Dane Swan, Dale Thomas laugh at Collingwood as AFL reacts to fire sale

If it wasn’t enough to cop it from the entire footy world, Collingwood also had to endure barbs from Dane Swan and Dale Thomas.

Dane Swan and Dale Thomas took shots at Collingwood.

Collingwood was mocked from far and wide after an incredible end to the AFL Trade Period saw the Magpies ship out stars Adam Treloar and Jaidyn Stephenson in what was described as a “fire sale”.

What was perceived externally as salary dumping because of cap pressure but described by Collingwood as moves made to improve their draft position shocked the footy world.

RELATED: Magpies blame Treloar heartbreak on wife

From past players, to former rivals, to high-profile fans, the media and the club itself, here’s how Australia reacted to a dark day in the black and white’s history.

SWANNY AND DAISY STICK THE BOOT IN

When you’re copping it from former champions of your own club you know you’ve lost the PR battle.

2010 premiership heroes Dane Swan and Dale Thomas joined the pile-on by making fun of the decision to offload Treloar, Stephenson and Tom Phillips and Atu Bosenavulagi while only receiving one pick (14) of significant value.

Would love to chat to some of Ned Guys former school mates, just wonder how his lunchbox swaps went. Will you swap my banana for your roll up, donut, tiny teddies and burger rings ..... sure #tradeweek #trusttheprocess

— Dale Thomas (@DThomas_39) November 12, 2020

Collingwood in the last couple of hours of trade week. pic.twitter.com/4afOYwfyRh

— Dane Swan (@swandane) November 12, 2020

There were plenty of former Collingwood rivals chipping in too.

Sydney Swans great Jude Bolton said he was “feeling for Collingwood supporters”.

“Absolute fire sale,” Bolton tweeted. “Controlling the list and management of the TPP (total player payments) has never been more important, particularly with shrinking rosters.”

Former Hawthorn and West Coast player Xavier Ellis added: “Collingwood rest their heads on the pillow tonight with the feeling I get every Saturday on the punt. Fleeced and wondering why?”

Port Adelaide champion Warren Tredrea suggested rival clubs were picking the bones of the Magpies’ carcass while Hawks premiership star Brian Lake wanted Magpies list manager Ned Guy fired.

AFL clubs picking off Collingwood players. pic.twitter.com/a2p6RC5seX

— Warren Tredrea (@warrentredrea) November 12, 2020

Ned Guy pic.twitter.com/tIKZcG2n1i

— Brian Lake (@BrianLake17) November 12, 2020

‘I’VE NEVER FELT THIS FLAT’

Comedian and Channel 10 star Peter Helliar is one of the Magpies’ higher-profile fans and was feeling as disconsolate as the diehards on Thursday evening.

“Love my footy club and maybe there is a master plan that will unfold ahead of us but even with that said … I have never felt this flat as a Pies supporter than right now. At some point the members will need all this explained,” Helliar tweeted.

Former North Melbourne player turned Fox Footy pundit David King was stunned by the developments.

“We’ve never seen anything like this, I’m struggling to get my head around clearing $2 million in a salary dump at the expense of some wonderful young talent that you’re going to try and find the next wildcard talent in the draft,” he said.

“I’m struggling to get my head around this being part of any plan.”

The Age’s Jake Niall said Treloar and Stephenson had paid the price for years of bad trades and contracts, including Dayne Beams, Mason Cox, Ben Reid, Chris Mayne and Daniel Wells.

“The Pies have cleared the decks. In future years, they may well benefit from the fire sale. But, right now, the abrupt removal of the Band-Aid really hurts,” Niall wrote.

“And then clever Collingwood turns their picks into even better picks, drafts the next Peter McKenna and lives happily ever after....”
Sorry. Just putting my kid to bed with a fairytale. Goodnight.

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) November 12, 2020

Phil Gould declares Collingwood’s trade period a success.

— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) November 12, 2020

BUCKLEY’S ‘TOUGHEST DAY IN FOOTY’

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has lost multiple grand finals as a player and coach but sent out a tweet on Thursday evening describing the final day of the trade period as “my toughest day in footy … bar none”.

“Managing contracted players who love the environment out of the club is a lose/lose situation in the short term. The decisions aren’t popular but they were necessary. I wish Adam, Jaidyn, Tom and Atu all the best at their new clubs,” he tweeted.

List manager Ned Guy, who fronted up by accepting an interview request with Fox Footy, did his best to put a positive spin on the situation.

“It’s not a fire sale at all. We wanted to replenish the list. To get into the first round you’ve got to give something up,” Guy said.

“It’s part of a plan we all put together and one we executed today. As I said, we looked to get to the draft to replenish our list.

“The salary cap issue is a bit of a beat up. It’s topical. We don’t think it is as bad as people have put out there.”

PLAYERS DISAPPOINTED, BROKEN-HEARTED

Stephenson said he had been shocked to hear from his manager he might be traded in the lead-up to the trade period.

“I actually rang Bucks and asked what was happening. He said for me to pursue a trade as heavily as I can,” Stephenson told SEN.

“Bucks said I hadn’t opened up to the group enough which I didn’t really agree with. He also said there was some things he didn’t like as a footballer which is fair enough because I didn’t have a great year.

“That phone call I made to the Bucks was the only time I spoke to anyone in the hierarchy at Collingwood. I did have a lot of messages from the players.”

Jaidyn Stephenson won the 2018 AFL Rising Star Award. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Adam Treloar is headed to his third club after playing just short of 100 games for Collingwood. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Treloar is scheduled to hold a press conference at Whitten Oval on Friday.

His manager Tim Hazell said his client was disappointed “to get the tap on the shoulder”.

As the final day of the trade period began and Treloar’s future was still unsecured the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph said “people close to him say that he is broken-hearted”.

After the Magpies sent him to the Dogs along with picks 26, 33 and 42 in the draft in exchange for pick 14, Treloar’s close friend and former GWS teammate Sam Darley tweeted: “One day all will be revealed but all I can say is Ads is one happy man to be a Western Bulldog but as much as it’s a business the way he was treated was embarrassing. Understand it’s a business but wow hope it’s all told one day.”