if the system lets me i'll update the top as required as the off-season progresses

leaving... (updated 16.08)

judd mcvee has a contract, is happy with it, hasn't signed it

christian petracca is a name that is 'attracting interest', but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

jake lever may be an option to trade as, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

bayley fritsch also rumoured by the medja, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

coming in... (updated 16.08)

wade derksen (gw$) has been mentioned two years in a row as a target

sam flanders (gc17) is another player that we might be keen on

Max Heath may be a chance, as Saints could have TDK, Marshall and Dodson.

I would love Windhager.

14 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

if the system lets me i'll update the top as required as the off-season progresses

leaving... (updated 16.08)

judd mcvee has a contract, is happy with it, hasn't signed it

christian petracca is a name that is 'attracting interest', but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

jake lever may be an option to trade as, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

bayley fritsch also rumoured by the medja, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

coming in... (updated 16.08)

wade derksen (gw$) has been mentioned two years in a row as a target

sam flanders (gc17) is another player that we might be keen on

This is a great idea but can I suggest if you are doing this you update each with the date and where the rumour source ie: website, social page, which DL poster etc..? As example where did the Flanders one come from? Dont disagree but sounds more like opinion than rumour.

Edited August 16Aug 16 by Lil_red_fire_engine

23 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

if the system lets me i'll update the top as required as the off-season progresses

leaving... (updated 16.08)

judd mcvee has a contract, is happy with it, hasn't signed it

christian petracca is a name that is 'attracting interest', but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

jake lever may be an option to trade as, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

bayley fritsch also rumoured by the medja, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

coming in... (updated 16.08)

wade derksen (gw$) has been mentioned two years in a row as a target

sam flanders (gc17) is another player that we might be keen on

can't edit original post which is annoying

all those rumours are from the various talking heads in the afl medja

if there's more mentioned in dispatches, i guess anyone can add to the thread

On 16/08/2025 at 18:15, whatwhat say what said:

sam flanders (gc17) is another player that we might be keen on

Is there anything of substance actually linking us with Flanders? I've only ever seen one 'X' post about it, which was some 'fan' made trade and draft account with about 100 followers.

2 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

Is there anything of substance actually linking us with Flanders? I've only ever seen one 'X' post about it, which was some 'fan' made trade and draft account with about 100 followers.

I think Ralph mentioned it in dispatches

He probably got from said x post

On 16/08/2025 at 18:15, whatwhat say what said:

if the system lets me i'll update the top as required as the off-season progresses

leaving... (updated 16.08)

judd mcvee has a contract, is happy with it, hasn't signed it

christian petracca is a name that is 'attracting interest', but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

jake lever may be an option to trade as, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

bayley fritsch also rumoured by the medja, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

coming in... (updated 16.08)

wade derksen (gw$) has been mentioned two years in a row as a target

sam flanders (gc17) is another player that we might be keen on

(18 August 2025) Jon Ralph on Petracca and Oliver:

Petracca: The Demons say he’s happy and invested. The rumours won’t die. In any other year with a star-studded draft when clubs have so much cap space you could see a situation where a rival in the window gave up multiple first-round picks to secure his services. But while the Demons have conceded they won’t contend for the flag next year — football boss Alan Richardson is on the record on ABC Radio making that clear despite Simon Goodwin’s belief in this list — they also want to keep their star player. They are using the example of Collingwood, which didn’t tip out its veterans and saw them thrive in the 2023 premiership year. So there will be speculation but there isn’t a real suitor yet.

Oliver: Stay with me here. Oliver has looked like he has had his power back in recent weeks. Averaging 5.7 clearances and 5.6 tackles along with 25 possessions this year, his disposal (below average) has let him down badly. But in recent weeks he at least had his spring back in the contest. There aren’t suitors for him given his huge wage even though he was interested early this year in a move to a club like Geelong. So with Oliver unlikely to take a monster pay cut it seems likely a new coach will have to find ways to get the best out of him given the Demons midfield has still been trounced too often this year.

Edited August 18Aug 18 by BLWNBA

Where did this Steve May trade talk originate from? Didn’t watch the last couple of games because I’m out of the country but have read he played poorly so we should get rid of him, just like Fritsch and Oliver earlier in the year? What are we thinking the Dogs would be offering? Id rather keep May and trade Lever and move Petty back to defense.

5 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Where did this Steve May trade talk originate from?

The media...

According to them we need to trade out our entire senior list.

On 16/08/2025 at 18:15, whatwhat say what said:

bayley fritsch also rumoured by the medja, but prior to the coach being sacked was considered a 'required player'

Ain't goin’ anywhere. Demon for life. Take it to the flippin’ bank.

Chris Cavanagh: 26 August 2025 'Who your club could target'

MELBOURNE

Current Picks: 23, 52, 59

There’s a bit to play out at Melbourne, which is preparing to name a new coach ahead of what could be an interesting trade period.

The Demons traded their first-round pick to Essendon as part of the deal which secured them Xavier Linsday at pick 11 last year.

That means that unless they secure a first-round pick through the trade period, they won’t enter the draft until the second round.

Kalani White has nominated Melbourne despite being part of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.

Who will still be available when that pick rolls around remains to be seen, but Melbourne could do with some key position talent at either end of the ground.

Father-son prospect Kalani White – who is also a Gold Coast Suns Academy member – has nominated the Demons as his preferred club ahead of the draft and will help in that area.

The 198cm tall – who can play at either end of the ground – is the son of 236-game ruckman Jeff and is likely to be a late draft pick.

The Demons also have access to Dandenong Stingrays defender Toby Sinnema through their NGA program.

Sinnema racked up 15 disposals and a goal in a recent VFL debut for Casey.

