5 hours ago, Gawndy the Great said:

Since then his two housemates have left. You cannot underestimate the impact that this may have had on him. Its hard to get a read on friendship circles within the club (as they are all not best mates), but we can only hope that Kozzy is being smothered by those that stay behind. 

He needs a GF and housemates that bleed red and blue. 

He has a GF and his housemate has been offered a contract with Casey.

He needs to just be happy being him.  Putting pretty things around him won't help.  Just gotta help him with life, can't force it.

2 hours ago, dworship said:

I'll try again, a comment by who? Your correct that this what Cornes keeps trotting out and you've stated it was made last year during the trade period, who by Cornes? I don't recall Kozzie being interviewed by Cornes and I just don't see Kozzie seeking out someone to tell them this.

Can't rem exactly who, I think it may have been Richo.  So it actually did come from inside Melbourne 

14 hours ago, AzzKikA said:

Think it's the other way around.

Nah definitely grew up in WA. Moved over to SA to be with uncle Byron and go to school I believe. So other than Byron and maybe a few others would have way more family and friends in WA I’d have thought. But I guess doesn’t stop him from wanting to be to SA. 

12 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Like it or not Kornes is connected at PA. 

He's also the best in the industry and stirring up [censored] and knows that to a degree, the more he stirs the more self fulfilling this will become...Melbourne staff and fans get desperate, and either 1) overpay to keep him (in which case Kornes gets to balance his stirrer persona with some humility - "I got it wrong, I put my hand up", or 2) force Kozzie and the Dees to become distracted and perform poorly. This both a) makes kossie cheaper and b) strengthens the case for him to leave. 

In this world - when you throw mud it sticks. 

It's just our lot unfortunately and comes with the territory of having a player like him. Every other team would love to have him - even for a year - and we've got him for this year. So that's good. He might return to Adelaide and have a chronic injury, a personal issue, something else - we don't know what's around the corner. He's been a hugely successful draft pick for us and that should be celebrated irrespective of what happens from now on. 

To those saying the club needs to look at what it's doing wrong - we're a victim of our own success. I doubt Jackson would be gone if we hadn't won the flag. Kossie would have always been in demand the way he turned out, but I actually think the early flag provided these players some closure having had some 'romantic' success - meaning they turn their gaze to a more transactional 'now where do I want to live and how much do I want to get paid' mentality to play out their careers. 

Particularly on Jackson and kossie as they were crucial contributors and received a lot of accolades. Not sure I get the same vibe with Rivers who I think still has something to prove to himself and the football public despite being a premiership player. 

Whole situation does make me very sad though. I want him to play for us forever. 

People on here are so easy to catch by the Cornes bait lol..

And as you pointed, he's absolutely got connections at Port with his brother being an assistant coach and fully immersed within the inner sanctum of what's happening on and off field. So of course this kind of information would get back to Kane Corne no doubt.

when there's smoke there's fire and there's been smoke since way back in October last year and certainly not just from Kane Cornes.

5 hours ago, Lewis said:

To look at how we are accomodating interstate players? Why don’t Jackson and Pickett like living in Melbourne enough for them to leave the club ?

I dunno, covid lockdowns may have had some impact on players views of living in Melbourne. What do you reckon?

13 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

People on here are so easy to catch by the Cornes bait lol..

And as you pointed, he's absolutely got connections at Port with his brother being an assistant coach and fully immersed within the inner sanctum of what's happening on and off field. So of course this kind of information would get back to Kane Corne no doubt.

when there's smoke there's fire and there's been smoke since way back in October last year and certainly not just from Kane Cornes.

Seriously though, can you identify any other smoke?

I haven't heard anyone say "I've got mail that Pickett's thinking of leaving" other than Cornes. Doesn't mean there hasn't been anyone else, I just haven't heard it.

And it doesn't count if people are just talking about it. I'm of the view that Cornes is making a mountain out of a molehill because it suits him and his Port Adelaide link/bias. He only needs one line (the whole "he doesn't love Melbourne the city" thing) and then just starts talking about it as if it's serious/confirmed/going to happen.

1 hour ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Pickett: I want to go to Port Adelaide.

