Well that's just f***ed.
Buddy leaving them was the absolute best thing that could have happened to them. Freed up a truckload of cap space and they are a much more balanced team because of it.
FWIW, I heard the exact rumour BrianSpeaking threw out their about Buddy at a GF party yesterday. The source was from a bloke who works in footy and is mates with Dan Hannebury. The same bloke told me that the Bombers were on drugs months before it broke in the media and has a good track record.
Apparently, Sydney are exploring all options on what the next steps are. It is becoming a real possibility that Buddy may not play AFL again and this is Sydney's preferred outcome. Sydney are considering looking at an agreed payout for Buddy to retire and are working through the salary cap ramifications with the AFL.
Again, this is just 1 option being explored. If this does eventuate the AFL will do everything possible to help Sydney out. They can't have their pet plummeting down the ladder, the club would fold.
Also, I am not for a second suggesting that the depression is made up. Just that there might be more going on here, and the mail Brian had was IMO spot on. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds......