Farewell Alex Neal-Bullen

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,587]

The window is shut and the rebuild begins. That is the direction some folk aren't happy with. 

[roy11 3,799]

28 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Gotta disagree with you on this one. All things being equal, if this was four years ago, he would take his partner and baby girl back home regardless of how the club was going. You said yourself that “ANB would be a family first man.” And he is. 

Ultimate clubman to his #1 club, his family. 

[Demonsone 2,021]

Goodwin midweek presser will be interesting answering questions on Trac & ANB

[BAMF 4,229]

5 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Particularly insidious that they leaked it at this point in time when they likely have known about it for at least a couple of weeks. 

Nibbler would have flagged it early with the club to allow us time to organise a suitable trade with the relevant club to allow for a quick trade. Trade week is a ****show if you leave it late and risks not getting it done.

We would have been in talks with other clubs by now. Which means the leak could have come from anywhere.

[Young Blood 2,436]

1 minute ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

The window is shut and the rebuild begins. That is the direction some folk aren't happy with. 

Are they not allowed to be unhappy if this is to be the case?

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,284]

Good opportunity for Laurie next year. He was right up there in the running over the off season so if he has a big preseason could be the first option as a replacement. Spargo probably also in the mix if he can get fit.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,032]

2 hours ago, Gawndy the Great said:

BS. Think about requesting a trade this week. This week of all weeks. After JV, Trac have all been linked with moves. 
 

If it was genuine for family reasons make it known once the season ends, heck wait until next week.
 

To do it now not 1 day after the Trac statement is for all to see. 

The article says he spoke to the club about this week's ago.

So why is it in the media today? Who leaked it? And what is their agenda?

[BrisbaneDemon 1,564]

The scary thing is we continue to let talent leave the club and we’re not bettering or even matching that talent level.  All our role players and depth has left I.e Bedford, hunt, pig retiring, Jordan, Jetta retiring, Jones retiring, Guy retiring, LJ leaving.

if the club continues to let Tim Lamb decimate the playing list by not replacing experienced players, we’ll continue to be bottom 4 and fighting with Tassie like we did with GC and GWS.

 

this is [censored] depressing….

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,284]

1 minute ago, BrisbaneDemon said:

The scary thing is we continue to let talent leave the club and we’re not bettering or even matching that talent level.  All our role players and depth has left I.e Bedford, hunt, pig retiring, Jordan, Jetta retiring, Jones retiring, Guy retiring, LJ leaving.

if the club continues to let Tim Lamb decimate the playing list by not replacing experienced players, we’ll continue to be bottom 4 and fighting with Tassie like we did with GC and GWS.

 

this is [censored] depressing….

As sad as we are at Nibbler leaving, this isn’t on Tim Lamb? You can blame him and Taylor for some other choices but not this one. He is signed up don’t forget, so theoretically we could just say no. Can’t see us doing that but we aren’t just going to give him away.

[DeelightfulPlay 2,536]

Omg, my bestie moved to the UK and literally left Australia yesterday.  Her (only) favourite AFL player... Nibbler!!  What timing...

[layzie 33,585]

10 minutes ago, Binmans PA said:

Losing the leadership of Gus and now ANB will be huge. A vacuum will need to be filled.

I haven't felt this bad about leadership going out the door since Junior Mac.

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,284]

8 minutes ago, BAMF said:

Nibbler would have flagged it early with the club to allow us time to organise a suitable trade with the relevant club to allow for a quick trade. Trade week is a ****show if you leave it late and risks not getting it done.

We would have been in talks with other clubs by now. Which means the leak could have come from anywhere.

Makes you wonder if the reports of Houston being our target was potentially linked to ANB leaving? 

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,663]

51 minutes ago, DubDee said:

These are the type of things that happen to teams not in premiership contention. No way Nibbler does this 4 years ago. I am not doubting the reason is genuine, just that he wouldn’t leave if we were a chance to win a flag next year 

Brace yourselves Demon fans 

That's what everyone associated with the club is fearing and the board also, back to the dark old days.

 

[BrisbaneDemon 1,564]

4 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

As sad as we are at Nibbler leaving, this isn’t on Tim Lamb? You can blame him and Taylor for some other choices but not this one. He is signed up don’t forget, so theoretically we could just say no. Can’t see us doing that but we aren’t just going to give him away.

