Red But Mostly Blue

Wow. That’s truly horrendous and cannot be spun into a positive. Generational talents and an important part of our defence, gone for a few very speculative picks. I hope not. And if it happens, I don’t want them to come out and tell us what a great outcome this is.

I agree there are great kids in there. I just think we need another senior player in there.

Trac for 7 and 8 is NOT a good deal at all. They are unknowns in a widely reported weak draft - one we already stated we don't want to be involved in!! A lot still to transpire, but if this happens, and we get the expected bag of chips for Clarry (plus paying a chunk of his $), then we are missing both stars in our midfield next year, with nobody really able to fill those gaps. A dire, uninspiring outcome. Holding out hope we can at least slot in someone we can build with/around. FD must know this is a bad deal - we do NOT have to trade Trac. Deal does not help us win a flag.

No vomit emojis here mate. You said it perfectly. It has been a long time that we had a player so good that it made people care, and made us relevant again. Clarry was that guy. I always thought he’d run out his last game in the red and blue, with a Brownlow and maybe even a norm smith to showcase. Can’t believe so much has happened in 4 short years. How the picture changed. It’s just a sport. Nothing real and not as real as serious things in life, but it’s a release and a way for us to bond and connect and as a human being with flaws I always connected better with Clarry than, say, Trac With you 100%

Shattered. One of my favourite players and one of our best. EVER. Whatever way this is spun, you can’t convince me whoever/whatever we’re going to get from this deal will equal what Clarry was, or what he could have been for us in 2026 I think the same for Trac. Together, losing both Trac and Oliver, generational talents who propelled us to our first premiership in a million years, and dragged us into relevance again after so many years in the doldrums. I held out hope that it was all just noise and the media and Clarry feeling hurt and miscommunication and immaturity but that it would all come together. A really sad day.

They look great!! Yeah definitely not a thing when I was seeing bands weekly. It was nothing (bad I know) or those foam ones (not much better).

Real shame, too, because when we win the flag in 2027 that could be quite a high pick.

It's been 11 minutes Done deal!!

To be fair, I don't begrudge his sentiments re the press haha. And those other statements may well be facts. I am obviously biased, I want us to keep our club champion and see him having a big 2026 - and I LOVE a redemption story. Would love him to win the brownlow next year, in the red and blue.

Agree. He strikes me as very much heart on sleeve kind of guy. Think he'll say whatever comes to mind if he's hurt.

All good mate, and appreciate the follow-up. My hearing ain't the best - years of listening to loud bands, irresponsibly at times, and two young kids at home keeping me dizzy enough (in the best ways possible) that I am not sure what day of the week it is at the best of times, and had filed this under 'not paying enough attention' haha

I think he was hurt, and intended to hurt, but whether he meant they are a better destination (i.e. performing better), or he likes them more than us, who knows? No doubt wanted to have a go of some sort. Agree unnecessary reference.

That's the bit I am not sure on. We have wanted him gone? He could have been shipped off a number of times - and arguably in the worst of it all. I don't think he wants to go at all. His comments historically haven't indicated that. There was a unilateral attempt by Pert to shift him? I think Clarry loves the club. I also think it's been a tough few years. The only thing that would support us now wanting him gone (especially given Trac is also effectively gone), is that his behaviour, behind closed doors this year, has been the same/bad. And I don't know if I believe that. Would we want him gone for past 'behaviour issues' - whatever they were if we subsequently accepted them, had the chats, repaired the relationships and moved on? Makes no sense. Why now? In the (prior to this moment), the calmest of times? He ended the year well, I thought he was getting back to his old self in those last few games?

Agree. To be fair, I never held this comment against him. I just saw him looking hurt, dejected and defensive. But yeah lots have taken this to mean = he's no longer one of us, get him out at any cost. WHICH IS NUTS.

That's interesting. I didn't read it like that - BUT good point. It does make sense, and I would hope that's what he meant. As it's true, and not slagging off the club.

That's exactly what I think. How he reacted after that meeting (and I think it ranges from unhappy to furious). This is in line with lamb saying he was not told to leave. I think we're on the same page. Personally, I am gutted for him. I think this could/should have been played better by all. And as always, the media doing what it does best. Miscommunication and misleading 'journalism' might cost us a legend.

It's ok, with or without SdK, he will lose anyway.

I think this is definitely a fair conclusion. But we don't know everything that's gone on (historically/exit interview etc), and the other intangible here is that it seems Clarry is a really immature and quite emotional/erratic/impulsive kind of guy. I would not be surprised if his response is one of those defence mechanism type responses used by teens to scoff at parents etc. The main issue here is we will never know. If we've done everything we can, and a reasonable offer was put to him for 2026, and he refuses to take it/amend his ways/be a team player etc, that's a really sad way for a club legend to wrap up his time at the Dees, and I presume this kind of behaviour will present itself at his new club anyway. Unfortunately. Because he should be one of the greats of the game in a perfect world where everyone makes good decisions.

100% true - BUT it would be somewhat consistent with his subsequent behaviour. For example, liking the Pies "more than Melbourne, that's for sure". Probably a little more in it than clocking off for the day. The main thing for me is whether we told him to look elsewhere, or he has inferred that/decided it is best for him as he does not want to play a new role (definitely plausible, new coach, shifting midfield landscape, last years not great), and therefore has taken that personally - this being the scenario which could lead him back if the dust settles a bit/deal from GWS, for example, does not suit us. I certainly don't want a complete unknown in this trade/B grader just to fill the spot and save some dollarydoos.

Tim Lamb saying "Reporting on Oliver meeting last week not necessarily correct, but we did not direct him to explore options" is interesting, isn't it? Going by reports he's a pretty emotional guy, and let's be honest, not always making the most mature of decisions (everyone matures at different rates, not a dig), is it entirely possible that the alternative reports are true, in that we have suggested he will need to play a different role next year, and he has not reacted well, and has stormed out, and we have said this is what 2026 looks like, you are welcome to find a new home if this does not suit you? He's taken some calls and met some people, no different to the last 2 years really. Could he still play in the red and blue once the dust settles a bit? Personally, I would rather keep Clarry, a club legend, and someone I think is primed for a really good 2026, especially after a solid preseason (and I would have said no more drama, but that horse has bolted), than pay a chunk of his salary - lose him AND Clarry, and experience etc, and have him play/tear it up for the Giants, and have nobody really to replace him.

Copy and paste, yes please.

Absolute goose.

I don't think Cameron gets out much, or reads the news/talks to anybody... ever.

I think this is 100% being forgotten by some. Issues or not, the guy was a flat out superstar. I personally think this was a transition/bridge year to his best footy again, as it was his least interrupted for 2 years . With another preseason and no distractions, I think he'll have a great 2026 - but it's a pity it won't be for us. And in return we are not going to get someone of his quality/potential. People happy to offload/adopt a clear slate approach thinking kids will step up (they're great, but generational? We'll see) or we will get guys to plus and play. Unlikely. We need to nail these 2 trades because if we don't, it's going to be a hard year.

Happening as in generally, or as in right now? I need to know so I can grab a hat to hold onto.