Gawndy the Great

At least the media seem to be realistic with the asking price 2 top 10 + player ; 3 first rounders. No doubt this is what Tim Lamb / club have fed back to Trac's management. This, plus the very clear message coming from Pert / Goodwin / Gawn that we will hold him to contract means we will not budge. Bottom line is Trac goes to a club where we are fairly compensated. He seeks a powerhouse Victorian club. The only one that fits that bill is Richmond. Pick 1 + established star player (Bolton for example). Richmond would be bonkers to even consider it. Essendon is closer: Pick 8 + F1 + player. Not going to be a star player like Merrett or an up and comer like Caddy, but someone more like a Parish or Caldwell. Pies / Blues would have to give up too much.

The sooner he realizes he is best off sticking with us the better. Just needs to get over himself and focus on recovery and preseason. All of this grand standing is only digging himself a bigger grave. All eyes on training this week and the interactions he has with the group. That is if he even fronts up.

Trac would love the standards at Carlton. Dont have a defensive bone in their body. Replace McKay with TDK or Curnow and you would be tempted. Their draft picks are not enough though as they would be in the late part of 1st round.

Wouldn’t he just be in the Nick Daicos shadow though? Pies just don’t work in so many levels. 1- He’ll be second fiddle 2- Can’t afford to pay him as well as we would 3 - Their list is going nowhere

That is 100% my take. It’s farcical that they aren’t talking. This whole situation is really doing my head in. Does he want to leave because : 1) The way the club treated him during his injury? 2) Some insensitivity post issue - ie butchered Comms 3) Style of play , standards , training facilities 4) Wants a bigger club . Not necessarily a more on field successful one but a bigger one to improve his brand.

Which also gives us time to work out suitable compensation and who we can bring in as well.

I find this whole thing laughable, confusing and frustrating. These guys spend every waking moment together…..almost. How on earth aren’t they calling each other smsing on a regular basis? Why do Comms need to go through the FD? The players should be talking him to regularly to see what’s going on. I call BS on this and frankly Tracs camp making this an issue when it’s not. It’s way over the top and dramatic and I’ll go as far as saying it’s being used an excuse.

On First Crack, all three panelists had us as the most disappointing club 2024. Collingwood 4 pts in front of us was 2nd, 3rd most disappointing and Huddo didnt even have them in the top 4 most disappointing. Im not suggesting we don’t belong there but surely that #1 spot solely goes to the pies - the reigning premiers ?

I suspect we will be in limbo for quite some time. The main milestones will be end of trade week and 1st day of preseason.

But do you consider them a powerhouse club? Will they be flag ready in 3-4 years?

Jaded, communication can be poor, the club may have stuffed up his treatment post injury, but you kiss and make up. if there is a will there is a way. I don’t think that one incident has taken him from happy and settled to I want to leave to another club. Perhaps as others have said it’s been brewing for quite some time. Trac has completely surprised me with his take on this - I just didn’t see it coming and tbh I think this is going to reflect poorly on him in the long run whether he stays or goes. There is no way he goes to a Victorian Powerhouse. It just won’t happen. Neither the Pies, Blues or Bombers have what it takes. Hawks and Cats are neither here and are 2nd rung clubs in VIC with us anyway.

He is not yet at the point of no return. But if it’s redemption he seems, let his footy do the talking. Round 1 be there raring to go.

Why legally? It’ll be his last game. Why not go out with a bang.

Ben Simmons. Australian NBA basketball er who has developed a rather unpopular following in the USA given his monumental fall from grace.

The worst thing of all of this is I think I now have to change all my passwords.

Onya Gawny. You will be a club great and leave behind a tremendous legacy. Will be a future hall of famer, team of the century and one of the best of Melbourne. Glad you play for the Red and the Blue.

Daddy is signing until ‘27 is that what he said?

Have they equally shown a smither of interest on how the club came together? I think not. Says enough for me.

He is mates with Simmons… wonder if the grand standing is rubbing off on him.

Midfield? I think he’s more focused on back office roles. Board room to FD is bit of a backwards step I think.

Add to that all the media noise. I think it’s safe to say that whilst there is definitely some mayo on it, it has turned out to be true.

I don’t think she has to say anything. It’s pretty obvious tbh. What better way to end the speculation, to show the support and unity by rocking up - he could even FIFO it. Trac has just dug himself a big hole that will in one way shape or form shape his legacy. The sooner he realises this, the quicker he can make amends. He needs to get to work over the summer and show up tıp tıp for round 1. Same goes for Oliver, Petty & McAdam. These guys had horrendous pre seasons (some through no fault of their own) and owe us a lift in 2025. If Trac can’t see beyond his own ego and demands a trade, then he’ll go where it best serves the club. No one person is bigger than the club. We all want team success.

And the benefit of JUH while we got absolutely robbed. Teams like Pies, Lions and Doggies would be nothing if it wasn’t for these draft concessions.

We have to be chasing LDU hard. Take him ahead of Houston.

They must be taking massive unders. But also they have no key position backs, that will ultimately be what holds them back.