raff and giving them a good foundation and culture to thrive in. It’s a smart concept and a confident one by the club.

Whether or not JUH will straighten out in a new environment is impossible to predict and that’s why everyone will want him cheap. I do know for a fact though the Bulldogs boys like to party and that even includes the media darling Bont, so that’s food for thought as well. Doesn’t seem to affect him with the right balance.

Oh… and Hogan turned out alright for GWS. Right now he feels like the perfect comparison to JUH.

Dangerous conversations …Chris Scott said. Id say with each of these “riff Raff” players you bring in there is a risk and a reliance on your current culture being able hold the tide against negative influence. Too much and one may find that the current culture is no longer than one that was ..and it has changed. We may not change them as much as they change us.
Not so much one bad apple in a barrel but a blending of colours. Mixing blue and yellow …means that a new colour is now on the palette.

If its just a player sick of being an afl messiah who wants to experience normality of being a naughty boy then its understandable ..as long as he doesn't go past a failsave point. I have no knowledge of what the player has been up to in this case but not all behaviour is tolerable. Basically all we want is a player to be able to play good footy for us and for that.. we determine what level of accommodation we are willing to tolerate. Immaturity is fine. Even youthful stupidity but there is a line. I don't know exactly what the line is but its there somewhere.

The number one thing is we should be sure anyone we try to recruit is dedicated to being an afl player..and all that encompasses. Anything less and I would think the afl is too difficult. In a way it should be the player that signals that they are the ones that want us. I suspect some young men might not know what they have till its gone.

Of course sometimes..all someone wants is a clean slate. A fresh start without the burden of past events and judgements of things done when you were in a different headspace, a younger person who was learning. No one likes being held continually to account for past transgressions.. and sometimes that means to leave the old and move to the new as no matter what is said, one doesn't feel to forgiveness in the eyes of those around you. That type of feeling might see someone embrace a "what the hell” and almost let it rip.

Atm none of this is our issue. So id proceed like Kwai Chang Caine walking on rice paper. Proceed with care and prepare to embrace difference while drawing a line on what is our failsave.

interesting times …and dangerous conversations.

 

[OzeSparky]

Regarding Freddy

https://www.zerohanger.com/third-time-lucky-delisted-pie-on-the-radar-of-afl-clubs-160915/#

Melbourne would be perfect fit for Freddy.

 

[foxdog50]

Do we win it in 2022 without Cameron?

Thats 2022.... we are talking about 2025

 

[Turbocat]

Agree. I think Chris Scott's dream ruck is a taller Mark Blicavs.

CS seems to think traditional ruck-pathway (under-age comp rucks graduating to senior comp) prospects are too immobile, too injury-prone or have an early use-by date. He seems to prefer importing from other sports (mainly Basketball). Understandable as Rules have sanitised the Ruck and we don't need incredible hulks anyone.

Im not sure I totally think that he prefers talls/rucks only from a non afl background. A lot of this is part of the recruitment process and accessing talent. Blicavs for example cost no pick..and we could just recruit him as he was a rookieB. Convince him and he can straight to us. There is a separation between coach and recruitment too ..just last year we went with Pike rather than a player , mon , who is now playing for Port Melb.

I feel a key factor for CS is he sees ruck as tall mids. The are middle of the ground players than must be able to cover and run out games… we doesnt want a player that you are always look to sub out

I agree he probably embraces the talent as much as their background. Will be interesting to see how long it takes for our latest Irish kid to come thru. I dare say if Gout Gout ever wanted to try afl he would be all for it.

 

[dangerwood]

I have no idea where you’re getting this info from. Geelong were following him all year and was in talks with his management. Oliver wanted to stay. It took until he felt like he was being pushed out again for the second time that he said ok, stuff this and drove out to the farm and then made up his mind. After that he still didn’t go nuclear to get out. He wanted out badly but we weren’t going to bend for Melbourne on his value.

I feel like I have covered this at depth and so is the media. I appreciate you’re going into bat for someone who got the info completely wrong the whole way through but the doubling down is a bit bizarre.

Okay. You admit you don't know where my info has come from but then say it's bizarre I have "doubled down". Let's say I am wrong.
As someone (meaning you) who posts "Intel" on this forum and has people question it, how can you not see the irony in your response?

Also, is it not possible that both our information is right and may just be provided from different parties involved. My info is that yes Oliver's management and Geelong were in contact a lot of last year (so we agreed) but I was told it was actually Oliver's management who told Geelong he wants to come play for Geelong. Neither his management or Geelong knew if they could get a deal done, but Oliver had interest.
Now we are both saying they were in contact, you're just saying it was more Geelong pursuing him and he wasn't interested and I'm saying it was more the other way round. Is it not possible that people involved had a different perception of this situation, particularly considering Oliver's situation? It's also possible his management shared a different narrative too. Some people at Geelong might have been very keen to get Oliver and others not (very plausible in my opinion). Now your info might have come from someone interested, ie Geelong are talking with Oliver's management and are right into him, where as my mail may have been from someone who wasn't as keen, ie we're talking to Oliver's management, he is interested but we're not.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Were we not having a dip at Oliver the year prior when the rumour came out Adelaide were going hard at him?

