How many home games do GC play in Darwin? I am sure the AFL could manipulate something to make sure they lure KP.

1 hour ago, ANG13 said:

How many home games do GC play in Darwin? I am sure the AFL could manipulate something to make sure they lure KP.

Two per year but it’s understood Gold Coast are trying to reduce that to one game or even none.

11 hours ago, bing181 said:

Add to that by the time he signed we'd lost Gus and probably knew we'd be losing ANB. We needed stability and leadership around the place (confirmed when you see what has happened over the last 6 months). Also worth remembering that in the year that he re-signed he won the Bluey as our best player.

Some people seem to have learned nothing from the moving on of James McDonald.

The McDonald situation was completely different. We weren't pushing Viney out, he was still contracted. He was the one exploring a trade to North and we extended him unnecessarily. We should have told him he is required but if he wished to explore his options that was up to him. We could've offered a one year extension not 3.

Chalk and cheese.

12 hours ago, Demonland said:

It's a nice change from Danger constantly complaining about games and seasons being too long.

If Kozzy wanted to leave to be closer to Darwin , could we possibly trade Kozzy for Butters? Hope it doesn't come to this though

1 hour ago, DemonJack 14 said:

If Kozzy wanted to leave to be closer to Darwin , could we possibly trade Kozzy for Butters? Hope it doesn't come to this though

Does anyone know if Kos is back and training today?

11 minutes ago, Rednblueriseing said:

Does anyone know if Kos is back and training today?

I thought he was due back tomorrow...

1 hour ago, rjay said:

I thought he was due back tomorrow...

This evening

A series of meetings between the club’s hierarchy, welfare team and his manager this week has the club confident he will take on St Kilda and find a way to manage the early months of the season.

Pickett flew to Darwin earlier in the week to be with his daughter Belleny after a separation from his partner in recent weeks but is expected to fly back into Melbourne on Thursday night.

It would allow him to train on Friday and Saturday and then play against St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday, with all signs pointing to a debut for his housemate and cousin Latrelle.

The club’s highest-paid player is on a $12.5 million deal that extends to nine seasons.

The 24-year-old had been thrilled to be so close to first-round draftee Latrelle Pickett across summer and had put in a flawless summer that meant he was in career-best shape.

Pickett’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen has been in town meeting with Melbourne across the weekend and putting in place preliminary plans for the weeks and months ahead.

The best-case scenario is that Pickett doesn’t miss early-season games but is able to make quick trips north before returning for the main training sessions across the week.

The Demons bye is in round 16, but they do have an eight-day break after Adelaide’s Gather Round clash leading into round 6 and an eight-day break leading into round 8.

Having signed a new seven-year contract extension Pickett had finally committed to spending his AFL career in Melbourne and the club’s drafting of Latrelle only solidified that view.

It is a far-from-ideal lead-in to a debut game for Latrelle but the No. 12 draft selection has taken the pre-season in his stride.

Coach Steven King said on Wednesday the club would work with Pickett throughout the season to help him return to Darwin when required.

“Kozzie needed to get back for family reasons and I fully support any father at our club to make sure they get to support their family. It was a no-brainer for us,’ King said.

“He will play (on Sunday). I want to provide flexibility for our staff and players. Family is equally or more important than a game of footy, and we can make the two coexist.”

Demons captain Max Gawn said on Thursday he was confident Pickett would play against St Kilda.

“I get why it’s news because he’s the best player in our team. His family is in Darwin. My family is in Malvern, so it’s easier for me. So he’s had to go back to Darwin,” Gawn said.

“It’s a real mature decision from all involved, and ideally, he’s back tonight for our training session tomorrow. Nothing to see here, it’s just unlucky his family is four hours away on a flight.”

Melbourne has plotted an early-season plan for Kysaiah Pickett to regularly fly north to see his one-year-old daughter without missing AFL games as he prepares to play alongside relative Latrelle Pickett on Sunday.

