I originally posted this in the Hawthorn match day thread & then on reflection felt it didn't belong there and more appropriate here:

Mike Fitzpatrick was on "Open Mike" this week which covered a wide range in the 30 mins available, which included only briefly Buddy & Goodsey (didn't record it, so going by my single viewing). When Sheahan brought up Buddy, Fitzpatrick reckoned he was happy Buddy went to the Swans even though he hoped he'd go to GWS to help kick start them like Plugger did with us (*cough *cough). Fitzpatrick played down his abusive phone call to Colless & queried whether Colless did record it. He proudly claimed he was the last defender of the Swans COLA, but had to remove it after we got Tippett & Buddy in successive years. Sheahan then said to Fitzpatrick "are you saying the Swans manipulated the Cola to get Tippett & Buddy?" (which he did very much came across like that). Fitzpatrick said no they didn't (probably to save himself from Swans legal action). Disappointed Sheahan did not raise & press him on the consequent trade ban.

On the Goodes booing, he more or less admitted the AFL were slow in recognising the Goodes booing was racially motivated only because they hadn't witnessed anything like that before & it took the West Coast game before they realised it!!!!! (I was gobsmacked). Sheahan questioned whether the AFL's response was strong enough. Fitzpatrick said intent was for their statement to be strong but admitted it didn't come across that way (no @@@@ Einstein!). Finished up Fitzpatrick saying he hoped Goodes isn't lost to the game & was confident he'll return (he didn't sound sincere or convincing for entire interview).

Footnote: During the height of the trade ban, I was working in the Melb CBD & would sometimes see Fitzpatrick getting lunch from same food court I frequented. Had to restrain myself each time from going over & give him a piece of my mind of what I thought of his treatment