Rumour Speculation, Rumours, Lies Thread 2025

[Scorpus]

Rumour Summary October 1st

• Adelaide expects a decision from Christian Petracca
  3

  Christian Petracca

  Age

  30

  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
  10

  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)

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Did we commit to this guy before he did his achilles because this seems like an insane move from list management. This guy is a spud. His skills are shit, he lacks composure and he has a low footy IQ. The only thing he's got going for him is athleticism and who knows if that's still true after his injury.

 

[Pea Nut]

Not saying I want us to go after Draper, but why does it matter how he kicks for goal? If they go through, they are worth the exact same amount of points as goals kicked with a drop punt. It’s a non issue

It matters because the margin for error is so much smaller. And how is he gonna go when on the wrong side for going round the corner. Or a bit further out. And clearly he is doing it because he has no trust in his drop punt. That’s not a good sign.

 

[Gtowncrow]

It will get done. Player Managers talk to clubs in the background.

Either way I've never been convinced players care too much about what their club gets as compensation. Its a good PR excercise.

Certainly not to the point they don't move.

Do you remember Chris Grant for Footscray.
Stayed for 20 cents from a young boy who sent him all his money to help him stay.

An integral part of the story in how Footscray saved itself from financial oblivion.

 

[GreyCrow]

If ROB goes down for 8 weeks in the last game before finals how are we gonna go in finals? This is the only reason for getting Draper, not to fill some post Tex forward fantasy.

You cant sign a player based on fear

You sign them because you think they will fit your structure and team. Also who they are replacing is leaving

If any of our rucks do an injury 8 weeks out you would hope the development team has instructed the B grader in structures and placements - and cross your fingers

Your scenario is built on fear - because the next response is ''what if both rucks go down omg ''

 

[cmndstab]

If ROB goes down for 8 weeks in the last game before finals how are we gonna go in finals? This is the only reason for getting Draper, not to fill some post Tex forward fantasy.

Do you think Draper is going to come over here to play second fiddle to ROB and languish in the SANFL?

If he's coming here, it's to be our lead ruck. And if that's the case, ROB will be out of here the next day.

 

[GameofSloanes]

I’ve heard Draper is basically a done deal to Brisbane. Which I thought very surprising. Seemed like they were late comers to showing interest in him.

Let's hope it's right

 

[32year crow]

ROB apparently offered an upgraded 3 year contract today.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

It matters because the margin for error is so much smaller. And how is he gonna go when on the wrong side for going round the corner. Or a bit further out. And clearly he is doing it because he has no trust in his drop punt. That’s not a good sign.

Disagree with this, when it comes kicking in a general spot and not precise passing, a banana/check side gives a bigger margin for error.

 

[Hell Boy6669]

So is the thought process we’d play both Rob and Draper in the same side?

 

[Cromulant]

So is the thought process we’d play both Rob and Draper in the same side?

Nope.

To get one you lose one.

 

[1990crow]

So is the thought process we’d play both Rob and Draper in the same side?

What if it's both? Tex retires and Draper takes his spot in the 22 allowing Thilthorpe to be full time forward.

Careful. Mostyn and BRL121 might give you a thumbs down.

 

[Mostyn]

Careful. Mostyn and BRL121 might give you a thumbs down.

Well, it is a pretty dumb suggestion for lots of obvious reasons, so better just a thumbs down than having to do a post to point that out.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

So is the thought process we’d play both Rob and Draper in the same side?

Hope not!

 

[Trigger13]

Malcolm Rosas and NWM and call it done

More chance of getting Ah Chee or Zac Bailey than either of these two.

 

[Betts are off]

Still very lupe warm on Sam Draper. The ROB from the last 10 weeks is a ruck I can get behind for the next 3 seasons no problem. I even think i'd prefer to give McAndrew a shot as a lead ruck for us in the 1st team before Draper (especially if you factor in $$).

 

[jo172]

Even if Draper was a better player than he is, he historically spends half the season injured.

With ruckmen once you start getting injured it seems to be serious diminishing returns given the physical strain of the position. It's not something that gets fixed just by change of environment/better fitness staff.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

If ROB goes down for 8 weeks in the last game before finals how are we gonna go in finals? This is the only reason for getting Draper, not to fill some post Tex forward fantasy.

I find rucks to generally be overrated in terms of team performance. Max Gawn is the only top line ruckman from the last decade or so that has won a flag. Every other team has won with a very average ruck.

 

[Bearded Clam]

More chance of getting Ah Chee or Zac Bailey than either of these two.

