12 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

You are right he doesn’t have to do anything. So when his commitment to the club is in question and the fan base are demoralised with all of the uncertainty this story is generating, he chooses to remain silent.

What does that tell you? 

That there is nothing to see here. 

13 minutes ago, Deelectable said:

That there is nothing to see here. 

If there’s really nothing going on, then why hasn’t Trac come out and simply said, "I'm not going anywhere"?

The fanbase is in meltdown over a generational player who’s unhappy—just like the rest of us—with the club’s direction and how his injury has been handled. He has every right to be upset, and if he weren’t locked into a five-year contract, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already left.

The club put out a vague statement, essentially saying Trac is under contract, which politely suggests they intend to hold him to it. But what happens if he demands to go? If push comes to shove, I think we’d be forced to give in to his wishes.

Our captain, normally the most confident bloke I've seen, gave the most uncertain reassurance I've seen that Trac isn’t going anywhere.

Yes, the media and Morris thrive on clickbait, twisting stories to sell papers and generate clicks. But there’s clearly smoke here, and probably at least a brush fire.

Can this be resolved? Possibly. Will he leave this year? Who knows?

I get that Trac is unhappy—again, we all are—but if, as you say, there’s nothing to see here, why hasn’t he used his massive online platforms to make a statement? Maybe his silence is his statement. It could mean, "I’m not leaving, but I’m not happy, and until some changes are made, I’m staying silent." It’s all conjecture at this point.

The real issue is that the fanbase is in meltdown. This isn’t just happening on Demonland; it’s all over Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp groups, and at the dinner table.

We, as supporters, are key stakeholders. We pay our hard-earned money each year to keep the club’s coffers full. If you thought the stands were empty lately, imagine how they’ll look if we lose multiple A-grade players. Things could get ugly fast, and all the membership gains we’ve made over the last four years could be wiped out for another generation.

We’re talking about a once-in-a-generation player here, and we could lose him because this club can’t get its act together.

You might want to brush all these troubles under the carpet—issues that were evident in the preseason and have never gone away—but when stories like this come out, even from master click baiters like Morris, and the star player in question doesn’t immediately dismiss them and reaffirm his commitment to the club, it’s clear there’s a serious problem.

As of writing this, Trac still hasn’t done so, despite having plenty of opportunities. Therefore, supporters have every right to discuss this and not be swept under the rug.

Trac is in a no win situation. 
If he comes out and says I’m not going anywhere and I love the club, it minimizes and takes away from the seriousness of his issues. 

He obviously wants the club to hear and act on his concerns. Coming out and saying “but I won’t leave”, gives the club an out to do nothing to make the necessary changes.

Saying nothing is the right move for now.

He will undoubtedly do some media at some point and be asked about it. 

11 hours ago, John Crow Batty said:

Max has looked grumpy and frustrated most of the season. Not the laconic ebullient positivity of past seasons

What a beautifully, articulated sentence!

25 minutes ago, pewpewpew said:

The club put out a vague statement, essentially saying Trac is under contract, which politely suggests they intend to hold him to it. But what happens if he demands to go? If push comes to shove, I think we’d be forced to give in to his wishes.

Agreed.

I thought the statement was dismissive and somewhat disrespectful of Trac.  Focusing on a locked in contract is hardly the way to embrace someone.

There appears to have been little engagement between Trac and the club since KB other than a short appearance at the captain's run a week or two ago..  The image of him sitting anonymously on his own at the back of a bay rather than the coaches box last Saturday does little to allay my concerns.

He is part of the Connor's stable and Connor's gets his players to where they want to be. 

If not this year then next if things aren't sorted.

Edited August 13, 20241 yr by Lucifers Hero

10 minutes ago, pewpewpew said:

If there’s really nothing going on, then why hasn’t Trac come out and simply said, "I'm not going anywhere"?

The fanbase is in meltdown over a generational player who’s unhappy—just like the rest of us—with the club’s direction and how his injury has been handled. He has every right to be upset, and if he weren’t locked into a five-year contract, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already left.

The club put out a vague statement, essentially saying Trac is under contract, which politely suggests they intend to hold him to it. But what happens if he demands to go? If push comes to shove, I think we’d be forced to give in to his wishes.

Our captain, normally the most confident bloke I've seen, gave the most uncertain reassurance I've seen that Trac isn’t going anywhere.

Yes, the media and Morris thrive on clickbait, twisting stories to sell papers and generate clicks. But there’s clearly smoke here, and probably at least a brush fire.

Can this be resolved? Possibly. Will he leave this year? Who knows?

I get that Trac is unhappy—again, we all are—but if, as you say, there’s nothing to see here, why hasn’t he used his massive online platforms to make a statement? Maybe his silence is his statement. It could mean, "I’m not leaving, but I’m not happy, and until some changes are made, I’m staying silent." It’s all conjecture at this point.

The real issue is that the fanbase is in meltdown. This isn’t just happening on Demonland; it’s all over Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp groups, and at the dinner table.

