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Touch Of The Trade Week Fumbles: An epilogue

After the Crows’ dizzying success in last week’s AFL trade period, InDaily can exclusively reveal this fly-on-the-wall account of the desperate efforts to keep Jarryd Lyons at the Adelaide Football Club.*

Oct 24, 2016, updated Oct 24, 2016
Jarryd Lyons was pumped about how his contract talks were progressing. Photo: Ben MacMahon / AAP

Jarryd Lyons was pumped about how his contract talks were progressing. Photo: Ben MacMahon / AAP

Jarryd Lyons arrives for his end-of-season review with coach Don Pyke, who greets him at his office door.

DON PYKE: Ah, Jarryd, good to see you mate. Come in, take a seat.

He continues to stand at the door.

JARRYD LYONS: Thanks coach. … Um, you’re blocking the doorway.

DP: Ah yeah, sorry about that. Come in, make yourself at home.

He moves back half a step.

JL: Yeah, it’s actually still a bit hard to get in.

DP: Ah well, never mind, mate. Maybe we’ll just chat here, or out in the waiting room.

JL: No, that’s no good, Ricky Henderson’s out there.

DP: Oh, don’t worry about him. He’s always there. We’ve actually moved a trundle bed in there for him.

JL: Er… ok. Squeezing past Pyke into the room Look, I think I’d prefer to chat in your office if we can. What’s that? Points to a large TV screen showing season highlights of Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs.

DP: Ah, that’s nothing mate, just researching the opposition. I’m building up a dossier of the tactics used by other AFL coaches. Points to a stack of 16 thin manila folders on his desk.

JL: And what about that one? Points to a large accordion-style case of notes next to the pile.

DP: Yeah, that’s our dossier on the Western Bulldogs. Anyway, sit down.

Pyke sits behind the desk. Lyons looks around for a spare seat, but there isn’t one so he continues to stand around awkwardly.

Jarryd Lyons of the Crows gets a kick away before being tackled by Kane Lambert of the Tigers during the Round 19 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, in Adelaide, Friday, August 7, 2015. (AAP Image/Ben Macmahon) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Richmond’s Kane Lambert does an impression of the Adelaide Football Club ushering Jarryd Lyons gently to the door. Photo: Ben Macmahon / AAP

DP: So, how do you feel the year’s gone?

JL: I’m feeling pretty good about it. No more green vest, no more Paddy Dangerfield, and I’ve grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I’ve averaged more than 21 possessions across 20 matches, and kicked a goal in three out of every four games I played. Hey, what’s that? Points to a large framed picture of Bryce Gibbs on the wall behind the desk.

DP: Um, I’m not sure, I think that was there when I got here.

JL: Oh. But why does it have the number 31 down the bottom of it? Isn’t he number 4 at Carlton?

DP: Well… three and one make four don’t they?

JL: Thinking. I guess… Well, anyway, I can’t wait to get back out there in 2017 – just show me where to sign!

DP: Great news, mate. Reidy’s asked me to pass this on, we’ve got a new contract for you right here.

JL: Reads contract. Um… this isn’t a new contract. This is just my former contract with the original date crossed out and “2016” written in over the top.

DP: Is it? Takes paper back and reads it. Ah yeah, that won’t do. We were also supposed to cross out one of these zeroes at the end of your salary.

JL: That’s ridiculous. I’ve finally cracked the best 22 after six years and you offer me this? It’s a bit insulting, actually.

DP: Well, it may not look like much, mate, but there are considerable benefits on top of it.

JL: What, you mean like getting paid for marketing and promotions and stuff like that?

DP: Looks at him for a long time while stifling a laugh. No. But you do get to use the gym for free.

JL: Hang on a sec. What more could I have done? Did you see my 29 possessions against Brisbane in Round 20? I backed that up with 28 and seven tackles against Freo a week later…

DP: Really? I’m not sure, mate, I’ll have to look at the tape. But anyway, me and Reidy and Fages all felt you’d consider this a fair Bryce.

JL: A fair what?

DP: Um, price. A fair price for your services.

JL: Well, I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. I’m definitely keen to stay on though.

DP: Good idea. Give it some serious thought. Don’t rush into it. Actually, me and the boys chipped in and got you this. Hands over an envelope

JL: Opening it. A ticket to the Gold Coast?

DP: Yeah, have you ever been? It’s beautiful there at this time of year. In fact, all year round. Beautiful one day, perfect the next. That’s just the place to go and have a serious think about everything.

JL: But it’s only one-way.

DP: Yeah, that’s all we could afford. But if you want to come back again, you’ll be welcomed back here with open arms, as always.

JL: I’d have thought so; the midfield would look a bit thin if I didn’t, wouldn’t it? Unless you’ve got anyone else in mind?

Bryce Gibbs of the Blues passes as he's surrounded by Demons players during their round 22 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2016. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING

A random picture of Bryce Gibbs, inserted here for no apparent reason. Photo: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

DP: Well, that’s for Reidy to worry about. If there’s a delicate negotiation to be sorted out, he’s the man to do it. Hell, if you did decide to stay on the Gold Coast, I bet he’d prise some pretty valuable picks out of the Suns’ hands in exchange. But don’t you worry, Jarryd. There’s no ulterior motives here, no Plan B. We’re all about organic growth at the Adelaide Footy Club these days. So you just head up to sunny Queensland, put your feet up and Gibb the whole thing some thought.

JL: Pardon?

DP: Give it some thought. And we’ll see you again at pre-season. Or thereabouts.

JL: Ok, thanks coach. Should I send Hendo in on my way out?

DP: Hm? Ah no, all good mate. He can keep waiting.

NB: *This account may not be 100% factually accurate.

Even though we promised last time was the last Touch Of The Fumbles for 2016, this time we really mean it. 

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