Christian Petracca

[Beetle 4,519]

1 hour ago, Disco InTurno said:

Damo: “he may want to consider a LeBron James-style broadcast to announce his next club of choice. Imagine the boost, Christian, of those Instagram followers. The NBA icon in 2010 revealed his decision to leave the Cavaliers for the Heat in The Decision, a 75-minute broadcast, with commercials, on ESPN. Ooooh, the tension, as we wait to hear, from 'Brand Petracca' himself, the football reasons as to why he wants out of the Melbourne Football Club.” 

Brand “CP5-More Years”

[Sydee 4,182]

7 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Has one player ever caused so much trouble for a club without uttering a word?

Nope 

[13thFlagIsComing 542]

My 2 cents on the whole fiasco we are going through atm. I have no insider info just my perspective on everything. 

- COVID causes teams to go into hub where there is limited access to exterior vices, players eat sleep, breathe football and come together as a unit to win a drought breaking premiership.

- Trac's contract renewal at the time is based on the promise of 1) We will have a training facility confirmed in the near future (meaning no long drives to Casey)  2) Internal culture issues will be rectified 3) Levels of professionalism will be risen around the club to match Trac's levels (this states that there is either different levels acceptable for different players) to ensure that the list we had maximises its potential to win multiple flags.

- The current club executive drop the ball on addressing underlying issues that have been kicked down the road for 3 years. 

- Potential promises made to Trac regarding the above haven't been met or not met to the level he expects.

- Internal split (players & potentially administration) on the issues regarding Clarry & Joel and how those issues have been handled.

- Trac's injury and subsequent recovery issues.

- Frustration with the quality of players traded in compared to the players traded out.

[Sydee 4,182]

Could be wrong but my interpretation of Tacs silence is that he has some genuine concerns of which some it seems are shared by the club captain (not all though) 

He is waiting for them to either take some meaningful action to address these issues 

If they don’t perhaps he will than publicly state he wants to be traded and then I suspect we will be told the nature of his grievances 

I don’t agree with his tactics if this is true but the fact that Max also seems to think changes need to be made says to me that something needs to be addressed and quickly 

[binman 41,923]

1 hour ago, adonski said:

Wow Damo has gone bang

Could be a post on demonland!

[waynewussell 4,841]

4 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Not directed at you Skuit.  Just some of the scummy media circus who are looking to re-write history to try and concoct their own narrative.

In Tracc's own words (respomdokg to a question about support he received during his traumatic first few weeks)...

"My phone was popping off from everyone, it's just really tough period the first two and a half weeks i literally haven't been able to see anyone (bar Bella who he was able to nominate).

So it's all been, yeh just through text messages, and yeh the support i've received has been incredible, from Roffey (Kate) down.

So, um yeh it's been awesome to kinda be outta this isolation period, you know Gawny came round, which was awesome.

No doubt i'll be back in the club in the next few weeks.  It's been great, it's been tough."

Is this legit?

Edited August 30 by waynewussell

[daisycutter 29,289]

the obvious solution is to offer tracc the presidency or ceo position (or both)

player, brandcp5 and ceo/presidency should keep him busy and not distracted

you know it makes sense

[Superunknown 4,052]

I find it puzzling the media piles onto Melbourne so much. I mean, I get it - papers to sell, clicks to collect. Maybe it’s just a reflection of actual issues in the club. But I also wonder - why aren’t Collingwood under scrutiny for missing the finals? Why isn’t alleged wantaway Josh Daicos part of the cycle.  It’s just weird.

[Demon Dynasty 17,080]

49 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

It’s an all out pile on the MFC now no holds barred, kick them whilst their down, show no mercy, this fiasco is going to put us back years, possibly back into the wilderness again. Unless……???????

It depends on how we as supporters and the club handle it DZ imho.

I believe we all need to galavanise and get behind the club and quickly.

I'm backing in Roffey, Pert, Goody, Gawny, Vines, Choco to get this done and if they can't to NOT back down but instead hold Tracc to his contract as Simon & Richo have already stated.

In Tracc's own words, the efforts of Roffey down (including players such as Gawny) were incredible during his early weeks of this crisis.

So it's nothing to do with that as the media circus pile on would want everyone to believe.  Ie;  the MFC has such a bad culture.  Heads should roll blah blah blah.

As Kate said, let the club do their work.  The key players in the FD including the player leadership group are no doubt working away through as best they can.

