While we're in a Hawks bashing mood, Ricky Nixon also unloaded on them today over Spida.

"I've been in the business for 15 years and the moves Hawthorn are making at the moment do not rub with me. They are big and bold statements they're making on the first day of trading, there's a long way to go before Friday."

Can someone clear up whether if Thornton has to consent to any trade we strike? I thought he did, but my mate seems to think that because he is out of contract we can send him anywhere we agree to trade him to, even without him agreeing.

Update on the afl site:

http://carltonfc.com.au/default.asp?pg= ... eid=302497

The following has come from a person very close to the Thornton family.

Bret never wished to leave Carlton. A while back, talks began with regards to a new contract. Currently on $250,000, Bret wished to have this increased to $275,000 for 3 years.

Carlton's immediate response was $220,000 for 2 years. This may fit in with the grading system used for pay negotiatons, and this figure may simply be the bottom amount for the grade that he was currently at. It is fair enough to assume that this amount would have been increased up towards his true worth. Anyway, I digress.

Bret was rather diasppointed with the original offer, and talks stalled for some time. For whatever reason, Carlton did not speak to Bret or his manager in regards to any increased offer.

At this time Bret was still a Carlton man. He enjoyed Carlton, had many friends, and had NO problems with Pagan. He was not a material person. In fact, he recently bought himself a new car - a second-hand Magna. Clearly, money wasnt an issue.

However as time moved on Carlton still did not get back to Bret, even though (apparently) numerous calls were made to the club to continue talks.

Throughout this time a number of clubs heard of this and jumped at the opportunity. Hawthorn placed an offer of $1 million over 3 years towards his management. Others were offered, although I am not sure of the details.

By the time Carlton got back to him, it was too late. It seemed as though Bret was not happy with only being offered a two year contract, as well a a pay decrease.

He wanted to have the contract settled before he left on holiday. When he left, I do not know, but he did speak to the club on Friday telling them he wanted out. Various people have asked why he hasn't been in the media, or why he's only been speaking via phone. This is because he is currently in Fiji with his girlfriend. I do not know when he gets back. His manager has been given power of attorney to negotiate everything for him.

He wanted it all finalised before he left.

This person stressed that Bret was happy at Carlton and wished to stay. He was happy with Denis, even though he knew others didnt like his ways. However as it had seemed that Carlton had forgotten about him, he decided to find a new home.

The only new information this can really give is that Bret wished to negotiate with Carlton but they were never in contact with him. Why this is the case is up for you guys to discuss, but I think it may have come during the Pagangate scandal 5 or so weeks ago, and may have just been placed on the backburner.

As for the source, the person is close to Bret and his siblings, as he and his siblings were raised by a single mother.

Take this information with a grain of salt, but even though it does not cover the entire story, it brings to light the chain of events from Bret's perspective that made him wish to leave.

Well there is shot over the bows if I ever saw one.

Count on it Brother,stay tuned!

The following has come from a person very close to the Thornton family.

Bret never wished to leave Carlton. A while back, talks began with regards to a new contract. Currently on $250,000, Bret wished to have this increased to $275,000 for 3 years.

Carlton's immediate response was $220,000 for 2 years. This may fit in with the grading system used for pay negotiatons, and this figure may simply be the bottom amount for the grade that he was currently at. It is fair enough to assume that this amount would have been increased up towards his true worth. Anyway, I digress.

Bret was rather diasppointed with the original offer, and talks stalled for some time. For whatever reason, Carlton did not speak to Bret or his manager in regards to any increased offer.

At this time Bret was still a Carlton man. He enjoyed Carlton, had many friends, and had NO problems with Pagan. He was not a material person. In fact, he recently bought himself a new car - a second-hand Magna. Clearly, money wasnt an issue.

However as time moved on Carlton still did not get back to Bret, even though (apparently) numerous calls were made to the club to continue talks.

Throughout this time a number of clubs heard of this and jumped at the opportunity. Hawthorn placed an offer of $1 million over 3 years towards his management. Others were offered, although I am not sure of the details.

By the time Carlton got back to him, it was too late. It seemed as though Bret was not happy with only being offered a two year contract, as well a a pay decrease.

He wanted to have the contract settled before he left on holiday. When he left, I do not know, but he did speak to the club on Friday telling them he wanted out. Various people have asked why he hasn't been in the media, or why he's only been speaking via phone. This is because he is currently in Fiji with his girlfriend. I do not know when he gets back. His manager has been given power of attorney to negotiate everything for him.

He wanted it all finalised before he left.

This person stressed that Bret was happy at Carlton and wished to stay. He was happy with Denis, even though he knew others didnt like his ways. However as it had seemed that Carlton had forgotten about him, he decided to find a new home.

The only new information this can really give is that Bret wished to negotiate with Carlton but they were never in contact with him. Why this is the case is up for you guys to discuss, but I think it may have come during the Pagangate scandal 5 or so weeks ago, and may have just been placed on the backburner.

As for the source, the person is close to Bret and his siblings, as he and his siblings were raised by a single mother.

Take this information with a grain of salt, but even though it does not cover the entire story, it brings to light the chain of events from Bret's perspective that made him wish to leave.