16 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Where did this Steve May trade talk originate from? Didn’t watch the last couple of games because I’m out of the country but have read he played poorly so we should get rid of him, just like Fritsch and Oliver earlier in the year? What are we thinking the Dogs would be offering? Id rather keep May and trade Lever and move Petty back to defense.

It was an entirely an opinion piece, but it seems to have spread throughout various outlets today. However, I'm yet to see anything presented which is not an opinion on May's trade value or position in our team.

30 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

Chris Cavanagh: 26 August 2025 'Who your club could target'

MELBOURNE

Current Picks: 23, 52, 59

There’s a bit to play out at Melbourne, which is preparing to name a new coach ahead of what could be an interesting trade period.

The Demons traded their first-round pick to Essendon as part of the deal which secured them Xavier Linsday at pick 11 last year.

That means that unless they secure a first-round pick through the trade period, they won’t enter the draft until the second round.

Kalani White has nominated Melbourne despite being part of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.

Who will still be available when that pick rolls around remains to be seen, but Melbourne could do with some key position talent at either end of the ground.

Father-son prospect Kalani White – who is also a Gold Coast Suns Academy member – has nominated the Demons as his preferred club ahead of the draft and will help in that area.

The 198cm tall – who can play at either end of the ground – is the son of 236-game ruckman Jeff and is likely to be a late draft pick.

The Demons also have access to Dandenong Stingrays defender Toby Sinnema through their NGA program.

Sinnema racked up 15 disposals and a goal in a recent VFL debut for Casey.

Chris Cavanagh hasn’t put a whole heap of effort into that ‘who your club could target’ piece 😆.

3 minutes ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Chris Cavanagh hasn’t put a whole heap of effort into that ‘who your club could target’ piece 😆.

Agreed!

Sammy Draper 😈

Fritsch gotta stay, he's a demon for life!!

Ash Johnson

Mally Rosas

1 minute ago, SthSea22 said:

Ash Johnson

Mally Rosas

Pickett still out the door?? (Sorry, just couldn't help myself)

Fantastic album with hit after hit and a fascinating backstory to go with it.

Glad we’ve started a thread to discuss!

On 26/08/2025 at 13:31, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Where did this Steve May trade talk originate from?

The sports media cycle:

• Football writer writes an opinion piece that club could benefit from trading player x.

• One journalist cites this article as "rumours that player x is on the table."

• TV panellist cites previous two articles as their inside mail that player x and club are unhappy and want to part ways.

• Half a dozen articles appear citing TV panellist that player x wants out.

• TV panellist doubles down, citing growing consensus among sports media as evidence. When asked where the rumour originated, they drop out "where there's smoke, there's a fire" line as proof.

• Thus proven, the entirety of the sports media landscape begin reporting the exit of player x as fact.

From here you have two outcomes.

1. The media create enough noise to actually cause an issue at the club and cause the player to leave.

2. The club and player x ignore the noise and go about their business, which will be portrayed as the club being poor negotiators and failing to get a deal done.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by RalphiusMaximus

14 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

The sports media cycle:

• Football writer writes an opinion piece that club could benefit from trading player x.

• One journalist cites this article as "rumours that player x is on the table."

• TV panellist cites previous two articles as their inside mail that player x and club are unhappy and want to part ways.

• Half a dozen articles appear citing TV panellist that player x wants out.

• TV panellist doubles down, citing growing consensus among sports media as evidence. When asked where the rumour originated, they drop out "where there's smoke, there's a fire" line as proof.

• Thus proven, the entirety of the sports media landscape begin reporting the exit of player x as fact.

From here you have two outcomes.

1. The media create enough noise to actually cause an issue at the club and cause the player to leave.

2. The club and player x ignore the noise and go about their business, which will be portrayed as the club being poor negotiators and failing to get a deal done.

Nailed it! This is EXACTLY what happens.

Yesterday during the quarter time huddle I was talking to Maysie (well, I was actually playing with Millie, his baby daughter) when a teenager approached and straight up asked Maysie if it’s true that he’s leaving.

Maysie said what you’ve said above but of course not in those words. He told this boy that a journo will suggest something might happen for whatever reason, it gets repeated by other people in the media, and the fans start to believe it because it’s what everyone’s saying. He told the kid he’s not leaving and the talk of him leaving is entirely made up, all starting with one media person. That’s how Maysie explained it to this teenager and in essence it’s what you’re saying above.

I especially like when dot point # 1 and # 2 are the same person a few days apart and dot point # 3 is a work colleague

16 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

The sports media cycle:

• Football writer writes an opinion piece that club could benefit from trading player x.

• One journalist cites this article as "rumours that player x is on the table."

• TV panellist cites previous two articles as their inside mail that player x and club are unhappy and want to part ways.

• Half a dozen articles appear citing TV panellist that player x wants out.

• TV panellist doubles down, citing growing consensus among sports media as evidence. When asked where the rumour originated, they drop out "where there's smoke, there's a fire" line as proof.

• Thus proven, the entirety of the sports media landscape begin reporting the exit of player x as fact.

From here you have two outcomes.

1. The media create enough noise to actually cause an issue at the club and cause the player to leave.

2. The club and player x ignore the noise and go about their business, which will be portrayed as the club being poor negotiators and failing to get a deal done.

Brilliant analysis. Also what really annoys me is journalists interviewing journalists regarding these ‘news’ stories. Echo chamber follows.

6 minutes ago, Outside 50 said:

Brilliant analysis. Also what really annoys me is journalists interviewing journalists regarding these ‘news’ stories. Echo chamber follows.

Echo chamber! A perfect description of AFL 'news'.

Well done!

Leaver on the move