Girlfriend: But all my family are here in Melbourne.

Pickett: They’ve offered me $600k more over 3 years than what Melbourne have offered. 

Girlfriend: I’ll book the fights. 

Sorry. I didn’t know you knew his girlfriend so well. 😉 

Just now, WalkingCivilWar said:

Sorry. I didn’t know you knew his girlfriend so well. 😉 

No need to apologise. 

Just now, Ethan Tremblay said:

No need to apologise. 

Defs a need to apologise. I should’ve known better than to comment on Kozzie’s girlfriend when you clearly know her better than I do. 

15 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Seriously though, can you identify any other smoke?

I haven't heard anyone say "I've got mail that Pickett's thinking of leaving" other than Cornes. Doesn't mean there hasn't been anyone else, I just haven't heard it.

And it doesn't count if people are just talking about it. I'm of the view that Cornes is making a mountain out of a molehill because it suits him and his Port Adelaide link/bias. He only needs one line (the whole "he doesn't love Melbourne the city" thing) and then just starts talking about it as if it's serious/confirmed/going to happen.

Go back to October. If you want links, then sure.

It was well reported by several journo's and media outlets that the Port Adelaide pursuit was real but were also well aware that he was contracted for another 12 months so the chances of him leaving was very low.

Didn't stop Port from asking the question though which their well within their rights and certainly hasn't stop Port now going full assult this year.

Why? Because he's an absolute star player and marketing dream for junior supporters. It be silly for clubs to at least not ask the question. 

Not entirely sure why people are getting so sensitive about this whole Port Adelaide interest thing lol..

Take off the red and blue glasses. We did the exact same thing to Ed Langdon 12 months prior when he was contracted still at Freo.

Welcome to the landscape of player movement. 

 

Edited March 1, 20232 yr by dazzledavey36

1 hour ago, The Jackson FIX said:

And a 40% discount code for the New Balance website

Throw this into the deal…

If that doesn’t get him to stay, nothing will. 🙃

6 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Defs a need to apologise. I should’ve known better than to comment on Kozzie’s girlfriend when you clearly know her better than I do. 

Apology accepted. Let’s move on. 

14 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Go back to October. If you want links, then sure.

It was well reported by several journo's and media outlets that the Port Adelaide pursuit was real but were also well aware that he was contracted for another 12 months so the chances of him leaving was very low.

Didn't stop Port from asking the question though which their well within their rights and certainly hasn't stop Port now going full assult this year.

Why? Because he's an absolute star player and marketing dream for junior supporters. It be silly for clubs to at least not ask the question. 

Not entirely sure why people are getting so sensitive about this whole Port Adelaide interest thing lol..

Take off the red and blue glasses. We did the exact same thing to Ed Langdon 12 months prior when he was contracted still at Freo.

Welcome to the landscape of player movement. 

 

I'm not letting this go just yet.

I just did a Google search and cannot find anything from any journalists reporting that they'd heard Pickett wants to go to Port, or was considering it, or doesn't like Melbourne, other than articles forming part of the AFL Trade Radio circle jerk (i.e. raising it because it was raised on Trade Radio).

Again, I'm not suggesting it's impossible that Port (or any other club for that matter) might be interested, but so far all I can see is that Kane Cornes said it one time on Trade Radio and has been peddling it ever since, and everything seems to be flowing from there. Given his obvious Port link/bias, I'd be interested in seeing any other journalist/media person who claims to have heard the same thing, not just repeating what was on Trade Radio.

4 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

🤔  His two closest mates? Anyways…

 I can’t imagine any Club, least of all our own, picking up unneeded players for the sole reason of trying to retain one player. Especially given the picking up of any players, regardless of who they are, doesn’t guarantee that he’ll stay. 

Pretty sure the Bombers were prepared to offer the former Dee Kyle Dunkley a rookie spot, as a carrot to poach his brother Josh a couple of years ago.

17 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I'm not letting this go just yet.

I just did a Google search and cannot find anything from any journalists reporting that they'd heard Pickett wants to go to Port, or was considering it, or doesn't like Melbourne, other than articles forming part of the AFL Trade Radio circle jerk (i.e. raising it because it was raised on Trade Radio).

