I think the notion of club loyalty - playing for the jumper and all that rah rah stuff - is worth interrogating.

First, the culture when one played for his/her suburb and the jumper was tattooed to the back is long gone. Clubs treat the players as ‘livestock’ to trade at will when they perceive gains are to be made. Coaches are sacked at will - I didn’t want Goodwin in the first place but he was poorly dealt with in the end. New Presidents and CEOs who have no history of supporting the club (for example, Roffey, Pert) swan in because of some corporate network connections and suddenly pretend they are ‘Dees for Life’. I could go on.

Second, I wonder how many people on this forum who are denigrating Christian Petracca have had the scale of internal injuries that he incurred during that Collingwood encounter? It was a serious injury to multiple parts of his body and he would have been in agonising pain. But he still, ill advisedly, went back on to play in his No 5 jumper which I suggest tells you about his commitment. Then he was hospitalised and in serious condition and the ‘Dee for Life’ President couldn’t even be bothered communicating with him as I understand. Commitment goes two ways.

I do think that he needs to adapt to the new style of game and improve his kicking - perhaps by taking more time - and that might justify swapping him to another club. But justifying getting ‘rid of him’ because he is arrogant and doesn’t love the jumper is a preposterous sentiment in this modern age where the love of $s and image outstrips everything. He is just part of that culture that dominates the sport.

1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Players have too much power, this should be included in all new contracts for players moving fwd.

Danga and the AFLPA will never allow that to happen. Don't be silly

30 minutes ago, john delosa said:

Calling a bloke who almost died wearing our jumper ‘toxic’ is cheap. Easy to sit behind a keyboard and forget he’s carried this side through games where others went missing, and finished 2nd in the B&F only a few weeks ago. If that’s ‘not backing it up,’ then half the comp should be ashamed. Trade him for pennies? That’s how you destroy culture, not save it. Respect goes both ways.

Finishing second in this year’s BnF isn’t the metric you think it is. We were horrible most of the year. Might as well have put on a blindfold and thrown at a dartboard to decide who got awards after Max.

You say respect goes both ways? Well we have shown respect by committing to him long term and setting him up financially for life. What have we got in return? Trac looking to leave the team we have tried to build around him.

I am mostly disappointed by the fact that when the club went off the rails last few seasons, I expected Trac to step up and be the leader we needed to navigate us through that patch. Instead he’s thrown his toys out of the cot.

I completely disagree we mishandled trac’s injury. Players get sent back on the field after heavy hits regularly. It’s unfortunate what happened, but the club didn’t mishandle anything.

We have new leadership across the board and are poised to enter our next chapter. Now is the time I expect our highest paid player to affirm his intentions, address the media speculation and get on with being the leader he needs to be. Instead we have uncertainty still.

If trading Trac for pennies means more salary cap to spend on the guys that wanna be on the bus, then I’m all for it.

The surest way to lose talent and negatively effect culture in any organisation is to excuse and accept the below-standard behaviours of their top performers.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Smokey

13 hours ago, Smokey said:

All well and good, but I don't really care to be honest. He has become a narcissist and is a very poor example for our younger players. He gets paid too much to hold our great club at ransom the way he has been last few years and he doesn't even back it up with consistent performance on the field.

Trac has become toxic for our culture, [censored] him off for pennies on the dollar for all I care.

Funny how you call him a narcissist while showing zero empathy for a bloke who nearly died in the jumper. Sounds like projection to me.

15 hours ago, sue said:

It's true if one knew nothing about footy, it would provide useful information. For example "We see A is 7 foot tall and note that the best ruckmen are near 7 foot tall, so we think the ruck would be a good position for A". Useful info if you knew nothing about ruckmen, but adds nothing if you are familar with footy. And useful if you want to ask about rules, though you'd want to check the answers.

And even this is iffy.

I asked a chatbot the other day to tell me how many finals Melbourne had won in the last 20 years. That's not quite "Are rucks tall?", but it's not far off. I thought it would be easier than me going to a website with the info and sifting, then counting.