Possibly against all odds if the Tracc camp has cast its die already for whatever reason/s.  And who knows what the reason/s are unless you've had a direct meeting with the man himself such as Max / Goody.

Even then, a clear and obvious reason/s may not be there if he is not being open and/or completely true to his heart / word.

Have faith and let the cards play out.

If he wants to be there he will find reasons to stay assuming we address some of his concerns where they are legit and assuming the club is being open and honest.

If he made his mind up before returning to the club and wants to move on for some other unknown reasons then it's going to be a difficult save and probably unlikely to be a pleasant one for both parties.

After everything i've heard from Tracc himself, Roffey, Gawn and the club i'm backing the club in 100% from here either way.

If Tracc sees the light, does a 180 and stays, we forgive and move on.

If he doesn't i want to see the club hold him to his contract and / or get a sensational deal from any club that we feel can provide a windfall outcome.

And not a 'big club' of Tracc's choice IF that was an accurate account of his wish in the exit interview.  They won't have the currency to do so anyway.

So IF Tracc is adament he wants a fresh start, all good son, but we hold the cards and we'll decide where that might be.

As painful as it is, as supporters all we can do is hold the line and let the club get to work big time here.

Edited August 29 by Demon Dynasty

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,416]

5 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I find it puzzling the media piles onto Melbourne so much. I mean, I get it - papers to sell, clicks to collect. Maybe it’s just a reflection of actual issues in the club. But I also wonder - why aren’t Collingwood under scrutiny for missing the finals? Why isn’t alleged wantaway Josh Daicos part of the cycle.  It’s just weird.

It's either because we are genuinely hated or because we are seen as an easy target

[von 1,493]

3 minutes ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

It's either because we are genuinely hated or because we are seen as an easy target

Why is it that we are so hated? I’ve only recently come to realise how much other teams supporters genuinely dislike us. I always thought we were too irrelevant to hate. I guess it has to do with our history and our supporter profile skewing wealthy, whether or not that is accurate or a cliche I’m not even sure…

[cookieboc 731]

Don’t think we will hear from trac till the vic clubs are out of the finals 

[pitmaster 3,442]

11 hours ago, Jack7 said:

Joe Gutnick is still alive?

 

He must be like 120 by now

Beards can be ageing. He's actually about 70.

And living in Tasmania according to Daniel Cherny who tracked him down in Grand Final week 2021.

[Left Foot Snap 2,318]

8 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I find it puzzling the media piles onto Melbourne so much. I mean, I get it - papers to sell, clicks to collect. Maybe it’s just a reflection of actual issues in the club. But I also wonder - why aren’t Collingwood under scrutiny for missing the finals? Why isn’t alleged wantaway Josh Daicos part of the cycle.  It’s just weird.

Odds on there is a bigger underlying story that they (media) are sweating on. Piling the pressure on to attempt to break something and someone to reveal something that will allow them to pursue the bigger story. This year is bordering on a campaign and the media wouldn't do that unless they smelt blood and bigger profits in the future. 

[Roost it far 7,348]

18 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

It depends on how we as supporters and the club handle it DZ imho.

I believe we all need to galavanise and get behind the club and quickly.

I'm backing in Roffey, Pert, Goody, Gawny, Vines, Choco to get this done and if they can't to NOT back down but instead hold Tracc to his contract as Simon & Richo have already stated.

In Tracc's own words, the efforts of Roffey down (including players such as Gawny) were incredible during his early weeks of this crisis.

So it's nothing to do with that as the media circus pile on would want everyone to believe.  Ie;  the MFC has such a bad culture.  Heads should roll blah blah blah.

As Kate said, let the club do their work.  The key players in the FD including the player leadership group are no doubt working away through as best they can.

Possibly against all odds if the Tracc camp has cast its die already for whatever reason/s.  And who knows what the reason/s are unless you've had a direct meeting with the man himself such as Max / Goody.

Even then, a clear and obvious reason/s may not be there if he is not being open and/or completely true to his heart / word.

Have faith and let the cards play out.

If he wants to be there he will find reasons to stay assuming we address some of his concerns where they are legit and assuming the club is being open and honest.

If he made his mind up before returning to the club and wants to move on for some other unknown reasons then it's going to be a difficult save and probably unlikely to be a pleasant one for both parties.

After everything i've heard from Tracc himself, Roffey, Gawn and the club i'm backing the club in 100% from here either way.

