Stevo's Sting: What's next for Michael Talia?

You have to feel for Harvey Stevens.

There are no winners in the "Ta-ta Talia" story, but the 85-year-old Bulldogs premiership hero must be broken hearted.

Perhaps he's the biggest loser of all.

Stevens played ruck in the '54 flag and is the grandfather of Michael and Daniel Talia.

Michael was given Stevens' No.32 and the pair spoke gleefully and posed for photos in the days after the young defender was drafted to the kennel.

"I have been following [the Dogs] since my early days," Stevens said at the time.

"I used to live in one of those houses right across the road from the ground (Whitten Oval). There's a lot of tradition."

That tradition at the Dogs hasn't been tarnished in recent days. It's been shredded.

Well known Bulldog fan Tony Leonard has more chance of playing for his beloved club next year than Michael Talia.

By now you've heard the accusations that Talia leaked info to his Crows brother in the lead up to the elimination final.

The Dogs have remained silent publicly. But this has been viewed as betrayal by some within.

It's a strong word betrayal, but it's been used.

Rest assured, the club and coach Luke Beverdige have been cut deeply. He is a loyal, passionate and at times emotional man, Beveridge, and it is no surprise he has refused to answer Talia's calls.

The Talias say it was just a brotherly chat. The AFL Players' Association were quick to dismiss it. The Crows say there's nothing in it, predictably declaring they didn't use any info anyway.

But there is genuine at the Dogs. Fury doesn't come without good reason. They must be convinced by the evidence at hand.

Ben Stratton, via Kyle Cheney, must have told his old Hawthorn mate Beveridge something alarming.

There's talk about detail of a tagging role for Tory Dickson and tactics involving Jake Stringer being revealed, but for now, as the integrity department of the AFL goes to work, there is no official explanation about why the Dogs are barking mad.

It's an interesting one for the integrity department. You get the feeling the probe will run out of steam, judging by past investigations.

I'm tipping the insufficient evidence line will get a run, as well as the friendly brotherly chat line trotted out by the AFLPA.

It's going to be very difficult to pin down the Talias on this.

Regardless, so much damage has been done. Talia will be traded, his place on the list a little precarious before this anyway.

The former Dogs coach Brendan McCartney refused to play Talia for most of 2014, leaving him in the VFL.

Talia started the season well under Beverdige and McCartney, to some, was made look like a dill?

How could he not play in 2014 ahead of Mark Austin? That was the obvious question.

But McCartney had doubts about his ability to defend and hold up in one on one battles. The old coach was proven correct this year as Talia fell away, struggling to hold his ground against the big forwards.

The Dogs will receive compo via a trade an attempt to move on quickly.

It is going to be tougher for the legend that is Harvey Stevens to move on.

No doubt the 85 year old will put his grandkids first.

Where does that leave his passion for his beloved club?

A likely exoneration from the AFL will do little to ease the pain.