I'm not sure if the timing is different from usual, but the free agency period starts on Friday, and the trade period starts on Monday. He needs to nominate a club so that the clubs can figure out what they're doing with the players they already have, what cap space they have, and who they can do deals with, all of which need to happen before they know whether they can offer their free agents a contract or match an offer, or what deals they can do in the trade period.
It might be quick timing, but I suspect it's a combination of the dates that work with the school holidays (when the draft combine is) and the GF (and public holiday), the bye, and also how it fits with the start of the season and the women's league.
As for Tex, I haven't heard anything about it, that's a really strange thing for the media to have a go at him for. He said what he needed to say, he was concise, thanked the sponsors and the fans... why would he need or want to do more than that? If there was a need for it then they should have told him in advance to write a speech.
I should clarify the timing wasn't so much the issue (though would a couple of more days after the GF disappointment really make a difference?) More the fact he had set up an exclusive TV interview to reveal the destination club, yet only said 'Melbourne-based' in the official club statement earlier that day. It just smacked of wanting to draw attention to himself mere days after a huge team letdown. It just looked s**t, yet Tex dares to show a little disappointment in his losing captain's speech and he's the one copping grief?
It's all arse-about where the criticism should be heading. Lever wants to earn a man's wage, yet be treated like a kid. Can't have it both ways.