Farewell Alex Neal-Bullen

[Older demon 2,736]

I am sad to hear this but family comes first. I often run into him at the local supermarket where he usually does the shopping. He is a great person who has copped more than his fair share of criticism on this platform. He has had a breakout season and will poll well in the B&F. He has been a great servant of the club played 170 odd games and is a premiership player.

We have all assumed that the club will grant his request from the comments here. If so his send-off game will be against the Pies so I hope he gives them hell that day.

[Heart Beats True 1,166]

[FreedFromDesire 916]

This one has honestly knocked the wind out of me a bit.

No issue whatsoever with the request. This young man has done nothing but work hard and be all class as a person since the day he joined the club. Helped win us a flag. It feels like he's paid his dues. Plus, I think the vast majority of us can understand the pressures that would be there with being new parents in a city with no family support whatsoever. He's made what would be a very difficult decision that is best for his child's upbringing and his relationship. You wouldn't expect anything less from such a fantastic person.

You can't replace him as a person. It doesn't matter what draft pick we get. This is a huge loss from a leadership and culture perspective at a time where we can not afford to be losing those qualities.

[BoBo 2,941]

5 minutes ago, John Crow Batty said:

With all the [censored] going on will Houston now want to come to us?

That's where my mind went. Legitimate or not, how much do we *look* like a basket case right now to outsiders? With all the stuff being reported over the last couple years (again, legitimate or not), I question if there's many players that hear Melbourne and think 'destination club'.

 

[Jaded No More 68,835]

4 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

He will likely nominate a club when we get closer to the trade window. 

Or, and hear me out, he wants the best for the club and is just happy for us to accommodate a trade so he can move closer to home. 
He is contracted, means we hold the power. We won’t screw him over, and he won’t screw us over. 

[loges 6,767]

It's amazing how many posters on here quickly default to the worst case scenario.

[Deelectable 1,043]

Really looking forward to the trade period.  Our finals series!!

[Redleg 40,775]

3 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

We didn’t have an unwell baby but our first was very challenging. Being 2hrs flight (+ travel on each end ) is a large barrier to calling and seeing if someone can come around from 15 mins away. 

Thats true.

I actually live about 500m from each of my kids and their families and it made helping, babysitting, school pick ups etc very easy.

I fully understand and accept Nibbler’s trade request.

Perhaps being replaced by Houston will make it less upsetting for Dees fans.

The club has also signalled the need to change and improve if we are to win a flag again.

[layzie 33,724]

Something is not right at the club right now. Constant leaks are not something that just happen, it is a sign that not everyone is on the same page on and off the field. You have to question the motive that they had to leak this news THIS WEEK.

There will be people happy to say all is well at the club but this is certainly a blip and trust is being breached by a rat in the ranks.

[seventyfour 1,121]

Absolutely shocked, gutted, way too many other words come to mind. Cannot believe it. Heart and soul player, always loved the way he would grab his guernsey on the chest when kicking a big goal.

Can't believe it.

Hopefully it's Port so we can use it for Houston....

[bobby1554 1,244]

Might be a prudent time to remind everyone that Petty, Windsor, Tholstrup, Tuner, Langdon (have I missed anyone?), have recommitted to the club this year

[Demonland 71,112]

36 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

It came out today as the result of a leak. 

One of the issues this club needs to resolve is this right here.

Also fixing the footy stuff too. That's number one.

But leaks are definitely up there.

[Spargonicus 539]

I’m happy to step in to replace Nibbler. I’m over 50, ex sub-district 1sts cricketer and played up to u13 footy (A grade, mind you).

But I’ve got no tank - 100m jog really tests me. I have good hand to eye coordination. Good kicking technique (but max 35m and that would test the hammy).

[Earl Hood 6,078]

Looks like the Club is going to go into an involuntary list rebuild in 2025. Brayshaw out, Smith delisted, now ANB traded, end of the road for BBB, Hunter, Schache, Tomlinson likely wanting out? Then there are plenty questioning Oliver’s future at the club and Tracc’s future, which I think is a beat up. That’s 7 and more assuming TMac and Melk want to go on, Spargo physically can go on and that there won’t be a few other fringe players like Sestan and FHW delisted. That looks like a rebuild. 
 

Of course this situation could be a fantastic opportunity for renewal, if we give JT maximum opportunity to draft in young talent through the Main and the Rookie drafts and minimise Lamb’s ability to trade away draft picks to get up the order or to bring in recycled, NQR players! 

[loges 6,767]

44 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Place is TOTALLY IMPLODING ! CACTUS DELECTI Methinks

Well you certainly are.

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

5 minutes ago, Deelectable said:

Really looking forward to the trade period.  Our finals series!!

Comforting to be back in familiar territory. 

[Demonland 71,112]

2 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

Might be a prudent time to remind everyone that Petty, Windsor, Tholstrup, Tuner, Langdon (have I missed anyone?), have recommitted to the club this year

Sparrow & JVR

[Earl Hood 6,078]

2 minutes ago, Spargonicus said:

I’m happy to step in to replace Nibbler. I’m over 50, ex sub-district 1sts cricketer and played up to u13 footy (A grade, mind you).

But I’ve got no tank - 100m jog really tests me. I have good hand to eye coordination. Good kicking technique (but max 35m and that would test the hammy).

Don’t call us, we will call you. 

[DeeZone 9,535]

28 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

It IS for family reasons!!!

 I know it would please some on here to add this to the we’re [censored] file, so I’m sorry to disappoint:

It’s been a consideration of his family for months.

It only came out today because of a leak to the media.

Please try to get this through your head. 

Don’t fret WCW some get it and some refuse to accept it, Nibbler will be hard to replace so will his mother in the Cheer Squad, she was a real personality in our run to the finals and our Granny in ‘21.

[Jaded No More 68,835]

Just now, Demonland said:

Sparrow & JVR

Kosi 

[Engorged Onion 10,199]

This thread is like having a euology before you die. Brilliant.

Good to see the love from most of the posters. 

[Redleg 40,775]

1 minute ago, bobby1554 said:

Might be a prudent time to remind everyone that Petty, Windsor, Tholstrup, Tuner, Langdon (have I missed anyone?), have recommitted to the club this year

But we are falling apart.

We lost to the team that beat Sydney by 19 goals a week earlier by 2 points, with several sick players playing and several others not playing, either sick or injured, while our opponent, was virtually at full strength and fighting for top 4.

Yep, we are finished.

[Nascent 9,054]

We will miss him. From the outside looking in appears to be a genuine leader and hard worker. Seems like a top bloke off the field as well. Considering what he has given us, I hope we won't stand in his way of his desire to be closer to family.

In regards to trade value, 2nd rounder seems reasonable. If tied into a Houston trade, I could see it being ANB plus f1st for Houston and f2nd.

Edited August 13 by Nascent

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

3 minutes ago, Demonland said:

One of the issues this club needs to resolve is this right here.

Also fixing the footy stuff too. That's number one.

But leaks are definitely up there.

I thought we had good form on managing leaks recently. 

[Demonland 71,112]

Tomo at The Tan Track for the time trial on hearing this news.