John Crow Batty

I hope I’m very wrong but I have an uncomfortable feeling we may have seen the last of Trac at MFC. It just feels like the club is running the clock down till his exit. That interview with Gawn yesterday gave me the impression Gawn was quite [censored] off with him and that he may have burned off a lot of trust within the playing group.

“They've mostly focused on the fact that Tracc is contracted for next season, with Goodwin stating firmly that he will be playing in the red and blue next year. But once again, this implies the club is relying on his contract to keep him, rather than providing any clarity on his desires.” That’s the only leverage the club still hold on him. He wont get 5 seasons on huge coin at another club because he cant prove he hasn’t lost any ability due to his serious injury until he plays next season. Another hypothetical is that the club has doubts on a full recovery and may be trying to offload him.

In the current environment Melksham might get another season.

I assumed the Brisbane loss was an aberration but I saw the West Coast loss live and it was ugly and disturbing. Harked back to the Neeld days.

Yeah, his silence is deafening. I am sure there are behind the scenes talks going on with Trac and the club and Trac and other clubs. Likely kind of fence straddling ATM. If other clubs are interested they will be looking deeply into his current injury issues before they show any serious interest.

Round arm swings or clothe line whacks were rarely if ever reported. Only became a reportable offence after Rod Grinter flattened Terry Wallace.

That was a brutal game. A high hip and shoulder in the play wasn’t a reportable offence then no matter the hurt I believe.

When there is turmoil at a club, player managers(sharks) circle.

Maybe because no deal has been finalised, so he plays. If no deal I reckon he stays and makes other arrangements for his family. The money is too good to forgo especially with a new baby.

Been a perfect storm of everything that could go wrong has. Despite several bad games and enduring controversies we have been up for the fight even up to last round.

Trac if he really wants to leave will I assume is likely to take a hefty pay cut and shortened contract elsewhere. No sane club will take a punt taking on his current lengthy contract given the still unknown future consequences of his very serious injury.

Max has looked grumpy and frustrated most of the season. Not the laconic ebullient positivity of past seasons

A few disgruntled senior players left the Bulldogs in 2014. Two seasons later dogs got the flag.

With all the [censored] going on will Houston now want to come to us?

yeah, exactly the kind of player we need to keep during hard times.

Adelaide is a limited market for value.

Tom Morris 1 - Demonland 0.

Whatever it is, it’s;

Thats a nothing statement he said. He has to come out and unequivocally kill the rumour and clearly say he is staying put and not seeking a trade. This story has created a great stink and will only cause more harm unless he really wants to go in which case the circus will go on.

Despite all the turmoil at the club it does appear the players are still having a red hot go most games. I take heart in that though everything else talked about our club is becoming exhausting. 20 pages of comments in 15 hours must near a record for DL. I can’t wait to hear if and when the great man has anything to say. We may know in a couple of weeks. And what’s all the talk of Petracca’s family not happy with the club? This rumour has surfaced a few times in the past and not just this season. I don’t know if connected or true but it was reported in the years around the time of Petracca’s drafting that a certain players family were unhappy their son was drafted by the lowly Demons. Apparently they went to the AFL to complain to why their son couldn’t go to a premium club like Collingwood.

“an extra goal per game could have seen the club still vying for a qualifying final appearance”. Misuse of our only viable key forward likely cost us a finals spot. JVR’s forward time was interrupted far too much playing second fiddle in the ruck. Gave us many stillborn goals IMO. No other club as I am aware uses their best big forward to be the regular ruck relief.

Game lost by dog**** disposal in the last quarter.

All the ugliness of this season reprised in this game.