Alex Neal-Bullen requests trade from Melbourne to South Australia
Alex Neal-Bullen has asked Melbourne to be traded to South Australia at the end of the season in another blow for the embattled Demons.
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Premiership Demon Alex Neal-Bullen has requested a trade to South Australia.
As the Demons prepare for a summer of likely upheaval, Neal-Bullen has become the first star to ask to move on at season’s end.
The 28-year-old, who has played 174 games in red and blue, said the decision to depart Melbourne after 10 years was “an incredibly hard one”.
“It’s something that I thought long and hard about, and had some really open and honest conversations with my wife, Georgie, about where our best future lies,” Neal-Bullen said.
“The decision became clear that I need to put my family first, and move our family back to South Australia.
“For the club to allow me to do the best thing for my family, I can’t thank them enough.
“They’ve embraced me as an individual, and they’ve allowed me to grow into the footballer, but also the now father, that I am.
“I’m forever grateful that I’ve been able to play for this great club and still have two more games that I want to pour everything into, to make sure we finish the year off really strongly.”
The Demons this week dismissed speculation that Christian Petracca could seek a move, while fellow superstar Clayton Oliver’s future continues to be the subject of much conjecture.
Neal-Bullen has become a crucial role player for Melbourne, featuring at half-forward and as a midfield tagger this year.
Melbourne has been linked with Port Adelaide’s All-Australian defender Dan Houston, but it remains to be seen whether Neal-Bullen could be a makeweight in any trade.
Power coach Ken Hinkley said recently Houston was happy in South Australia.
The 27-year-old is contracted for a further three seasons.
Adelaide’s second-round pick (mid-to-late 20s) or Port Adelaide’s second-round pick (early-to-mid 30s) would appear to be in the ballpark for Neal-Bullen.
“Obviously, it will be incredibly disappointing for the club to farewell Alex. However, we understand how necessary this move is for him and his family,” Melbourne’s general manager of football Alan Richardson said.
“Throughout our discussions with Alex, it’s been incredibly telling how much he loves our football club, but given the nature of the circumstances, this is a decision he has to make.
“When the time is right, we will work closely with the South Australian-based clubs, to ensure the best possible outcome for the Melbourne Football Club in addition to Alex and his family.
“This is a sensitive situation for Alex, and we ask that his privacy is respected at this time.”
Originally drafted from Glenelg at pick 40 in the 2014 national draft, he has played 174 AFL games.
The Demons’ finals hopes ended with a two-point loss to Port Adelaide on the weekend, with the club being without a finals win since its 2021 premiership triumph over the Western Bulldogs.
The Neal-Bullen news followed Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert shutting down trade speculation Christian Petracca on Tuesday, who is contracted until the end of 2029.
In a letter to members, Pert declared Petracca would “remain in the red and blue until at least the end of his contract and hopefully beyond”.
Originally published as Alex Neal-Bullen requests trade from Melbourne to South Australia
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