Nibbler leaving is not on Lamb, finding a better replacement or even matching nibbler is on Lamb.  Personally since 2021, our list has continued to get worse, our trade in replacements haven’t worked and have made us a lesser team, 

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,284]

4 minutes ago, BrisbaneDemon said:

Nibbler leaving is not on Lamb, finding a better replacement or even matching nibbler is on Lamb.  Personally since 2021, our list has continued to get worse, our trade in replacements haven’t worked and have made us a lesser team, 

Agree with that

[jumbo returns 6,736]

57 minutes ago, DubDee said:

does it [censored] you when a player does that and then they get delisted?

ANB would be a family first man. i respect that. 

Don’t care

Good for you 😘

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,663]

Sir Alex Ferguson had a mantra that when he won the league he always strengthened for the following season to "keep on top of the competition."

We didn't do this at all in our so called window after the 2021 premiership.

2022 and 2023 we completely dropped the ball and failed to strengthen areas of weaknesses.

Hawks did it in 13,14,15 Tigers after 2017 for 19,20.

No mention of Clarry in all of theses shenanigans!

Edited August 13 by YesitwasaWin4theAges

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,664]

1377 individuals have played one or more games for our club. Assuming ANB plays the final two this year, he'll be equal 35th on games played along with John Beckwith and Salem (if he also plays the last two).

He absolutely deserves our thanks and best wishes.

 

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,766]

10 years, a Premiership, and a lot of hard, two-way running for the Dees

I will miss him ❤️💙

[Dr. Gonzo 24,032]

I'm a big fan of ANB but won't begrudge him going. His goal in the 2021 GF was the one that let me relax knowing we would win.

Great servant of the club but let's be realistic, he is a role player not a matchwinner. And that's not to denigrate him, he is a bloody good role player but not irreplaceable. ANB leaving won't be the difference between whether we can challenge again in 2025 or not. Gives an opportunity for someone to put in the hard yards over preseason and become that gut runner, defensive forward, linkup type player. Could be Chandler, Spargo, Sparrow, Laurie, Brown etc

I also wouldn't be banking on a big return for a 29yo role player, we may get a 2nd but more likely a 3rd I would've thought, especially with the SA clubs holding the whip hand knowing he has requested a trade back home. They may not be that keen about him one way or the other, like yeah they would take him but they're not going to give up much for him if you know what I mean. I would assume we would try and accommodate him returning home so would likely take unders to get the deal done.

Edited August 13 by Dr. Gonzo

[DeeSpencer 25,206]

7 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I also wouldn't be banking on a big return for a 29yo role player, we may get a 2nd but more likely a 3rd I would've thought, especially with the SA clubs holding the whip hand knowing he has requested a trade back home. They may not be that keen about him one way or the other, like yeah they would take him but they're not going to give up much for him if you know what I mean. I would assume we would try and accommodate him returning home so would likely take unders to get the deal done.

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.

[Young Blood 2,436]

17 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I'm a big fan of ANB but won't begrudge him going. His goal in the 2021 GF was the one that let me relax knowing we would win.

Great servant of the club but let's be realistic, he is a role player not a matchwinner. And that's not to denigrate him, he is a bloody good role player but not irreplaceable. ANB leaving won't be the difference between whether we can challenge again in 2025 or not. Gives an opportunity for someone to put in the hard yards over preseason and become that gut runner, defensive forward, linkup type player. Could be Chandler, Spargo, Sparrow, Laurie, Brown etc

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.

Edited August 13 by Young Blood

[Ethan Tremblay 30,604]

Screw the superstars. If you were fighting in the trenches, Nibbler is the person you’d want beside you. 

[Where Demons Dare 120]

Brayshaw and Nibbler born on the same day leaving the club in the same year. A little bit eerie. 

[Pennant St Dee 12,867]

3 hours ago, praha said:

He signed on for three more years in April 2023. He'd have known a baby was on the way. 

I know a lot can happen in a year and half, hell I was excited to start my new job in June 2023 and now I'm looking for the door. But he'd had ten years on the place prior to signing.

Sorry but somethink stinks. I'm sure his reason is genuine but seems like a "may as well at this point" scenario.

Ever had a new mum struggling and needed to make a work decision to give her a support network she trusts. I have, may not be relevant to this decision but having some life experience helps me to look at all possibilities.

Not saying there aren’t issues within the 4 walls but ffs try and keep open mind