A series of meetings between the club’s hierarchy, welfare team and his manager this week has the club confident he will take on St Kilda and find a way to manage the early months of the season.

Pickett flew to Darwin earlier in the week to be with his daughter Belleny after a separation from his partner in recent weeks but is expected to fly back into Melbourne on Thursday night.

It would allow him to train on Friday and Saturday and then play against St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday, with all signs pointing to a debut for his housemate and cousin Latrelle.

9 hours ago, DemonJack 14 said:

If Kozzy wanted to leave to be closer to Darwin , could we possibly trade Kozzy for Butters? Hope it doesn't come to this though

How late is no more closer to Darwin men Melbourne is still a freaking long flight

9 hours ago, DemonJack 14 said:

If Kozzy wanted to leave to be closer to Darwin , could we possibly trade Kozzy for Butters? Hope it doesn't come to this though

Adelaide is no closer to Darwin then Melbourne is it's still a long flight

23 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Kane's criticism of Lamb is fair albeit with a few facts incorrect (like the Petty for first rounders). The decision to extend Viney made absolutely no sense and I think that will burn us in the end.

Clayton's deal at the time seemed completely reasonable but the due diligence by the club (not sure if that's Lamb's accountability or a shared one) was clearly not done properly.

There are times when we would have been effed without the hope and heart VINEY has given us, how do we know the extension wasn’t part of a handshake deal to reward a player that might have taken unders across the journey to allow some other fat contracts. VINEY has put himself through hell to be on the park and played like a lion, he is in the same category of heart as a Selwood, not pointing at you in particular but anyone going at the VINEY contract, pause and consider and maybe allow that there was more going on here. Rant over.

22 hours ago, The Cult of Disco Turner said:

Went to grad school with Darcy, was always a smart and well spoken guy—glad to see he’s in a position to make use of those traits.

Just curious but what is Grad school? I did VCE a 1000 years ago, he does present well though doesn’t he, still hate Collingwood though.

Jon Ralph just confirmed that Kozzy is currently on his way back to Melbourne and will play on Sunday.

Latrelle expected to debut

13 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

Just curious but what is Grad school? I did VCE a 1000 years ago, he does present well though doesn’t he, still hate Collingwood though.

Graduate degree

9 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Jon Ralph just confirmed that Kozzy is currently on his way back to Melbourne and will play on Sunday.

Latrelle expected to debut

Behaving like a mature football club, makes for a nice change. I’d fly Matty Whelan up with him for support and to run him through his training schedule.

Kozzie is playing and that is good news.

On 11/03/2026 at 11:43, fr_ap said:

Perth to Darwin is 3.5 hours.

Melb to Darwin is 4.5 hours.

Ugh.

On 11/03/2026 at 11:43, fr_ap said:

Perth to Darwin is 3.5 hours.

Melb to Darwin is 4.5 hours.

Ugh.

Panic, his definitely going to Fremantle now it's going to save one hour a week in plane travel how ridiculous you are

Great leadership and care from King and the club. It's not a sustainable situation long term but these flights will get Kozzi through the horrible part he is going through.

Any chance Wonna will present Latrelle with his #33 jersey? Or maybe Big Byron?

On 11/03/2026 at 15:46, poita said:

Just so I'm clear, he doesn't even start his new contract for another two years, but there are already questions regarding his willingness to stay in Melbourne? Cool bananas.

This is about the most ridiculous post ever, who said he wasn't willing to stay in Melbourne? no other team is a better fit when he's partners in Darwin, unless the Northern Territory gets a team next year there are no questions

3 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Great leadership and care from King and the club. It's not a sustainable situation long term but these flights will get Kozzi through the horrible part he is going through.

Any chance Wonna will present Latrelle with his #33 jersey? Or maybe Big Byron?

It has to be a long term situation if his family remain in Darwin.

Media cretin lacks a basic level of respect for Kozzie. I hope this fires him up and he plays a blinder.