Not a joke.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/money-talks-premiership-demon-to-request-trade-20240812-p5k1rn.html

A Melbourne clubman has notified the Demons he would like to leave Victoria at the end of the season for family reasons.

someone please post the body of the article (there's a paywall)

Just now, Jhorse said:

someone please post the body of the article (there's a paywall)

All I could read was that he is requesting a trade to South Australia for family reasons before the paywall kicked in.

It’s ok, nobody panic it’s just the whole leadership wanting out.

Sorry to to see him go.

A big trade, draft and off season just got bigger.

Might be part of the Houston trade?

Will sting, but if it’s genuine would help him to get home. Lovely bloke met him a few times and wish him nothing but happiness 

Family reasons (recent baby). Still contracted for two years. Hopefully we can talk him around. Port and Adelaide playing cool for now.

Edited August 13, 20241 yr by godees

Here you go:

Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen has told the club he would like to return to South Australia at season’s end for family reasons.

His request is not related to any concerns about the club’s direction but based on the new father’s desire to be closer to family.

This masthead confirmed with two industry sources who wanted to remain anonymous that the 28-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, had made the request several weeks ago.

 

The Crows are understood to be aware of his desire to return to South Australia but have left the matter for Melbourne to work through. Port Adelaide are focused on securing free agents and retaining draft picks.

The news will come as a blow to the Demons, who released a statement on Tuesday following reports that Christian Petracca was disillusioned with the club’s direction saying the star midfielder was certain to remain with the club until at least the end of 2029.

CEO Gary Pert revealed they were engaging with players, coaches and staff to review the club’s football operations after a disappointing 2024. The Demons were contacted for comment.

The Crows are already targeting Gold Coast playmaker Jack Lukosius, two years after they lured fellow South Australian and draft peer Izak Rankine from the Suns.

Adelaide unsuccessfully pursued Neal-Bullen’s teammate, swingman Harry Petty, who is also from SA, in last year’s trade period. Petty recently re-signed with the Demons.

Neal-Bullen, who has taken on a bigger midfield role in Petracca’s absence through injury, played in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership and is rated highly internally. He signed a three-year deal in April last year.

His request is not related to any concerns about the club’s direction but based on the new father’s desire to be closer to family.

The 28-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, had made the request several weeks ago.

Not sure we’ll get much in return for him sadly. Love Nibbler 

What a year. Will leave a massive hole in players that bust a gut in our team. 

Just now, Clintosaurus said:

Might be part of the Houston trade?

Knowing Tim Lamb, he’ll give pick 6, Nibbler and a future 2nd and yet another club will compliment him on being really good to deal with😡

1 minute ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Not sure we’ll get much in return for him sadly. Love Nibbler 

If that’s the case, we simply can’t let him go.

Might get our own 2nd rounder back from the Crows if they're feeling very generous 

Good lord one of the positives of 2024 wants out. He's given his all for the club. Him and Angus along with Max are truly heart and soul players and now 2 will be gone. This will leave a big hole

Sigh. Well that's [censored].

 

So anyone still in denial about Trac? 
 

Club is imploding before our very eyes. 

Edited August 13, 20241 yr by Gawndy the Great

Damn I'd be devastated if that happens. He's become one of my favourite players.

Just now, Gawndy the Great said:

So anyone still in denial about Trac? 

It literally says it’s got nothing to do with it!

He just had a baby. He and his wife are both from SA. It’s probably a genuine request to be closer to family. 
Not everything is a [censored] conspiracy against the club for goodness sake! 

7 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

His request is not related to any concerns about the club’s direction but based on the new father’s desire to be closer to family.

The 28-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, had made the request several weeks ago.

Is it easier to get out under contract if you torch the coach, or is it easier if you defend him and ask for a favour in return? I guess we'll see this trade period, if either or both of them leave.

Edited August 13, 20241 yr by Pirlo

Losing Nibbler changes a lot; his leadership, footy smarts and onfield contribution is a huge loss which start to tip my opinion from top up to rebuild.

 

 

[censored] that's ordinary.

He is contracted but has been such a great clubman.

Be interesting to see how we deal with that.

2 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

It literally says it’s got nothing to do with it!

He just had a baby. He and his wife are both from SA. It’s probably a genuine request to be closer to family. 
Not everything is a [censored] conspiracy against the club for goodness sake! 

It 100% has to do with whatever is going on. It’s all to do with timing. 

Edited August 13, 20241 yr by Gawndy the Great