Again, I'm not suggesting it's impossible that Port (or any other club for that matter) might be interested, but so far all I can see is that Kane Cornes said it one time on Trade Radio and has been peddling it ever since, and everything seems to be flowing from there. Given his obvious Port link/bias, I'd be interested in seeing any other journalist/media person who claims to have heard the same thing, not just repeating what was on Trade Radio.

Mate, no one has ever said that?? Nor did I say any journalist were quoted as saying so.. All that is being said is the strong Port Adelaide interest in Pickett and not just from Cornes.

Here's a few snippets.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/09/16/thats-where-the-odds-say-he-will-be-edmund-gives-his-verdict-on-picketts/

SEN’s Chief Sports Reporter Sam Edmund doesn’t think Port Adelaide will be successful in its pursuit of Kysaiah Pickett.

Edmund broke the news earlier this week that Port was exploring the possibility of trading for Pickett over the upcoming trade period.

 

“Port are trying, absolutely trying,” Edmund said on SEN's The Picks.

“I think he’ll stay at Melbourne (though), I think, that’s where the odds say he will be in because he’s contracted for one more year and I can't in any way, shape or form see Melbourne wanting him to go and sanctioning a trade.

 

“I think it would take something significant, Kozzie would have to put in a trade request and at this stage, that is not happening,” Edmund continued.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/09/20/cashed-up-power-to-continue-pickett-pursuit-after-disappointing-dunkley-snub/

Port Adelaide will continue to aggressively pursue Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett despite his contract status according to SEN’s Michelangelo Rucci.

While reports have suggested that Pickett is excited about his Melbourne future, Rucci says that they’ll continue to ask the question in hopes that the small forward requests a trade this off-season

 

Port’s definitely there, they’re asking the question quite often,” Rucci said on SEN SA Breakfast.

“Kysaiah is contracted at Melbourne next year, not that contracts mean much at this time of year.

“The real question there is, how much does Kysaiah want to accept what Port Adelaide put in front of him?

“Then it’d be going to Melbourne and saying, ‘Well, I want to go home’.

“Port might be in for the long game, but if you don’t ask, you’ll never get anywhere.

“They’re definitely keen to get Kysaiah Pickett to Alberton, there’s no doubt about that at all.”

I actually like Cornes.  It I think he likes to stir the pot. He does it quite often. Speaks about loyalty and calls out players. Then applauds anyone wanting to leave their club for port. I’d say he may be ITK. But of course port would be into Pickett. I wouldn’t read too much into this just yet. 

8 minutes ago, mo64 said:

Pretty sure the Bombers were prepared to offer the former Dee Kyle Dunkley a rookie spot, as a carrot to poach his brother Josh a couple of years ago.

Didn't Brisbane change their recruiting strategy to drafting Vic Country lads to minimise the player exodus at one stage?

I mean they legitimately trying this with Kozzie as we speak with Liam Henry lol.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.zerohanger.com/fremantle-forward-liam-henry-linked-to-melbourne-amid-kysaiah-pickett-trade-speculation-132578/amp/

Melbourne reportedly have a young Fremantle forward on their radar as they plan to satisfy and re-sign off-contract star Kysaiah Pickett

According to The Herald Sun, Fremantle are also tipped to have Pickett in mind for their off-season planning, however it could be a Dockers forward that ends up swapping clubs amid the rumours surrounding Pickett's future.

The publication's report suggests the Demons could place some attention toward a move for Dockers forward Liam Henry, a close friend of Pickett's.

After losing Toby Bedford to GWS last year, Melbourne may see Henry as a viable option to add to their forward stocks in a bid to not only bolster their attack, but help keep Pickett in the red and blue.

5 hours ago, 4_Kent_Watts said:

Maybe some Footballer will decide they want to play for a Club that wins regardless of how much they get paid or where they're located. Who in their right minds, now if Melbourne said we want you to play for us wouldn't want to. Someone I wouldn't want to go see each week. 

I appreciate your view. I just don't have the same.

Out of interest, what would you do? Ask him to sign? What would you do if you were in charge and he refused to sign till the end of the year.

