Adding to the speculation was the arrival of the Carlton communications team at Etihad Stadium. By this time the media were convinced something big was happening. The question was, ‘who was the big fish Carlton were looking to recruit?’
A number of names were thrown around by the media; Kerr and Cloke being two of them. While there was absolutely no basis to the rumours it didn’t stop the media from running with the ideas. After all it made for good radio and social media discussion.
Even a chat with the media by Carlton’s General Manager Communications didn’t stop the speculation. And this was after an all-in interview at Etihad Stadium with Carlton’s new recruit Andrew Collins. It was explained to the media that members of Carlton’s communication team were there to coordinate this media interview and to keep supporters up to date on what was happening via Carlton’s social media.
As for why the Carlton President had come along to the final day of the Exchange Period? The simple explanation was that Stephen Kernahan had been doing business nearby and had some papers to hand to the CEO, Greg Swann. It seemed a good idea to drop them off and also say hello to the Carlton people involved on the day. Still that explanation was too simple, the media were convinced there was more to it than that.
When the Jeremy Laidler deal was completed the media were still convinced the Blues were working on a ‘big trade’. In the end they realised, at 2.00pm when the Exchange Period closed, that there was never a big deal being discussed. But they were happy to have a chat to Jeremy Laidler who made his way into Etihad Stadium for a quick interview with Brett Ratten.
The rumours certainly make for an interesting time during the Exchange Period but it is also very frustrating. It is always good to wait until the close of trades, then you know what has really happened, not what people are dreaming up just to add some excitement into the period.