We, as supporters, are key stakeholders. We pay our hard-earned money each year to keep the club’s coffers full. If you thought the stands were empty lately, imagine how they’ll look if we lose multiple A-grade players. Things could get ugly fast, and all the membership gains we’ve made over the last four years could be wiped out for another generation.

We’re talking about a once-in-a-generation player here, and we could lose him because this club can’t get its act together.

You might want to brush all these troubles under the carpet—issues that were evident in the preseason and have never gone away—but when stories like this come out, even from master click baiters like Morris, and the star player in question doesn’t immediately dismiss them and reaffirm his commitment to the club, it’s clear there’s a serious problem.

As of writing this, Trac still hasn’t done so, despite having plenty of opportunities. Therefore, supporters have every right to discuss this and not be swept under the rug.

Petracca might say something but I hope he doesn't.  Responding to Tom Morris gutter 'journalism ' only dignifies a [censored]. As for the club's statement.  Damned if if they did, damned if they don't. Press release ended any speculation.

8 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Trac is in a no win situation. 
If he comes out and says I’m not going anywhere and I love the club, it minimizes and takes away from the seriousness of his issues. 

He obviously wants the club to hear and act on his concerns. Coming out and saying “but I won’t leave”, gives the club an out to do nothing to make the necessary changes.

Saying nothing is the right move for now.

He will undoubtedly do some media at some point and be asked about it. 

Well said. 

10 minutes ago, Deelectable said:

Petracca might say something but I hope he doesn't.  Responding to Tom Morris gutter 'journalism ' only dignifies a [censored]. As for the club's statement.  Damned if if they did, damned if they don't. Press release ended any speculation.

I remember press releases that LJ was staying. Don’t take what the club says as Gospel 100% of the time. 

They are not going to come out and say yes, he asked for a trade - he is unhappy that we put him back on the field after his injury which nearly killed him. Our footy sucks, game plan is broken, other players are disheartened with the direction, our pre season didn’t hit the mark , so on and so on. 

No organisation in their right mind will admit their flaws, stuff ups and weaknesses publicly. 
 

But if you’re convinced there’s nothing to see here then I’m happy for you. I just don’t buy it so agree to disagree. 

 

This should have all been sorted behind closed doors, with Tracc firmly taking his concerns to the hierarchy. However that little grub Morris got hold of it, person responsible should be taken to the cleaners . He's an irrelevant reporter who desperately wants to run with the big boys so he'll pump up any information he gets even if it's completely out of context.

We clearly have a challenging situation here, there is no point denying it.

But denying that these situations never happen in footy clubs in silly talk as well. Point is that there is an issue here and the club now need to work through this challenge to get everyone on the same page again. This is what management is for.

I don't like hearing this talk as much as the next person but we can only trust the club to re-pitch to Trac that this is the best place to be, football wise, health wise etc. Like a long-term relationship sometimes commitment is a series of choices and re-choices along the way. 

45 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Agreed.

I thought the statement was dismissive and somewhat disrespectful of Trac.  Focusing on a locked in contract is hardly the way to embrace someone.

There appears to have been little engagement between Trac and the club since KB other than a short appearance at the captain's run a week or two ago..  The image of him sitting anonymously on his own at the back of a bay rather than the coaches box last Saturday does little to allay my concerns.

He is part of the Connor's stable and Connor's gets his players to where they want to be. 

If not this year then next if things aren't sorted.

From the vision I saw Trac was sitting in the back of the coaches box. 
Can anyone confirm?

29 minutes ago, Gawndy the Great said:

I remember press releases that LJ was staying. Don’t take what the club says as Gospel 100% of the time. 

They are not going to come out and say yes, he asked for a trade - he is unhappy that we put him back on the field after his injury which nearly killed him. Our footy sucks, game plan is broken, other players are disheartened with the direction, our pre season didn’t hit the mark , so on and so on. 

No organisation in their right mind will admit their flaws, stuff ups and weaknesses publicly. 
 

But if you’re convinced there’s nothing to see here then I’m happy for you. I just don’t buy it so agree to disagree. 

 

Fair enough but if there was a market available to place a wager on Petracca staying I would put plenty at $1.01.

Anyone know when Petracca was in Noosa?

When asked about Petracca, Max said something like: 'He has a 5 year contract and had been in Noosa and he plans to speak with Petracca soon'. 

Petracca was at the game on Saturday night.  The news broke on Monday.  Max was interviewed yesterday but seemingly there was no time for our captain to phone/text ...

I'm getting the impression there isn't much engagement happening between the club and Christian ...

Edited August 14, 20241 yr by Lucifers Hero

8 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

From the vision I saw Trac was sitting in the back of the coaches box. 
Can anyone confirm?

If that is the case I stand corrected.  I thought the commentator said at the back of a bay but may have misheard.

