Farewell Alex Neal-Bullen

[Mike 302]

Feeling devastated by this one. Big fan of Nibbler. Real heart and soul player.

Can't help but think we're about due for some good news.

[MoeSyzlak 669]

Can someone explain to me how he can say he is going before a deal has been done that satisfies the club, given he is under contract?

Surely we can hold him to the contract if we choose? 

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

11 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m fine with letting him go and even acknowledging the trade request before the final round.

But you got to play the trade week games and get the best deal. That’s the business. 

Why are we acting like he’s a free agent? 

Tim Lamb gets offered peanuts from the South Australian clubs, how is he meant to hold out for a real offer now?

Is there any chance an in principal deal's already been made in a Houston swap?

[Ted Lasso 19,323]

Just now, MoeSyzlak said:

Can someone explain to me how he can say he is going before a deal has been done that satisfies the club, given he is under contract?

Surely we can hold him to the contract if we choose? 

The club is signaling that we won't play hard ball on Alex and will work to get the deal done, my suspicion is that he will be a piece of the Dan Houston deal and this is already informally agreed between the MFC and PAFC 

[buck_nekkid 5,847]

When he kicked his goal on Saturday night, the screen had his DE at 53%.

He is an elite runner, and a great team man.  If we can replace him with elite disposal and decision making, we may be better off in the long term.

He goes as a premiership hero.  He goes with my best wishes and a hope we can get an OK retrurn in the trade period.

[DeeSpencer 25,481]

2 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Is there any chance an in principal deal's already been made in a Houston swap?

I hope so, and I’d trust Port to be reasonable. Adelaide certainly aren’t. 

[Vagg 2,439]

1 hour ago, Ollie fan said:

 My memory tells me that when he started he was one of two or three players that arrived at about the same time, none of whom were particularly skilled or outstanding. The others have dropped by the wayside but Nibbler found/was given a role that suited him perfectly -

Yes, he and his great mate Stretch Jnr were drafted together.  I had great hopes that Stretch Jnr would follow in his Dad's footsteps.  Alas, was not to be.  But, Nibbler hung in there, and became the great servant that he is.  Will be missed.

[Jaded No More 68,867]

4 minutes ago, MoeSyzlak said:

Can someone explain to me how he can say he is going before a deal has been done that satisfies the club, given he is under contract?

Surely we can hold him to the contract if we choose? 

I doubt he made this decision yesterday 

The club would have known and has probably already been talking to both SA clubs on a deal. Likely something to do with Dan Houston. 

Obviously the club and Nibbler wanted to keep this under wraps until the end of the season, but of course someone inside the 4 walls is a rat and let it out. Very uncool!

[layzie 33,752]

9 minutes ago, John Demonic said:

Peter Walsh to Port? I must've missed that one. As a kid, he was there and then he was not haha.

Though I do remember being disappointed that we only got pick 10(?) for Scott Thompson who looked like he would be our best player for a decade

 

Haha yeah bit of a footnote in history JD. We traded him for something like pick 45 so he could get more game time elsewhere. 

The Scott Thompson one did hurt. It all came together before he got hurt in that 04 season, we got Beamer out of it but Scotty was a super player. 

[manny100 1,501]

ANB has been a great clubman and player for us. Now it's all about maximising our return.

We paid a 2nd rounder for McAdam and ANB is way better Imo. 

 

[layzie 33,752]

17 minutes ago, MoeSyzlak said:

Can someone explain to me how he can say he is going before a deal has been done that satisfies the club, given he is under contract?

Surely we can hold him to the contract if we choose? 

I'd say he's just signalled his intentions for the moment Moe. Unfortunately for him this has been leaked out.

We could absolutely hold him to his contract and for many other players I'd expect it but I can't see the club doing that with Alex, not after everything he's given us.

Good footy clubs do the right things for good people, Nibbler will be a Demon for life. 

Edited August 13 by layzie

[spirit of norm smith 16,298]

Love the NIBBLER ❤️💙🏆

but we have to move on

Too early ?? 

option 1 

ANB to Crows

Crows 2nd round to Gold Coast

Jack Lukosius to Dees
 

option 2 

ANB to Crows

Crows 2nd round to dees 

 

option 3 

deal with Port … part of a Houston move ?

 

Edited August 13 by spirit of norm smith
H

[Die Hard Demon 1,224]

Genuinely gutted. What great timing to get the eff out of a club with growing concerns though. Well played Nibbler - Good luck to him in his chapter. 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,193]

10 hours ago, Young Blood said:

Yes he's a role player, but the level of intensity and incredible aerobic ability this guy has at good pace is elite. 11th in the comp for pressure acts this year. None of the above players you mention have the tank that ANB has (besides Laurie who doesn't have the agility/speed to play as a pressure forward). Its going to take a while for those guys to build the leadership qualities that Nibbler has.