44 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Didn't Brisbane change their recruiting strategy to drafting Vic Country lads to minimise the player exodus at one stage?

I mean they legitimately trying this with Kozzie as we speak with Liam Henry lol.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.zerohanger.com/fremantle-forward-liam-henry-linked-to-melbourne-amid-kysaiah-pickett-trade-speculation-132578/amp/

Melbourne reportedly have a young Fremantle forward on their radar as they plan to satisfy and re-sign off-contract star Kysaiah Pickett

According to The Herald Sun, Fremantle are also tipped to have Pickett in mind for their off-season planning, however it could be a Dockers forward that ends up swapping clubs amid the rumours surrounding Pickett's future.

The publication's report suggests the Demons could place some attention toward a move for Dockers forward Liam Henry, a close friend of Pickett's.

After losing Toby Bedford to GWS last year, Melbourne may see Henry as a viable option to add to their forward stocks in a bid to not only bolster their attack, but help keep Pickett in the red and blue.

Why wouldn’t you just keep Bedford? He was on our list , he was half decent and he was good mates with Kozzy. I call BS on the Henry link. 

7 hours ago, Gawndy the Great said:

Why wouldn’t you just keep Bedford? He was on our list , he was half decent and he was good mates with Kozzy. I call BS on the Henry link. 

Bedford wanted to go, for more opportunity.  Melbourne attempted to play hardball on the trade.  
 

Kossie is an out of town kid who lost the two closest people to him in the club: I think it would be naive to think that the club wouldn’t be thinking of ways to bolster his personal network in Melbourne to make him feel more at home here. I don’t believe that’d be the sole reason they go after Henry but I am sure it would help the argument.

Edited March 1, 20232 yr by The Jackson FIX

9 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Go back to October. If you want links, then sure.

It was well reported by several journo's and media outlets that the Port Adelaide pursuit was real but were also well aware that he was contracted for another 12 months so the chances of him leaving was very low.

Didn't stop Port from asking the question though which their well within their rights and certainly hasn't stop Port now going full assult this year.

Why? Because he's an absolute star player and marketing dream for junior supporters. It be silly for clubs to at least not ask the question. 

Not entirely sure why people are getting so sensitive about this whole Port Adelaide interest thing lol..

Take off the red and blue glasses. We did the exact same thing to Ed Langdon 12 months prior when he was contracted still at Freo.

Welcome to the landscape of player movement. 

 

Absolutely correct. There was noise around us and Langdon for a long time. It wasn't 'real' until it was all of a sudden. 

I'd say since the advent of free agency, the smoke tends to indicate fire probably 6 or 7 times out of 10. That probably increases to 8 or 9 out of 10 when we're talking interstate players who may harbour a desire to live somewhere else. 

Honestly - from his perspective, it is no different playing for Melbourne or PA. Both are strong clubs, he gets to do what he loves and he'll be well paid and celebrated wherever. Perhaps moreso in the Adelaide fishbowl than he gets here from our small fanbase. 

It's all about where he wants to live, settle and sees himself living for the next 10 years and maybe starting a family (if on the cards). Like it or not a lot of interstate people don't love Melbourne - the traffic, the footy-centric culture, property prices, the lockdown. And that's without mentioning a need to drive 1.5 hrs to a pretty humdrum part of the world in Casey. 

We can bake him cupcakes, send him messages and express all our love for Koz but it's not going to make one iota of difference. He knows he'll get that and more somewhere else. As long as he keeps playing good footy. 

15 hours ago, TRIGON said:

And every club has a story of a player that left and went on much smaller and worse things...Nathan Buckley springs to mind.

The post we all wish we thought of first..

No matter what happens in the end, I hope the club is raising concerns with the AFL about the fragility of draft picks. 

In my view it is unfair for teams to invest and risk in young talent, just to lose those young players for not even a top 5 pick.

If Kozzie goes, the equation is quite simple. We will demand Zak Butters. 

Butters is from Victoria.

2 hours ago, layzie said:

The post we all wish we thought of first..

And had posted without a grammatical error... 'to' much smaller and worse things.

Apologies for dragging the standard down - again.

Edited March 1, 20232 yr by TRIGON