 

[cats_09]

Since there's a bit of discussion about JUH in regards to limited info known versus what is being speculated on, maybe this is where we should be taken note of what Beveridge said during the week about him:

Ugle-Hagan remains on what the Bulldogs termed a "flexible" training arrangement and is not a regular at the club.

"Sometimes he's here, sometimes he's not. If he is and he isn't, it's not worth talking about.

"If he is and he joins in, we carry on. But because he's not currently available for selection, it's not at the forefront of my mind.

If he's was a regular at the club, showing that he's working through things and towards a return to playing, then doubt we get the number of stories on him we have the past week, and that instead the noise from the Bulldogs would be much more positive about his future

Instead, it would seem pretty clear that JUH isn't a regular at the club, nor at training - either solo or with the team, and really does look like he's currently rocking to the beat of his own drum which is what's drawing these red flags.



This does feel different to the Smith/Bulldogs relationship last year where it's well known & acknowledged that outside his European vacation, Smith was a regular at the club for his rehab, training, working with those off field teams etc

Beveridge says Jamarra's future 'in the AFL's hands', Bont set to return

Luke Beveridge says he's focused on the players available for selection at the Bulldogs

www.afl.com.au

 

[FishGutz]

Okay. You admit you don't know where my info has come from but then say it's bizarre I have "doubled down". Let's say I am wrong.
As someone (meaning you) who posts "Intel" on this forum and has people question it, how can you not see the irony in your response?

Also, is it not possible that both our information is right and may just be provided from different parties involved. My info is that yes Oliver's management and Geelong were in contact a lot of last year (so we agreed) but I was told it was actually Oliver's management who told Geelong he wants to come play for Geelong. Neither his management or Geelong knew if they could get a deal done, but Oliver had interest.
Now we are both saying they were in contact, you're just saying it was more Geelong pursuing him and he wasn't interested and I'm saying it was more the other way round. Is it not possible that people involved had a different perception of this situation, particularly considering Oliver's situation? It's also possible his management shared a different narrative too. Some people at Geelong might have been very keen to get Oliver and others not (very plausible in my opinion). Now your info might have come from someone interested, ie Geelong are talking with Oliver's management and are right into him, where as my mail may have been from someone who wasn't as keen, ie we're talking to Oliver's management, he is interested but we're not.

My information came from both sides. For the Geelong side, I was told we were pursuing all year. Geelong were always chasing but Melbourne shut it down. That’s how it went. We were always into him. He didn’t seek us out and beg for us to take him. The voices were there, hence him coming down when he felt unwelcome at Melbourne.

And my Melbourne information that Oliver was originally keen to stay until he was made to feel unwelcome came from a friend and teammate of his (at the time).

As I said, I had intel both sides, which when cross referenced matched to what was reported and played out.

I’m not trying to be arrogant but what you’re putting out simply isn’t how it went down.

 

[dangerwood]

My information came from both sides. For the Geelong side, I was told we were pursuing all year. Geelong were always chasing but Melbourne shut it down. That’s how it went. We were always into him. He didn’t seek us out and beg for us to take him. The voices were there, hence him coming down when he felt unwelcome at Melbourne.

And my Melbourne information that Oliver was originally keen to stay until he was made to feel unwelcome came from a friend and teammate of his (at the time).

As I said, I had intel both sides, which when cross referenced matched to what was reported and played out.

I’m not trying to be arrogant but what you’re putting out simply isn’t how it went down.

Okay mate, fair enough, you've shown me it's pointless saying anything else.

 

[iameviljez]

Just on JUH, have you read the Dogs board?

I won't tar them all with the same brush, as there's some decent people over there too...but one bloke genuinely believes Geelong have told JUH to behave like a dickhead in order to get him cheaply at the end of the year.

Remarkable 4D chess play. The GFC illuminati just pulling the strings again.

As FishGutz says, it might be a bad look, but the guy is just cringe.

He's not breaking the law, he's just doing dumb shit like most other people his age.

If they think Geelong are some how bethind that...then I don't know what to say.

View attachment 2287264

Was with you till you said “like most people his age” - most people, even 23 year olds, manage to keep their noses fairly clean.

 

[iameviljez]

Since there's a bit of discussion about JUH in regards to limited info known versus what is being speculated on, maybe this is where we should be taken note of what Beveridge said during the week about him:



If he's was a regular at the club, showing that he's working through things and towards a return to playing, then doubt we get the number of stories on him we have the past week, and that instead the noise from the Bulldogs would be much more positive about his future

Instead, it would seem pretty clear that JUH isn't a regular at the club, nor at training - either solo or with the team, and really does look like he's currently rocking to the beat of his own drum which is what's drawing these red flags.



This does feel different to the Smith/Bulldogs relationship last year where it's well known & acknowledged that outside his European vacation, Smith was a regular at the club for his rehab, training, working with those off field teams etc

Beveridge says Jamarra's future 'in the AFL's hands', Bont set to return

Luke Beveridge says he's focused on the players available for selection at the Bulldogs

www.afl.com.au

IMO it is worth bearing in mind just how bad things have to get for a club like the Dogs - which has not had a huge amount of exposure to the top of the draft - to burn a number one pick like that.