Mel Bourne

I like the optimism, but BBB’s recruitment into our 2020 squad was a very different storyline to this one. All in all it’s a positive, but it feels like more like gaining an experienced hand to guide us through a walk through the wilderness. Hopefully that walk is just a couple of years.

Hmmm, ok. The biggest positive I can draw from this is that JVR now has an on-field tuition from a quality, big-bodied forward. Something he’s never had. Other than that, it feels like a band-aid on a bruise.

I don’t think “he doesn’t have a choice” is an actual factor.

The “wife” stuff is pretty low-grade, dudes. Sure, she probably has a say in where they live. But I would hope the same would apply to every person here who has a partner. The fact is if Trac wanted nothing more than remain a demon, it would be so.

If we were legitimately in a premiership window, I would. But…

Please no. We need young talent who are excited about taking on what will no doubt be a challenging period.

Folks here suggesting Humphrey AND Flanders for Trac really need to hose themselves down. Humphreys is worth more to us than Trac, and the Suns are fully aware of that. He’s also contracted to 2028, so it would need to be both Trac and a hefty figure. Flanders is a possibility, but the Saints are gunning hard for him. If they have the reserves and the mettle to compete for a deal, things suddenly don’t seem as easy as we’d like them to be. I’m still not convinced the path forward has presented itself, and the chances of a disillusioned Trac in our midfield next year are still very real.

Pathetic

Maybe not in a regular draft, but the academy picks have really diluted the usual strength of a “12”, no?

They surely would. But it sucks for us. If it’s just pick 12 of a lacklustre draft, the amount of his salary we pay would need to be VERY small. Or better still, him and GWS renegotiate an entirely new contract.

I just can’t shake the feeling that a helluva lot of this is down to seemingly-irreparable relationships among certain members of the senior playing group. I know there has been much speculation about the relationship between Trac and Clarry. And while I’d like to look at that cute photo of them when they were juniors and assume the most wholesome thoughts, it’s very obvious that they have very different interests/lifestyles/personalities away from the game. So shoot me down for even suggesting such a thing, but it feels like the May, and now Oliver, discussions were attempts to placate Trac (and potentially others). But even if this proves futile (as is likely the case), measures are being made to create a new standard of culture nonetheless. I absolutely acknowledge that I have no freakin’ idea when it comes to Clarry’s behaviour (past or present). It seems from the outside perspective that he’s made a real effort to improve his attitude, but that doesn’t quite stack up with how he’s being treated right now - being told to improve your craft is one thing, being told to potentially go elsewhere (at a large financial cost to the club) isn’t the kind of hardline-approach you’d associate with a champion player who’s shown every effort to improve. Anyway, I’m not interested in trashing either of them, and will be sad to see them go. But if it manages to bring stability to the club - even at the cost of success in the short term - I’ll learn to embrace it.

A few years from now we’ll be able to read about what went down at the club from ‘22-‘25, and I imagine it will be more than a little startling. It’s kinda fascinating how - despite the countless leaks over the years - the real stories still manage to completely elude the supporters. I guess those hacks in the press still have the mental capacity to understand the difference between what’s libel and what they can get away with. But man, what I’d give to have a sit down with one of the players over a counter meal and a couple of glasses of truth-potion.

Agreed. That’s a pretty clear line of communication, and impressively-devoid of spin/corporate-speak. Feels all the more honest for it. While we’re still sussing Guerra out, he’s scored an early point for the handling of this situation so far.

I don’t mind a swim as much as the next person but the Gold Coast “lifestyle” is my idea of a vacuous, culturally-devoid hellscape.

If it does go through I’ll take some small comfort in knowing that Trac has to live in Adelaide. I’ve never know how a city can be both “murdery” and boring at the same time. You sure about that?

He’s lit up our lives too many times to mention, and despite my earlier grumblings I’ll always respect the guy immensely. But as others have said, the speculation coupled with the silence, is creating a bit of a tedious, creeping resentment. I get the whole “don’t feed the seagulls” argument. But the incessant squawking has become deafening, and all it would take to silence it is a shoo from one particular hand.

Noted. Perhaps he could mention that as part of a two-sentence statement on social media. The other sentence being “I’m staying with the red and blue”.

Cool. I’ll be over here enjoying great wins and tight contests, while you get to feel good once every sixty or so years.

I don’t think anything I said was overly-harsh. I also explained the nature of my post with an appropriate degree of gallows humour and self-deprecation. Sharper minds here would have picked that up. As for “rewriting history”, do you actually need reminding that this is a social-media forum which houses opinions that range from the whimsical to the serious, but none of it ultimately really matters that much in terms of reality? Or do you think you’re on Wikipedia?

Honestly, I’m ready to give “Brand Trac” (or whatever malarkey he wants to ascribe to himself) the flick. Lately he’s just exuded “bigger than the club” vibes, and they’ve always been my least favourite kind of footballer. If I’m wrong, point to the examples where I’m wrong If players like this are the keys to success, I’ve no interest in the game. Some crew just want to chase flags. I’m not that crew. I like the club vibe. I’m also drunk and sad in a very strange country. And that brings its own perspective.

Right? Bizarre thread.

Lol. Well you might want to inform the club and our new coach of this, because they seem unaware of it.

I wasn’t being literal. Of course there’s a pre-season, and much to do before pre-season training begins. But our players are not currently hanging around the doors of the club wondering where the new coach is. They’ve clocked off. It’s a professional organisation. Anyone alluding to stuff akin to “where does his heart lie?” is being, too put it as kindly as possible, a bit romantic.

Am I missing something here? He’s starting a new job next year, and seeing out his current job. It’s not a big deal.

I’ll add to this that any supporters who think there’s nothing in this are being wilfully-ignorant to one of the club’s biggest areas of concern (up there with facilities/forward line). This is of course just my opinion, but I think May has been one of our biggest contributors to culture-death these past few seasons. Off-field stuff aside, he’s always had a vibe of “I was a captain once too, y’know”, and it’s pretty plain to see here.