If Tracc sees the light, does a 180 and stays, we forgive and move on.

If he doesn't i want to see the club hold him to his contract and / or get a sensational deal from any club that we feel can provide a windfall outcome.

And not a 'big club' of Tracc's choice IF that was an accurate account of his wish in the exit interview.  They won't have the currency to do so anyway.

So IF Tracc is adament he wants a fresh start, all good son, but we hold the cards and we'll decide where that might be.

As painful as it is, as supporters all we can do is hold the line and let the club get to work big time here.

Thats all fine but how was it let to get to this point and who’s responsible for that? For mine Tracc is behaving like a petulant child but the club also has some issues that need attending to. Law suits between people who largely want the same thing, a successful club, feel like ego’s getting in the way of sound decision making. The club hierarchy should be spending all its time on running the club and securing Caulfield, not in legal cases. To have your star asset do this looks badly on everyone whatever the actual truth turns out to be. Roffey did herself or the club no favours yesterday and perhaps it is time for clear air at the top? 

Edited August 30 by Roost it far

[roy11 3,652]

19 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I find it puzzling the media piles onto Melbourne so much. I mean, I get it - papers to sell, clicks to collect. Maybe it’s just a reflection of actual issues in the club. But I also wonder - why aren’t Collingwood under scrutiny for missing the finals? Why isn’t alleged wantaway Josh Daicos part of the cycle.  It’s just weird.

It is especially puzzling for a club which is deemed somewhat "irrelevant" or small by some.

 

[beelzebub 23,175]

24 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I find it puzzling the media piles onto Melbourne so much. I mean, I get it - papers to sell, clicks to collect. Maybe it’s just a reflection of actual issues in the club. But I also wonder - why aren’t Collingwood under scrutiny for missing the finals? Why isn’t alleged wantaway Josh Daicos part of the cycle.  It’s just weird.

It's only weird if you suppose the game is played upon a level field.

It isn't and hasn't been for quite a while. Look at the preferential treatment afforded certain clubs. Also  consider do these same said clubs weird unequal power in the various hallways of the chambers running this circus ?

Not weird at all imho.  It is what it is.... by design ;) 

[Fat Tony 5,071]

Trac is getting some really bad advice right now and is obviously not in a good frame of mind.

If Trac wants to save Brand Petracca, he needs to kiss and make up with Melbourne.

If he leaves, all the stories about his historical behaviour will come out which will make him seem weird and selfish, and he will be booed by all clubs' supporters like JHF for being disloyal.

Plus, he has got to realise that Melbourne can't given him away cheaply. If we do that, key people at the club in positions of power at MFC would lose their jobs for being spineless. Lamb, Richo, Pert, Roffey would all have to go.

[beelzebub 23,175]

20 minutes ago, cookieboc said:

Don’t think we will hear from trac till the vic clubs are out of the finals 

Bingo.

Not until season truly done and dusted do the mics get switched back on.

But plenty of backroom shenanigans and texting until then 😉

[daisycutter 29,289]

33 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

Beards can be ageing. He's actually about 70.

And living in Tasmania according to Daniel Cherny who tracked him down in Grand Final week 2021.

i saw him at a game this year, early in the season

[Jjrogan 1,391]

2 hours ago, 3183 Dee said:

I think Damo’s being sarcastic here - it appears that the tide has turned against The Brand.

 

Imo most commentators are stuck in the past here  His account is up several thousand in the past few days. It's growing fast.  Trac5 is bigger than Collingwood football club social media presence.  Ad revenue for social media v TV is about on par these days, it's no small feat.  Clicks, views, shares and likes are the new  kicks, handballs, marks and tackles for him and right now Brand Petracca is doing pretty well.  I've heard this argument - he needs football. Yeah eventually he does but a few months of solid internet traffic def ain't hurting. 

He's going to leave a legacy alright, bringing the AFL into the modern digital age.  Have a look at the AFL ig page if you ever need to get to sleep. Barely any videos, bunch of boring photos. It's pathetic. Compare it to the NFL, heaps of highlight and content.  I'm not saying the game needs to be fully Americanised (z?), or even partially but at least get into 2024.  This is all about going viral and massive on social media in particular. 

Edited August 30 by Jjrogan

[buck_nekkid 5,818]

CP5 as a brand doesnt work at other clubs unless you punt Jamie Elliot, Adam Cerra, etc from their current numbers….

