Some of these things trickle across my desk… or the kitchen table, where I’m working today, and they’re really not worth an article in their own right.
They are, however, a matter of interest to some. Or to me, at least. So, I thought I’d just bundle them into this column and whack it off… errr, I mean “whack it up” for your amusement.
TAYLOR ADAMS LEFT OUT OF THE SWANS TEAM
Far out, I kind of feel for the bloke; left Collingwood after it looked as though he was surplus to needs, and now, the same thing is occurring in Sydney.
You can picture the Swans and Pies approaching Taylor and saying, “It’s not us, Taylor… it’s you.”
The thing is, without an injury to another of the Swans’ mids, and a Sydney win, this is likely how his season ends. I’m sure this is not how he envisioned his life as a Swan – not even named as an emergency for the Prelim.
Ouch.
AFL ISSUES WARNING TO ESSENDON
Interesting that the AFL issued a warning to Essendon about certain people accessing the rooms after games.
Those ‘people’ were part of a friendship group with Jake Stringer and Nick Hind, and according to the Herald Sun. Whilst Hind has been delisted, this remains an issue in regard to Jake Stringer, particularly with his contract for 2025 and beyond up in the air. The Bombers have wisely offered one year – Jake wants more. Of course he does.
I was going to ask – is Jake Stringer a complete idiot? But then I realised most already know the answer to this.
There is no question he is aware of who he is dealing with and bringing into the club environment – the last time the AFL stepped in on a matter like this was when Jake King brought notorious bikie, Toby Mitchell, into the Richmond rooms, so draw your own conclusions as to why they’d be concerned, here.
If people think the contract negotiations with Stringer and the Bombers are all about money and length of contract, maybe they should be thinking again?
Buyer beware…
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA NOT AT DEES’ B&F AWARD
Is it just me, or are Melbourne coming across like a bunch of pussies when it comes to Petracca, at the moment?
I get that Trac has zero chance of winning it, and wants to head overseas to do his stuff with Red Bull over in Austria, but the Dees just rolling over and waving him goodbye with their blessing strikes me as a club who are so desperate to keep him, they’d probably allow him to do whatever he likes as long as he opts to remain a Demon.
What’s that, you like my car? It’s yours! Take it!
You fancy one of the admin staff? We can make it happen if you stay with us!
So many spotfires at Melbourne over the last 12 months, and you’d hope that there’d be some unity coming out the other side, but giving Petracca a pass not to attend is something I find poor, and also pretty disrespectful to the blokes who were out there and battling their hearts out for the club while he was on the sidelines.
That said, I understand why he wouldn’t want to be there, but wasn’t he already away from the club for a fair period whilst recovering? Sitting down for a while to honour the bloke who wins it would be a nice touch.
Also, in the wake of this, he is no longer Mrs Mongrel’s second-favourite player (after the “red headed lad from the Suns”). She considers this rude.
SICILY’S SLEDGE AT HINKLEY
So, now we know what the Hawthorn captain said to Ken Hinkley during their exchange.
Apparently, Sicily said that Port Adelaide had been “a nowhere club for eight years.”
That’s weirdly specific. It takes us back to the end of 2016. Let’s explore.
Since 2016, Port have made the finals five times. They’ve been in the Prelim twice – 2020, and this year.
And in contrast, Hawthorn have made finals twice in that time, for a record of 1-4.
Ever heard the saying “one swallow does not make a spring”? Well, one Elimination Final win does not make you relevant, either. Port have been more of a “somewhere club” than the Hawks have. He should have said “15 years”. At least that way, he gets to count three flags.
I stand by the opinion that Sic was pissed at his own shortcomings in the Semi, and took the opportunity to vent. Yep, doubling down.
I wonder whether the AFL needs another cash injection, or, perhaps because no former Port players in the media is sooking about what Sicily said, he’ll saunter off into the off-season with his bank balance intact?
COTCHIN POURS COLD WATER ON DUSTY’S SUNS CHANCE
People love a good rumour, and there is no bigger one than that of Dusty to the Suns.
Martin pulled the pin on his career during the 2024 season, but it was long rumoured he could end up at the Suns. That was squashed by Trent Cotchin during the week, who stated it is a “zero-to-one percent chance that he pulls on a Suns guernsey.”
Watching Dusty in 2024, it is probably a good thing he doesn’t go round again. He wasn’t exactly tearing it up, and I’d prefer to remember him as a Tiger, through and through.
PENDLES IN THE COMMENTARY BOX
Scott Pendlebury has always struck me as a bit of a cerebral type of player. Does this translate to analysing a game?
We’re about to find out.
Pendles has joined Channel Seven for the Preliminary Final and Grand Final coverage, which could be good, or it could be… not.
Most players who are still running around add precious little to the conversation, seemingly put off by giving too much away, or giving a potential opponent some ammunition the next time they meet. Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Riewoldt, and a couple of others have been down this path before, and just blend into the scenery. Hoping for a bit more from Pendles, but I also expect I won’t get it.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. It is a labour of love for me, and having you guys as members of the site basically keeps me going. So sincerely… thank you – HB
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