I reallllyyyy don't want to spend another offseason talking about whether Trac will stay/or not, and then whether he is truly committed, or seeing out a contract, or part of it, and as a result the ensuing scrutiny of our culture. We started 2024 with a spotlight on our culture - to the point where all our losses, or 'quiet games' from Clarry, or soft response games, were put down to poor culture. We have a very limited window to capitalise on Maxy/May - it's probably just 2025. ANB leaving does not help our chances, and other teams care catching/caught up/gone past us. We are going to have to make nothing but great decisions before the first bounce in 2025 to have a chance.

We need to convince the big names being talked about/on our shopping list (Houston, Callaghan etc) that we have our business together, and they will see success with us - and not be constantly harassed by the media for poor culture. It's a reality to say if those players have to decide between us (window closing, admittedly with some good junior talent - but not premiership winning, right now, junior talent), and the Hawks who are on the UP (frustratingly), with junior talent, and not a basket case, or Geelong (of course), they cannot be faulted for choosing other teams. We can't afford that. We have holes in the team that will need to be filled with plug and play stars. So if we are to be a chance next year, all of this [censored] has to stop NOW. I don't believe Morris, but it is quite possible Trac (and others, who knows?) has concerns that need to be sorted out - and it is evident, from our results and position this year, that things did not go to plan. Clearly some things were not sorted out in the 23-24 offseason (excluding the loss of Gus, of course - a big loss, and Trac later in the year). 

So, SORT THEM OUT NOW. Over to you, Roffey, Goody and Co. We have one chance here. We back you in, but I think there needs to be some ownership, accountability and forward thinking. 

GET US EXCITED!! 

Edited August 14, 20241 yr by Red But Mostly Blue

24 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Anyone know when Petracca was in Noosa?

When asked about Petracca, Max said something like: 'He has a 5 year contract and had been in Noosa and he plans to speak with Petracca soon'. 

Petracca was at the game on Saturday night.  The news broke on Monday.  Max was interviewed yesterday but seemingly there was no time for our captain to phone/text ...

I'm getting the impression there isn't much engagement happening between the club and Christian ...

He was in Noosa a couple of weeks ago with his fiancé. He was posting photos and clips on his socials  

2 minutes ago, Heart Beats True said:

He was in Noosa a couple of weeks ago with his fiancé. He was posting photos and clips on his socials  

All the more reason for Max's comment about not contacting Christian seem odd ...

Goody on Trac situation (from a few minutes in)

 

31 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

If that is the case I stand corrected.  I thought the commentator said at the back of a bay but may have misheard.

The shot of him had pretty dark lighting, anyone would have been forgiven for thinking it was at the Men's gallery. 

I reckon everybody needs to suck up the pain and grow up. Winning is tough, so let's get tough.

Trac unhappy that he was made to post socials? Some people are starving. Others are forced to wear bags on their heads to please a fictional being in the sky otherwise they are raped and murdered. Get a real problem, or if you insist it is a real problem, learn your lesson and do better next time.

Don't like the coach? Go somewhere else. We need people who are committed to the team.

etc...

 

32 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Anyone know when Petracca was in Noosa?

When asked about Petracca, Max said something like: 'He has a 5 year contract and had been in Noosa and he plans to speak with Petracca soon'. 

Petracca was at the game on Saturday night.  The news broke on Monday.  Max was interviewed yesterday but seemingly there was no time for our captain to phone/text ...

I'm getting the impression there isn't much engagement happening between the club and Christian ...

He was in Noosa for a couple of weeks, presumably once he was finally discharged from hospital.

He returned just prior to being photographed at training last week.

I heard him on the radio on his regular segments on NOVA and he was recuperating in Noosa while he couldn't run.

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

He was in Noosa for a couple of weeks, presumably once he was finally discharged from hospital.

He returned just prior to being photographed at training last week.

I heard him on the radio on his regular segments on NOVA and he was recuperating in Noosa while he couldn't run.

All the more reason why it seems odd Max hadn't talked with Christian between Saturday's game and yesterday.

Sick of people posting about sources and information they know -- name them if you've got it

Tom Morris: Hi Christian. 

ANB: It’s Alex.

Tom Morris: We hear you’ve requested a trade, you must be disenchanted and disillusioned with the club. 

ANB: No, not at all. The decision to request a trade is purely for family reasons. 

Tom Morris: But, if players weren’t happy or enthusiastic about being at the club, would you then say that they would be disenchanted and disillusioned?

ANB: I suppose so. 

Tom Morris: Sounds like you’re saying that if players weren’t happy at the club that they’d then be disenchanted and disillusioned?

ANB: …

Tom Morris: Thanks, Christian. 

Tom Morris: In an exclusive, I sat down with Christian Petracca, who, in a bombshell admission, confirms he has requested a trade. Tune in later to also hear rumblings from Christian about his thoughts on disillusioned and disenchanted players. 

 

Edited August 14, 20241 yr by Ethan Tremblay

12 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

All the more reason why it seems odd Max hadn't talked with Christian between Saturday's game and yesterday.

Yeah something odd there for sure. He did initially say they were in constant dialogue and later contradicted himself.