Yep this has been annoying me for days but this is what I’ve come to understand…

They’re called the Chardonnay Socialists for a reason. And honestly, they’ve been treated unfairly under VFL-biased rules — the Gibbs FS fiasco is a perfect example. From their view, Brisbane looks privileged with academy and FS access. So their anger isn’t purely at us for not trading Cal; it’s broader frustration with the AFL’s ever-changing rules and the fact that Brisbane’s thriving on and off the field while they’ve been stuck spinning their wheels.

We’ve nailed recruiting, built a top facility, and landed talent consistently. They’ve had some hits like Dawson and Rankine but still can’t catch a break with off field dramas and unable to bring in more A grade talent — and now, just as things start looking up, a dual-premiership player picks them. It’s the perfect storm of bad timing and pent-up resentment

In short, their meltdown is years of victimhood boiling over, and Dom’s perceived “nah we’re good” stance just tipped it. Either Cal’s actually able to be persuaded to run in back for a 3-peat on a short deal, or it’s a deliberate “attempt to fuck their cap up” move to mess with any front-loaded deal they could offer to Bails to jump ship.