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)

 

[Golumless]

Today I heard Draper could be a potential Tex replacement. What are these people smoking?

I wouldn't throw stones at that glass house, seeing it's painfully simple. We put Draper as a 3rd tall in instead of Tex.

This structure works because Thilthorpe is a superstar, not because Tex is a good footballer. We know this because we pulled this trick in 2023 with Thilthorpe as a decoy. All we need from this position is someone who'll compete in the air, and draw defenders away from Thilthorpe. Two added bonuses are that Draper can ruck and that Sam is a capable contested mark.

It's not my first choice, seeing I'd like cheaper, but it should work well.

 

[Mostyn]

So, for the 10% of the time that we need need a backup ruck, we're playing a guy who has to kick around corners because his skills are too unreliable to kick a drop punt?

And he's replacing one of the highest skilled forwards of all time?

We're replacing someone who can push up the ground and turn and hit players on the tit with a brilliant 50 entry with someone who has to lie on the ball when the pressure gets too much?

 

[SLOWNE]

This structure works because Thilthorpe is a superstar, not because Tex is a good footballer.

Does Sam Draper even score a point from either of Tex's 4th quarter goals?

 

[Scorpus]

I wouldn't throw stones at that glass house, seeing it's painfully simple. We put Draper as a 3rd tall in instead of Tex.

This structure works because Thilthorpe is a superstar, not because Tex is a good footballer. We know this because we pulled this trick in 2023 with Thilthorpe as a decoy. All we need from this position is someone who'll compete in the air, and draw defenders away from Thilthorpe. Two added bonuses are that Draper can ruck and that Sam is a capable contested mark.

It's not my first choice, seeing I'd like cheaper, but it should work well.

Draper will not drag defenders away from Thilthorpe because he sucks and the opposition won't put any time into him as a forward

 

[adelaidecrows]

Draper will not drag defenders away from Thilthorpe because he sucks and the opposition won't put any time into him as a forward

I can see it working. Because he is a tall, all it takes is for us to seek him out if the defenders are leaving him alone and they will man him up quickly. I dont think he is as bad as we pretend for him to be. Are there better, sure, but he will almost certainly be a good replacement for Tex to provide that third tall option. Move Fog out to Tex position, get Draper interchanging the Ruck and decoying the defence when down forward, could be an option. There are worse moves we could do.

 

[GreyCrow]

As someone who knows Draper, and knows his family, he wants to come home, it's not about a role or Money, he wants to be in Adelaide. If he can't come to Adelaide for whatever reason he will stay at Essendon, he'll only go to Brisbane if A. We don't offer a contract to him and B. Essendon want to push him out because the Brisbane offer is so good it would be Band 1 compo

If he wants to come home why not Port?

 

[GreyCrow]

So, for the 10% of the time that we need need a backup ruck, we're playing a guy who has to kick around corners because his skills are too unreliable to kick a drop punt?

And he's replacing one of the highest skilled forwards of all time?

We're replacing someone who can push up the ground and turn and hit players on the tit with a brilliant 50 entry with someone who has to lie on the ball when the pressure gets too much?

At 900k

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

In that case, we need a quality wing. Or else we'll be back to the likes of Sholl or Jones. Or Dowling, I guess?

Edwards

 

[daniel_4tw]

The AFLPA has approached the AFL about allowing first round players to earn more in their third year than the mandated salery.
Their point is that kids drafted after the first round only have 2 year contracts and are able to get market rates in their third year playing, while first round picks are stuck on the mandated wage. Why should a first round pick be held back from their earning potential compared to a second round pick? Good point I suppose

Yeah that doesn’t make any sense.

It should be players drafted after first round get 2 year contracts, with the clubs having an option to add an extra year at same salary before the contract ends.

To use a draft pick (even if second rounder) only for the kid to look like a superstar and ask for a trade isn’t great for the draft.

 

[Cromulant]

Also clearly the phone call leak came from the Draper side, why would Nicks or AFC tell anyone?

He wouldn't

Its not how we've operated for a while.

 

[WeeBlake]

At the right price Draper is fine, as a maybe possibly best 22 ruck/fwd, as ruck depth, as key fwd depth. And would keep pressure on ROB to keep performing.

The right price being the key thing.

 

[Pilchard_Adams]

I can see it working. Because he is a tall, all it takes is for us to seek him out if the defenders are leaving him alone and they will man him up quickly. I dont think he is as bad as we pretend for him to be. Are there better, sure, but he will almost certainly be a good replacement for Tex to provide that third tall option. Move Fog out to Tex position, get Draper interchanging the Ruck and decoying the defence when down forward, could be an option. There are worse moves we could do.

I don't think Draper would be that bad to pick up either, salary dependent.