It told me the answer was one. I realised it thought "finals" meant "grand finals". I changed the question. Still one. I explained in detail that finals are like playoffs, and I wanted to know how many games the club had won in playoff series between 2005 and 2024. Still wrong. Eventually I wrote a prompt so elaborate there was no way it could get the answer wrong. I finally got the answer, but had taken much more time than I would have if I'd counted on a stats site.

8 hours ago, rpfc said:

A near death experience that was poorly handled by our own admission and a stagnant FD that has seen a near total broom being swept through the place with more to come when contracts are up at the end of 2026.

So I don’t really know what the f the Petracca haters are on about tbh. You think it was unfounded? Show me the receipts because everything we have done has vindicated his opinion and his actions to escape - except we pulled the trap door ourselves.

This is a good point. It still appears he wants out and for mine it’s best we facilitate that.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Roost it far

42 minutes ago, Smokey said:

Finishing second in this year’s BnF isn’t the metric you think it is. We were horrible most of the year. Might as well have put on a blindfold and thrown at a dartboard to decide who got awards after Max.

You say respect goes both ways? Well we have shown respect by committing to him long term and setting him up financially for life. What have we got in return? Trac looking to leave the team we have tried to build around him.

I am mostly disappointed by the fact that when the club went off the rails last few seasons, I expected Trac to step up and be the leader we needed to navigate us through that patch. Instead he’s thrown his toys out of the cot.

I completely disagree we mishandled trac’s injury. Players get sent back on the field after heavy hits regularly. It’s unfortunate what happened, but the club didn’t mishandle anything.

We have new leadership across the board and are poised to enter our next chapter. Now is the time I expect our highest paid player to affirm his intentions, address the media speculation and get on with being the leader he needs to be. Instead we have uncertainty still.

If trading Trac for pennies means more salary cap to spend on the guys that wanna be on the bus, then I’m all for it.

The surest way to lose talent and negatively effect culture in any organisation is to excuse and accept the below-standard behaviours of their top performers.

Finishing 2nd in the B&F is still finishing 2nd — you don’t stumble into that by accident. Even in a rough year, he was one of the few carrying the load while injured. And respect isn’t just about contracts and dollars, it’s about recognising the sacrifices he’s already made — including nearly his life — for the club. If we start treating champions as disposable the moment the narrative turns, that’s when culture really rots.

10 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc ... any of .....

Maybe we just do a deal ?

I'm not losing sleep one way or the other

What say you Mr King ??

( it's about a team 😉 )

10 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc ... any of .....

Maybe we just do a deal ?

I'm not losing sleep one way or the other

What say you Mr King ??

( it's about a team 😉 )

Just now, john delosa said:

  10 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc ... any of .....

  10 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc ... any of .....

10 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc!, So .. you know him personaly?

18 minutes ago, john delosa said:

Finishing 2nd in the B&F is still finishing 2nd — you don’t stumble into that by accident. Even in a rough year, he was one of the few carrying the load while injured. And respect isn’t just about contracts and dollars, it’s about recognising the sacrifices he’s already made — including nearly his life — for the club. If we start treating champions as disposable the moment the narrative turns, that’s when culture really rots.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one mate. Your points are well made

I was filthy with Trac with how he went about trying to force through a move last year. Tbh I’ll prob never look at him in the same light ever again. Thought he put in a decent effort coming back from injury but never felt like he was 100% in.

This time round I’m not too bothered- I assume it’s him putting out the story that he’s will to be traded to a bigger range of clubs this time.

This helps both parties, makes it more realistic that he will get his move and we will get reasonable trade value

Interesting that the stories came out the day after King met with our list management. Cats play on Friday so I guess there’s a chance our new coach hasn’t had a proper chance to catch up with Trac but if it hasn’t happened already I’m sure it will over the weekend or early next week .

If Trac hasnt come out and put the rumours to bed by mid next week I think we can take it to the bank he’s Gone

Just now, Colm said:

Interesting that the stories came out the day after King met with our list management. Cats play on Friday so I guess there’s a chance our new coach hasn’t had a proper chance to catch up with Trac but if it hasn’t happened already I’m sure it will over the weekend or early next week .