Why do you continually talk down our chances of getting a player (especially when it could be a choice between Port and us).. you do it constantly.

Any ex SA player that could be coming home and you instantly go the negative “oh, he’ll be going to Port”.. every fxxkn time.

And you wonder why people in here question if you are actually a power supporter..

Or is it just a coping mechanism for you.. you would rather say thousands of times over “he’s going to port” and then if he does you wont be dissapointed and if he doesnt you’ll be even more surprised and happy..

 

[Straight Outta Crompton]

Hypothetical to consider.

We overpay for Draper, ensuring it generates Dons a Top 10 compo pick.

Dons then have 3 top 10 picks – we then package our ’25 P1 and perhaps a player (Sholl, Edwards, etc) rather than additional picks, for one of the Don's three (probably for optics, not the one we just help them get for nothing).

Then, on-trade Dons Pick 6, 7 or 8 + ’26 F1 + our ‘25 F2 and/or the remnant of Sholl / Edwards, for NWM.

It’s a slightly better pick than the Port/GCS one, I’ve ran it past the Dons board and they’re not offended. I think we could stomach a lame Draper if it got us NWM. Certainly better than anything Port could generate without trading out one of their best 5 players

 

[Viva la Mattner]

More chance of getting Ah Chee or Zac Bailey than either of these two.

Wouldn't shock if we got Zac Bailey

Lions would get more from us in a trade now than compo next year
Bailey's family is here , plus the sadly reported health issues of his mother, might make him think home is best place to be

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Hypothetical to consider.

We overpay for Draper, ensuring it generates Dons a Top 10 compo pick.

Dons then have 3 top 10 picks – we then package our ’25 P1 and perhaps a player (Sholl, Edwards, etc) rather than additional picks, for one of the Don's three (probably for optics, not the one we just help them get for nothing).

Then, on-trade Dons Pick 6, 7 or 8 + ’26 F1 + our ‘25 F2 and/or the remnant of Sholl / Edwards, for NWM.

It’s a slightly better pick than the Port/GCS one, I’ve ran it past the Dons board and they’re not offended. I think we could stomach a lame Draper if it got us NWM. Certainly better than anything Port could generate without trading out one of their best 5 players

Good in theory but NWM is more concerned about playing with his buddies than coming to a successful club

 

[1970crow]

Twomey reckons we've upped our offer to ROB to 3yrs

Would explain the 0 marks on Sunday.

 

[Trigger13]

Why do you continually talk down our chances of getting a player (especially when it could be a choice between Port and us).. you do it constantly.

Any ex SA player that could be coming home and you instantly go the negative “oh, he’ll be going to Port”.. every fxxkn time.

And you wonder why people in here question if you are actually a power supporter..

Or is it just a coping mechanism for you.. you would rather say thousands of times over “he’s going to port” and then if he does you wont be dissapointed and if he doesnt you’ll be even more surprised and happy..

I literally talked up our chances of getting a player. Two in fact.


The notion that im a port fan because I say something that doesn’t fit the crows narrative is getting so boring. Stop cherry picking my comments to suit your own narrative. I have a mate who is very well connected to port. And he gets great intel. I also have sources in the player management space. I’m just going on what I get told. Sorry if that annoys you so much. I don’t think we are a chance to get him. That doesn’t make me a friggen port fan. Or someone who needs a ‘coping mechanism’.

Why don’t you flip it into something more positive. Like this crows supporter is saying we are up to our eyeballs in Zac Bailey and Ah Chee. Instead of making out I’m the negative one.

 

[Afcprophet]

Draper is worse for our squad than rob.
Rob's fitness and preparation is absolutely elite.

Rob is having a great year. The changes to the ruck rule really benefit him.

 

[1970crow]

Nope.

To get one you lose one.

I think we absolutely would play them in the same side. Draper hasn't been a full time ruck at Essendon and he'll be coming off a long injury layoff. There's no way that our plan would be to play him in 2026 like we do ROB as effectively a sole first ruck. I'd be pretty confident that our strategy was for him to takeover fully after a couple of seasons, which would be why we originally offered ROB a 2 year deal whilst still chasing Draper. But I think the plan in the short term would be for Draper to play as a 3rd tall/ruck chopout and increase the chopout minutes as he returns back to full fitness.

When Tex goes, they'll either be looking to maintain the 3 tall structure, which means trading someone or playing Murray or Burgess if he's extended. Or they change the structure and go smaller or bring Curtin to CHF. They could do any of these things, but IF we are genuinely still chasing Draper and offering ROB 3 years, my money is on Draper being recruited to play KPF/backup ruck for the next year or 2.