When i was looking up information a few months ago I thought he was more a forward that rucks than a full time ruck. He has pretty good possession stats, contested ball, contested marks, accurate in front of goals. Would not be a bad option, if Tex, Fog, obrien or Thilthorpe go down we dont have much in the cupboard. Turry is untried, could throw Nurry or Worrall forward. Once Tex retired, we are 1 injury away from our whole forward structure falling to bits. 30 to 40 goals a year from Draper taking the 3rd best defender would be perfect.

As a free agent it won't cost draft picks.

 

[Crow till I die]

Draper will not drag defenders away from Thilthorpe because he sucks and the opposition won't put any time into him as a forward

IF we were able to have snared NWM, the most obvious structural change would be to play dawson in Tex's role with stints back in the middle to break it up. He can pack mark, has a superb shot for goal and is highly mobile and it will extend his career.

 

[davos44]

If he wants to come home why not Port?

If Port offered Draper enough to get band 1 compo, Essendon would trade but it would be one of the stupidest things Port have ever done salary cap wise.

I think they should go for it!

 

[Cleric]

Draper will not drag defenders away from Thilthorpe because he sucks and the opposition won't put any time into him as a forward

No but if it means Thilthorpe spends more time in the forward line without needed to do second ruck it should make the forward line more capable.
For the record, I dont want Draper.

 

[SLOWNE]

If Port offered Draper enough to get band 1 compo, Essendon would trade but it would be one of the stupidest things Port have ever done salary cap wise.

Essendon have zero say in what he does, he is an unrestricted free agent who does not need to be traded for. He can go where he likes.

He must still be after semi decent coin if the ferals haven't shown interest as he would be a significant upgrade over several of their spuds.

 

[Betts are off]

To be honest I've seen flashes of Toby Murray that make me think he has AFL qualities. Huge frame, contested marks, moves really well and to the right places.

He took a pack mark in the pouring rain against the Power that was simply stunning.

If we are looking for a 2nd 200cm fwd/ruck in the future I'd not rule Toby out. He's raw, but the boys in that family have a way of turning their raw attributes into serious weapons.

 

[Redline]

So, for the 10% of the time that we need need a backup ruck, we're playing a guy who has to kick around corners because his skills are too unreliable to kick a drop punt?

And he's replacing one of the highest skilled forwards of all time?

We're replacing someone who can push up the ground and turn and hit players on the tit with a brilliant 50 entry with someone who has to lie on the ball when the pressure gets too much?

It could just be we think McAndrew is adequate but not going to be able to cover the ruck should ROB miss a heap of games. Maybe even some cover for Thilthorpe.

The last thing we want is for it be season over because ROB does his knee in round 1. There isn't a long window to challenge.

He isn't coming to us to play SANFL so he will have to fit into the team but I think there are reasons for us to get him given there are no draft picks involved. We have had a blessed run with injury, that doesn't always happen.

Outside living in Adelaide it makes no sense for him to come to us. I am sure he will go to Brisbane and this was just his Manager trying to bump up his price.

 

[GreyCrow]

I dont want Draper - I think Ive made this clear so this informs this post

If RoB goes down he goes down - we then slot in McAndrew and we adapt and set systems in place for his strengths. Thats what good coaches do. They adapt and adjust

Injuries happen and you cant set your LM on possible injuries

tl;dr I dont think we drop 6 places because we have McAndrew and not Draper

 

[Mutineer]

Nothing vozzo said was a lie though, it's true they did "put a strong offer to Sam" vozzo is just leaving out the fact that it's not on the table any more.

Do you think a club wants to admit that they put a contract on the table and then pulled it after the player had a serious injury?

We did the same with Doedee we put an offer to him, he said thanks but I'll shop around, he did an ACL we pulled our offer as we rightly had concerns about longevity.

It was very public Adelaide had withdrawn their Doedee offer IIRC?

 

[ams4crows]

If he wants to come home why not Port?

Port are not interested at all


I know him and the family, I'm friends with them but I don't think it's the right move from Adelaide to get him, better options out there, hell look at Henry Smith on the weekend. Smith could play that 3rd tall chop out ruck, knows how to kick a drop punt and will cost a lot less.

 

[1990crow]

It was very public Adelaide had withdrawn their Doedee offer IIRC?

Good decision in hindsight. Worrell far superior player.

 

[Mutineer]

Good decision in hindsight. Worrell far superior player.

Amazing isn't it that management get some things right, much much more than some on here give them credit for.

 

[1990crow]

Amazing isn't it that management get some things right, much much more than some on here give them credit for.

They turned the corner in 2020/2021. Before then was really bad.

 

[WeeBlake]

Amazing isn't it that management get some things right, much much more than some on here give them credit for.

If you mean list management, I agree, they have been good for some years now, and I have said so.

But it’s still the case that Worrell has played a lot less footy than he should have, and that’s on the selectors right up to 2023. He’s 24, and only played 50 games. Half a season less than Max, who is 21.