I don't think its going to be a simple task replacing one of the best pressure forwards in the comp along with his experience.

I agree wholeheartedly, the opportunity is there though for someone to grab.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,193]

10 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Swans got 33 for Adams last year. Was a rubbish draft but Nibbler's healthier, better. If anyone wants him it has to be a 2nd. Otherwise, sorry Alex, you signed the contract.

The comms from the club suggest we won't be holding him to the contract. It's clear he won't be at the Demons next year, I hope we can get a 2nd but I'm not holding my breath.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

9 hours ago, DemonWA said:

Contracts are contracts. Sorry, but Nibbler gets the Petty treatment imo. Stay your 2 years that you signed for and tough it out

 

31 minutes ago, MoeSyzlak said:

Can someone explain to me how he can say he is going before a deal has been done that satisfies the club, given he is under contract?

Surely we can hold him to the contract if we choose? 

Yes, contracts are indeed contracts. And like any contract, if both parties agree, a contract can be amended or terminated. Holding players to their contracts sounds like tough action, but do we really want to be a club that does that? Would that harm our chances of attracting quality players in the future? If I were Dan Houston, I wouldn't want to come to a club that treated one of its loyal servants so badly. 

[Colm 2,090]

4 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

The comms from the club suggest we won't be holding him to the contract. It's clear he won't be at the Demons next year, I hope we can get a 2nd but I'm not holding my breath.

I think the deal has already been done and he will be involved in the Houston trade. Doesn’t make sense for us to be so public that he won’t be playing for us next year otherwise. 

[demon3165 2,711]

Good servant and played his role, but a chance to get some speed and skill into the midfield...

[jumbo returns 6,740]

7 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Good servant and played his role, but a chance to get some speed and skill into the midfield...

This ^^

[leave it to deever 17,511]

Id hate to see him leave but for reasons I accept it's only fair .

Wouldn't be easy having a young family and living istate.

Do we start to think twice about istate players.

They obviously come with this risk.

We lost Jackson and haven't really replaced him.

I guess you just have to roll the dice on them anyway.

Anb has been worth the risk for sure.

I feel like the wheels are starting to fall off the club. Started with Gus and it keeps going.

Interestingly, Nibbler has been somewhat inconsistent this season. Has been a good player as usual but I'd argue down on his best.

 

Edited August 13 by leave it to deever

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Throughout his playing career Neal-Bullen has selflessly played to take the pressure off Petracca by doing the hard running, taking the hits and providing options. And now, off the field, Nibbler has again helped Petracca out by taking the heat which was otherwise being directed Petracca's way regarding allegations of his (Petracca's) alleged unhappiness with the club.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,778]

Really disappointed like most on here.

Not for the first time during last Saturday night's game I was reflecting on how much of an accomplished and competent player ANB's become. One of those players that genuinely improves year on year. Port or Adelaide are getting a very good ready to go player next year.

I can't recall a final round game where club supporters will be able to say good bye to their player with the knowledge that they will be playing for another club rather than retirement.

[jumbo returns 6,740]

6 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Throughout his playing career Neal-Bullen has selflessly played to take the pressure off Petracca by doing the hard running, taking the hits and providing options. And now, off the field, Nibbler has again helped Petracca out by taking the heat which was otherwise being directed Petracca's way regarding allegations of his (Petracca's) alleged unhappiness with the club.

Romantic summary

[jumbo returns 6,740]

Just now, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Really disappointed like most on here.

Not for the first time during last Saturday night's game I was reflecting on how much of an accomplished and competent player ANB's become. One of those players that genuinely improves year on year. Port or Adelaide are getting a very good ready to go player next year.

I can't recall a final round game where club supporters will be able to say good bye to their player with the knowledge that they will be playing for another club rather than retirement.

Peter Moore

Earl Spalding

Jeff Farmer

Luke Jackson

[sue 9,096]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m fine with letting him go and even acknowledging the trade request before the final round.

But you got to play the trade week games and get the best deal. That’s the business. 

Why are we acting like he’s a free agent? 

Tim Lamb gets offered peanuts from the South Australian clubs, how is he meant to hold out for a real offer now?

Maybe discussions about deals haven been going on positively already, so the appearance of acting like a 'free agent' is a mirage.

Edit: I see a number of posters have made this point earlier.

Edited August 13 by sue