Matthew Lloyd feels Paddy Ryder owes Essendon because of how much they put into him.

Paddy Ryder was unlucky to miss out on All-Australian selection. Photo: Getty.

The ruckman’s camp feels Essendon owes Ryder because of how much they put into him.

Ryder is considering using a clause which states that – should the Bombers be shown to be in breach of contract over their 2012 supplements program – he could leave as a free agent.

• Lumumba set to walk away from Pies 
• Fyfe vows to learn from suspensions

Ryder’s partner was pregnant at the time of his interview with ASADA last year, during which the possibility of birth abnormalities on account of supplement use were reportedly raised.

If Ryder and his partner are seething, they have every right to be.

As always when love and money are involved, someone’s feelings will get hurt.

But, as Mark Robinson wrote in the Herald Sun last week, if Ryder was so disgruntled, why not up sticks this time last year?

After a career-best season, the 26-year-old’s market value has never been higher.

Is he dipping his toe in the Brisbane water to see how it feels? Has he had enough of court cases, claims, counter claims and a scrum of cameras on his way into training? Does his wife simply want to be nearer her family? All of the above? None of the above?

As always when love and money are involved, someone’s feelings will get hurt.

Relationship status: it’s complicated

Breaking up is hard to do: Heritier Lumumba.

The curious case of the artist formerly known as Harry-O just keeps getting curiouser.

First his latest falling out with Nathan Buckley was blamed on a homophobic slur on a poster in the Collingwood rooms, then it was about how “forcefully he expresses his views on football”.

One road he appears to be at the end of, however, is his tenure with Collingwood, which could be a tough break-up for both parties even though they know the love is gone.

Last year Heritier Lumumba arrived at training one morning in July and spoke of a “very complicated history of sexual abuse, suicide, depression, seeing someone get murdered, knowing who murdered that person, not being able to say something because that person will probably murder you”.

He then took personal leave. Lumumba clearly has demons, and how far he is down the road in dealing with them is unknown.

One road he appears to be at the end of, however, is his tenure with Collingwood, which could be a tough break-up for both parties even though they know the love is gone.

Running key defenders of Lumumba’s quality don’t grow on trees, and his history of disruption makes him a tough sell for other clubs.

Relationship status: it’s complicated

Can Mitch Clark get over his foot issues? Photo: Getty.

Melbourne supporters must be scratching their heads with news Mitch Clark is in the early stages of a comeback.

“I’ve always had the view that I need to get away to get back, and that’s what I’ve done. I’m keen to get back,” he told The Age on Monday before a meeting with Dees coach Paul Roos.

Get away? Surely he could have taken a leave of absence instead of retiring back in April. (As it stands he’s still on Melbourne’s list, and can’t be removed until the end of October).

Let’s hope he’s not pinning his hopes on returning to the game, and won’t spiral should a successful comeback not eventuate. They rarely do.

Clark sounds confused – completely understandable given he’s battling a mental illness.

Some Demons fans feel aggrieved with Clark, who arrived on a huge deal, was given Jim Stynes’ old jumper and managed just 15 games in two-and-a-half seasons.

That feeling would intensify if Clark shifted to another club, but they – like me – probably have just a rudimentary understanding of depression.

He said he’d love to stay at Melbourne, but Clark has a few boxes to tick before a comeback to top-level footy is anywhere close to reality.

Let’s hope he’s not pinning his hopes on returning to the game, and won’t spiral should a successful comeback not eventuate. They rarely do.

Relationship status: it’s complicated

Rumours James Frawley was unhappy in the pink socks were unfounded. Photo: Getty

On paper, James Frawley’s case appears the most black and white – 25-year-old key defender, highly regarded, sick of getting belted week-in, week-out seeks trade to club going places.

Meanwhile, the club who drafted him (with pick 12 in 2006) want a return on their investment.

He’s been linked with Geelong, Hawthorn, Gold Coast, Fremantle and GWS.

With no supplements, mental illness or homophobia in the mix, it seems as though Frawley is just being an ingrate, right?

Well, welcome to 2014 – jumpers don’t mean as much as they used to, money talks and players have a right to pursue their worth on the open market once they’ve performed a certain amount of service to their clubs, blah blah blah …

It’s a brave new world.

Relationship status: not so complicated