If Trac hasnt come out and put the rumours to bed by mid next week I think we can take it to the bank he’s Gone

King will be meeting with some players today, uncertain if Trac will be one of them. As you said though, the timing was interesting.

2 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

King will be meeting with some players today, uncertain if Trac will be one of them. As you said though, the timing was interesting.

Quite a workload for him to be preparing for a prelim with one club and sorting out list management with another.

I'm stunned Geelong have kept him on to be honest.

13 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

King will be meeting with some players today, uncertain if Trac will be one of them. As you said though, the timing was interesting.

You might be right but he said in his presser that he was dedicating one day to Melbourne and then he was driving down the highway and focusing on Geelong.

43 minutes ago, john delosa said:

  11 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc ... any of .....

  11 hours ago, beelzebub said:

According to Tracc ... any of .....

what about

Melbourne legend Garry Lyon has ruled out any possibility of Christian Petracca leaving the Demons for the Adelaide Crows.

Recent reports revealed that both Petracca and the Melbourne Demons were open to shifting the 29-year-old, communicating peacefully following a tumultuous off-season in 2024.

And as recently as Tuesday morning, it was further reported that the Adelaide Crows were preparing to make a play for the superstar midfielder, who would be open to a move interstate.

With Petracca opting against a demand against the club, Lyon believes that the superstar won’t be going anywhere and is certain that the Crows’ potential trade package wouldn’t satisfy the Dees’ asking price.

“My answer to that is the same as for Carlton with Charlie (Curnow), and even Zach (Merrett) with Essendon,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“No, he isn’t going to Adelaide, unless you turn around and say here’s Riley Thilthorpe and a draft pick, or here is two first rounders…

“It’s all good and well to say it, but the next thing is to get it done. Last year I was a thousand percent no, keep Christian and I think they can turn it around.

“If he still has issues after 12 months, and I don’t know if he has, let him sit down with Steven King first. Let those two have time together first and then maybe issues will be resolved.

“If Adelaide wants Christian Petracca, then tell me how it’s going to get done? Because Pick 14 isn’t anywhere close to getting it done.”

Referencing the nature of high-profile trades, Lyon believes that it is up to the clubs seeking top-end talent to put a commanding case forward to invite a deal, rather than the other way around.

“I was only just throwing out Riley Thilthorpe - of course I know they’re not going to trade Riley Thilthorpe,” Lyon admitted.

“But this is what I’m saying – you can’t just say, ‘I want Zak Butters to come and play at Melbourne’. Well, so does everyone. How are you going to get him? What have you got?

“We’ve got two draft picks and this player – now it’s a serious conversation. I think any team that comes after Petracca or Curnow or anyone like that – you have got to command!

“This is the interesting thing with Merrett and Hawthorn – I think it’s incumbent upon Hawthorn now, having exposed the gap between Hawthorn and Essendon, picked at the seam and now it’s unravelled, it’s incumbent for them to get the deal done.

“Not to play hardball, because then if I’m Essendon, I get my back up even more and go, ‘guess what, we are going to trade Zach, you’ve been part of unravelling it and that’s okay, but he isn’t going to you.”

9 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Melbourne legend Garry Lyon has ruled out any possibility of Christian Petracca leaving the Demons for the Adelaide Crows.

Recent reports revealed that both Petracca and the Melbourne Demons were open to shifting the 29-year-old, communicating peacefully following a tumultuous off-season in 2024.

And as recently as Tuesday morning, it was further reported that the Adelaide Crows were preparing to make a play for the superstar midfielder, who would be open to a move interstate.

With Petracca opting against a demand against the club, Lyon believes that the superstar won’t be going anywhere and is certain that the Crows’ potential trade package wouldn’t satisfy the Dees’ asking price.

