BLWNBA

Once again, read what I have said. I don’t know why you find this so hard to comprehend, but you are going on about something I’ve never contended, nor implied. The AFL market is self-regulating, so this whole trading Petracca for a second round pick is redundant. I addressed your initial point several posts ago, which you keep ignoring.

Maybe respond to what I’ve actually said rather than trotting out a talking point you can’t talk beyond.

I’ve never said he’ll be sent away for a future second rounder, I’ve said there’s no world where he is at the Club next year and there is a strong desire from the top down for him to depart. The Club can maximise his departure and still be steadfast that he’s not around next year. You’re also ignoring the other fact, there would be multiple suitors for Petracca if the GC negotiations fell through; Adelaide would likely revisit this, I imagine other Victorian clubs may come knocking too. A future second rounder, in your words, would be laughed out the door because even if GC looked to lowball, other clubs would be prepared to offer something far greater or overpay for him.

The club isn’t going to come out and say that all three will be offloaded, that’s why the messaging has been the same for all three. They are welcome to look at opportunities at other clubs, otherwise they will be welcomed back at the Club next year. The moment you look to move players on and start making public statements about not wanting them at the club, you lose all credibility and any semblance of bargaining power. I’ve posted on another thread about this, but the Club is absolutely wanting to move Petracca, Oliver and May on. The reasoning behind each isn’t necessarily the same, but they are seen as detrimental to the culture that King wants to build. This is supported from the top down, from the Board to the playing group. It’s categoric that Petracca and Oliver will not be at the club next year and if I’m wrong about this, I’ll gladly admit it on here. We would be a bottom four side next year whether Petracca is with us or not, and are at a crucial point regarding the rejuvenation of our list. We’re looking to fast-track as much of this as possible prior to the Tassie Devils packages and compromised drafts. Fortunately, King had the foresight to understand were we stand.

Exactly. It’s mind-blowing that many on here don’t see this. Cultural problems can take many forms, it’s not just Goodwin, Oliver, May and Hunter who were to blame. You can also throw in the enablers in the former administration too.

Me, clearly un-jaded about being burnt by Judd.

We want Petracca gone, this isn’t some ‘if we can find a suitable trade, we’ll work with all parties to facilitate something’ good faith negotiation à la ANB last season. King is cleaning house.

Absolutely, a lot of the current verbatim and messaging is just puffery by the club due to the trade dance. The Petracca trade will get done as will Oliver. May is the only one who is a chance to stay, though that isn’t by design.

There is no world where Petracca is at the club next year. None.

This.

Exactly, and featured in two games in 2025 after playing 25 last year.

I can’t handle this. I’m not used to seeing a contemporary player in a Melbourne jumper take an overhead mark and hold it with a single grab.

Off the top of my head no other player immediately springs to mind, though of course that’s not to say there hasn’t been. It’s definitely an outlier in the AFL player movement landscape though. I’d go as far to say that even if there are other examples, he might even be the most recent.

I haven’t heard anything further on that front, though it may have been the club doing due diligence on available players. My opinion is that with the departure of Petracca and Oliver, plus the incoming draft hand, we may look to further invest via the draft and look towards starting 23 talent as opposed to likely depth. I think there could also be more to play out in the Flanders and Humphries chase too. I still wouldn’t put a line through Flanders entirely (though I would be extremely measured and realistic about it being far more unlikely than likely).

Personally, even if Petracca and Oliver were with us next year, I expect we would’ve been looking at a bottom four finish. With our downward trajectory inside, we may as well shift in bulk and bring in talent while we can. We got burnt with the introduction of both Gold Coast and GWS. I’m glad we’ve learnt our lesson prior to Tassie. I still think this should’ve happened over the past two seasons, but I’m glad King has the clarity to move now before it’s absolutely too late. Well either bring in a combination of players + picks this offseason, or take an additional hand into the this years draft and/or next years. We’ll be okay either way, I just suspect some may need to temper their expectations.

Great acquisition. He’s a handy footballer and a great person, exactly the type of individual you want around the club. This is bigger than just what you’re going to get onfield for where out lost is at and what King is attempting to achieve.

Petracca and Oliver are both being cleared for cultural reasons, albeit slightly different ones. Both moves are wholeheartedly supported from the top down to the playing group. This is absolutely King clearing the deck and resetting the club.

Moving on Petracca, Oliver and potentially May isn’t just about ‘rebuilding’, it signals a massive shift in culture and a commitment to actually pivot the club. This should’ve occurred two years ago. I don’t really agree with your comment either about being very close to being a good side in the later stages of the year. We had moments, but the list as it was fundamentally lacked any semblance of being able to compete with the direction the game has gone in, in a meaningful and ongoing manner. Regarding rebuilds, there are a multitude of factors which form a nexus and a causal connection to either why they do work, or why they don’t at each particular club. I think it’s very context specific. It’s far too early to make a call either way with us, but I’m extremely enthused by what is occurring so far and King and Guerra. The proof will be in the eating, but this is an extremely exciting and positive time, IMO.

We still have Viney and Sparrow on our list, and we’ve moved on two ‘bulls’ in Petracca and Oliver (likely). Although Steele might be a good corporate citizen, he’s another that the game has moved past. We need to be building for the future, not treading water. If Viney was also to depart, I wouldn’t be opposed to what you’re suggesting, but bringing in Steele will harm a rotation of Rivers, Koz, Langford, Lindsay and Windsor.

👀

Channel 7 News footage Cleary.

So was I, TBH.

Melbourne meets with Oliver