[RedFox 442]

The unfortunate thing about this season is that everything that has happened has left us in the middle of nowhere between rebuilding and contending.

The emotion of losing Petracca stems from the man himself being a beacon of our rise from basket case to powerhouse - to have that very beacon *seemingly turn his back on us, is heartbreaking. The contending side of our brain as supporters is desperate for him to pledge commitment and come back happy and healthy, and for his magnificence as a footballer spark another resurgence.

The painful, less pleasant, but, perhaps logical course of action would be to cash in our biggest asset at the peak of his value and fully commit rebuilding this list while we still have legends of the club & premiership players to guide the new wave.

It is crystal clear that this is a gigantic fork in the road for our club - irrespective of whether Trac stays or goes, he is undoubtedly going to be an agent of change for the back office and somebody that said enough is enough. Nobody takes joy in seeing the club suffer and get thrown to the wolves, but maybe it's what was needed to wake everybody up. 

Edited August 30 by RedFox

[Queanbeyan Demon 6,694]

46 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I find it puzzling the media piles onto Melbourne so much. I mean, I get it - papers to sell, clicks to collect. Maybe it’s just a reflection of actual issues in the club. But I also wonder - why aren’t Collingwood under scrutiny for missing the finals? Why isn’t alleged wantaway Josh Daicos part of the cycle.  It’s just weird.

 

41 minutes ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

It's either because we are genuinely hated or because we are seen as an easy target

 

29 minutes ago, Left Foot Snap said:

Odds on there is a bigger underlying story that they (media) are sweating on. Piling the pressure on to attempt to break something and someone to reveal something that will allow them to pursue the bigger story. This year is bordering on a campaign and the media wouldn't do that unless they smelt blood and bigger profits in the future. 

Melbourne Football Club: A Critical Reflection on Recent Turmoil

It’s astonishing to see the level of confusion and misplaced blame being directed externally when the reality is much closer to home. The narrative that the Melbourne Football Club (MFC) is a victim of media scrutiny or some external vendetta fails to acknowledge the undeniable truth: we’ve been feeding this beast for at least the last 12 months. Now, as one of the biggest stories in the history of the game unfolds, once again, the Dees find themselves at the centre of it.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

There’s no escaping the fact that much of the chaos surrounding the club is of our own making. The dysfunction within the club, which has been an open secret for some time, has led us to this point. While the premiership win in 2021 and subsequent top-four finishes in 2022 and 2023 gave us a temporary reprieve, they also allowed underlying issues to fester unnoticed. Unfortunately, the goodwill generated by these achievements has now evaporated, leaving us exposed.

The Media’s Role vs. Our Responsibility

It’s easy to point fingers at the media, claiming they’re complicit or exacerbating the situation. However, this deflection only serves to distract from the internal issues that are the real culprits. The truth is, we’ve been getting away with far too much for far too long. The media is merely amplifying the chaos we’ve sown, and we must accept responsibility for our part in this mess.

A Star Fading into Darkness

The star that once shone so brightly in 2021 has faded into the vast reaches of the cosmos. The optimism and hope that followed our premiership win have been replaced with disappointment and frustration. Instead of building on our success, we’ve allowed dysfunction to creep in and undermine everything we’ve achieved. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but we deserve much of the criticism coming our way.

The Final Straw: Leadership and Accountability

And then there’s Kate. Her actions yesterday, whatever they may have been, seem to have poured another gallon of petrol on an already raging fire. The situation has escalated from a mere “dumpster fire” to a full-blown catastrophe. Leadership is about more than just guiding a team on the field; it’s about steering the entire club in the right direction, especially in times of crisis. Unfortunately, it seems we’ve lost our way.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Change

The MFC needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Blaming external forces won’t fix what’s broken within. We must address the dysfunction, enforce accountability at all levels, and rebuild the trust and unity that once defined us. It won’t be easy, but it’s the only path forward if we hope to restore the pride and integrity of this club.

In conclusion, while the flames of controversy burn bright around us, we must remember that we are the ones who set the fire. It’s time to stop playing the victim and start taking responsibility for our actions. Only then can we hope to extinguish the flames and rise from the ashes stronger than before.

[The Jackson FIX 2,673]

54 minutes ago, von said:

I’ve only recently come to realise how much other teams supporters genuinely dislike us. I always thought we were too irrelevant to hate.

Recent success will do that to you