“My answer to that is the same as for Carlton with Charlie (Curnow), and even Zach (Merrett) with Essendon,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“No, he isn’t going to Adelaide, unless you turn around and say here’s Riley Thilthorpe and a draft pick, or here is two first rounders…

“It’s all good and well to say it, but the next thing is to get it done. Last year I was a thousand percent no, keep Christian and I think they can turn it around.

“If he still has issues after 12 months, and I don’t know if he has, let him sit down with Steven King first. Let those two have time together first and then maybe issues will be resolved.

“If Adelaide wants Christian Petracca, then tell me how it’s going to get done? Because Pick 14 isn’t anywhere close to getting it done.”

Referencing the nature of high-profile trades, Lyon believes that it is up to the clubs seeking top-end talent to put a commanding case forward to invite a deal, rather than the other way around.

“I was only just throwing out Riley Thilthorpe - of course I know they’re not going to trade Riley Thilthorpe,” Lyon admitted.

“But this is what I’m saying – you can’t just say, ‘I want Zak Butters to come and play at Melbourne’. Well, so does everyone. How are you going to get him? What have you got?

“We’ve got two draft picks and this player – now it’s a serious conversation. I think any team that comes after Petracca or Curnow or anyone like that – you have got to command!

“This is the interesting thing with Merrett and Hawthorn – I think it’s incumbent upon Hawthorn now, having exposed the gap between Hawthorn and Essendon, picked at the seam and now it’s unravelled, it’s incumbent for them to get the deal done.

“Not to play hardball, because then if I’m Essendon, I get my back up even more and go, ‘guess what, we are going to trade Zach, you’ve been part of unravelling it and that’s okay, but he isn’t going to you.”

Good on Gary setting a high price for Trac before others in the media say he’s shot and only worth a packet of chips.

1 hour ago, Colm said:

I think we can take it to the bank he’s Gone

not necessarily. We need to get a satisfactory return.

If he wants to leave fair enough. I've moved jobs. he's entitled to do so as well (although i don;t like the way he went about it last year at all)

Even if a trade can't be organised, I think Trac will be able to re-integrate with the group again (like he did this year) and give us good service next year and beyond. And he should be looking forward to working with a new coach with a fresh outlook.

Time to cool the jets? Banters great, but when its getting more serious - not so great. Time for a bit of perspective, i think. No one is right or wrong at the moment. Just let it play out.

11 hours ago, DemonBlack said:

His body language was horrible this year, not a leader you want at the club.

That's total bollocks.

1 hour ago, Colm said:

Interesting that the stories came out the day after King met with our list management. Cats play on Friday so I guess there’s a chance our new coach hasn’t had a proper chance to catch up with Trac but if it hasn’t happened already I’m sure it will over the weekend or early next week .

If Trac hasnt come out and put the rumours to bed by mid next week I think we can take it to the bank he’s Gone

We hold the power with any Trac trade. He can try ajd force a trade, but unless we're happy with the remuneration and happy for him to go, he'll be at the MFC next year.

In the MLB there is a stat called "Wins Above Replacement".

If you're in the positive, you're helping your team. If you're in the negative you're actively harming your team due to the mistakes and low production. The best MLB players are worth 5 or more wins per season. So in essence if they didn't play all season, their team would be 5 losses worse off.

In the AFL, I'd suspect the likes of N Daicos and Bont would be a worth a few wins to their side. For example, the Dogs W/L ratio improved when Bont returned from injury.

Onto Trac:

I wonder how many wins Trac was worth to the side this year? Or to reframe the question, how many wins would have we had if Trac played 0 games this year. If the answer is 6 instead of 7 wins, then you'd contemplate moving him on. If the answer was 3 wins, then you'd have to consider keeping him.

Post the Trac injury in 2024, we lost 3 close games to GWS, Brisbane and Port. I thought Trac would have been the difference in those close losses. However we continued to lose close games in 2025 with his presence this time.

In conclusion, how valuable is Trac to our side next year in terms of tallying wins?

I would like to discuss the relevancy of posters.

Please put up your hand if you know......right

Now please put up your hand if you don't know......right Willmoy your hand is up, and for telling the truth, you get 10 free pot shots at MAGA MEDIA.