Jump to content

Farewell Alex Neal-Bullen

BAMF
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 
  • Author
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.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     

    Might be part of the Houston trade?

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    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 

  • Quote
    • Like 11
    • Thanks 2
    • Love 1

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

    Edited by godees

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 4
    • Sad 2

    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.

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1

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

  • Quote
    • Like 7
    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😡

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Angry 1
    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 3

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

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    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

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Sad 8

    So anyone still in denial about Trac? 
     

    Club is imploding before our very eyes. 

    Edited by Gawndy the Great

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Haha 2
    • Vomit 1

    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! 

  • Quote
    • Like 13
    • Thanks 1
    • Clap 5
    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 by Pirlo

  • Quote
    • Clap 1
    • Sad 1

    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.

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 10
    • Thanks 1
     

    [censored] that's ordinary.

    He is contracted but has been such a great clubman.

    Be interesting to see how we deal with that.

  • Quote
    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 by Gawndy the Great

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Haha 1
    • Clap 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • REPORT: North Melbourne

      I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Werribee

      The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

        • Thanks
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Carlton

      The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 159 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: North Melbourne

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 28 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

      The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

        • Haha
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 252 replies
      Demonland

    • VOTES: North Melbourne

      Max Gawn has an almost unassailable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award followed by Jake Bowey, Christian Petracca, Kozzy Pickett & Clayton Oliver. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1

        • Thanks
      • 41 replies
      Demonland
    View All