Melbourne star requests trade in fresh blow to embattled Demons

A Melbourne premiership player has formally requested a trade, in another blow for the Demons as their fall from grace continues.

Alex Neal-Bullen has requested a trade to South Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Demons utility and premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen has formally requested a trade out of Melbourne.

The 28-year-old — contracted until the end of 2026 — wants to return to his home state of South Australia, with his decision said to be unrelated to any concerns about the club’s trajectory and instead for family reasons.

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He said in a club statement on Wednesday: “Since day one, I’ve felt the love from the footy club, so to make the decision to head home is 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.

“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.”

Alex Neal-Bullen has reportedly requested a trade to South Australia.. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Demons general manager of football Alan Richardson said: “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,” 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.”

Neal-Bullen, a much-valued member of the Demons’ brigade, signed a three-year deal early last year and has seen his forward-midfield role increase in Christian Petracca’s absence.

The Age’s Marc McGowan first reported that the Crows were aware of Neal-Bullen’s intention to move home but would let discussions take place at Melbourne, while Port Adelaide was more concerned with keeping draft capital in tow.

With Melbourne thought to be interested in bringing Power flanker Dan Houston home, could a player swap — including complementary draft picks — be on the cards?

The news comes after Nine’s Tom Morris reported Petracca was ‘disillusioned’ with the Demons’ direction. Demons CEO Gary Pert has rebuffed that claim.

If Neal-Bullen departs, he will join Angus Brayshaw (retirement), James Harmes (trade to Bulldogs) and Luke Jackson (trade to Fremantle) as recent departures from Melbourne.

OUT-OF-FAVOUR DOG WANTS A MELBOURNE HOME

If out-of-favour Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae departs the Kennel this year, he is almost a certainty to stay in Melbourne.

While it is not yet a guarantee that the 30-year-old will call it quits at the Dogs, he has played just 16 senior games this season — currently the lowest tally since his rookie campaign.

“Macrae’s going to have a really frank discussion with Luke Beveridge and the Dogs officials at season’s end,” began Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night.

“This is going to be the question: ‘do you see me in your senior plans for next year?’ And if it’s a bit of a ‘not sure’, well then, he’s going to assess his options elsewhere.

“The issue is, with his family set-up at the moment, he’s not particularly interested in leaving Melbourne. He’s 30 years old, he’s got a contract to 2027, and if he’s going to play in new colours next year, he wants to play at a Melbourne club.

Jack Macrae has fallen out of favour at the Dogs. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“You think of Carlton, Collingwood, St Kilda, Hawthorn, Richmond, North Melbourne, Melbourne — it doesn’t feel like there’s a natural fit.”

Clark floated the idea of moving to Geelong — possibly with current Bulldogs teammate Bailey Smith — but he was still uncertain that such a move might be in Macrae’s plans this year.

“This could be the curly one — I’m not sure how keen Jack Macrae is for the hour-commute down the highway,” Clark said.

“Could he partner up with Bailey Smith to go down to the Cattery? I’m not sure that is in his plans, I really think it is a Melbourne club that Jack Macrae wants to play at next year. It’s going to be interesting.”

Macrae is set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2027.

Originally published as Melbourne star requests trade in fresh blow to embattled Demons