philhawk
4 Sep 2007, 14:45
Fremantle plays hard ball with Hasleby
by Stephen Rielly
The Age (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/fremantle-plays-hard-ball-with-hasleby/2007/09/03/1188783158078.html)
THE idea that this year's October trade period will witness more activity than last gained currency last night with confirmation that Fremantle's Paul Hasleby will have to accept a substantial pay cut to continue his career in purple.
The Dockers have invited their former rising star winner and 2003 All-Australian to test the transfer market if, as his manager Anthony Van Der Wielen insists, he wants a new deal on similar or better terms than he has played on for the past three seasons.
Hasleby signed a three-year deal at the end of 2004 worth as much as $420,000 a season. It is understood that the Dockers have not yet put an offer to the 26-year-old midfielder, preferring instead to settle with the likes of Matthew Pavlich, Ryan Crowley, Daniel Gilmore, Aaron Sandilands and Brett Peake, but intend to offer no more than a two-year, $260,000 a season deal.
Van Der Wielen said yesterday that it was Hasleby's preference to remain with Fremantle, where he has played 166 matches and twice finished runner-up in the best and fairest, but not on lesser terms.
"They can't expect a player who is 26 and coming into the period of his career where traditionally players produce their best to accept less, particularly when the salary cap has risen an average of seven per cent per annum over the life of his current contract," Van Der Wielen said.
"The expectation that the club's highest possession winner will take a pay cut is … if anything he should be on the same or more. He won't be taking a pay cut, I've made that clear. If they're not prepared to match his current arrangement, that would probably force us to look elsewhere."
Fremantle chief executive Cameron Schwab suggested Van Der Wielen do so. "If he wishes to test the market, that's his right and he should. It's our preference that Paul continues to play for Fremantle but clearly we have some negotiations ahead of us and we won't be conducting those negotiations through the media," said Schwab, who added that a list-management meeting would be held later in the week that could have a bearing on the midfielder's future, among others.
Ryan Murphy's future is also less than certain as the Dockers consider how they might trade to acquire some speed. The Western Bulldogs' Farren Ray is thought to be in Fremantle's considerations.
Hasleby has been beset by physical problems over the life of his current contract, including issues with his feet, back and groin, but has missed only eight games in the three years. He played 20 this year but not round 22, after being suspended by the club for missing a recovery session six days before the match.
Van Der Wielen said Hasleby understood he "let himself and the club down" by missing the session, especially as the match, against Port Adelaide, was a farewell for stalwart Troy Cook. He denied, though, that a split was inevitable.
"Paul wants to be a part of Fremantle's future. That's not to say that he mightn't end up at another club. Like anyone out of contract … if we can't close the deal on a new contract in the next three or four weeks then I suppose a trade is a possibility, something either party might want to investigate. But right now, both parties are keen to stay together."
Meanwhile, Schwab and chairman Rick Hart met Mark Harvey's management late last week to discuss terms for the caretaker coach to take the job on a permanent basis. An announcement is expected next week.
Would we be interested? Would add some more class to our midfield.
by Stephen Rielly
The Age (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/fremantle-plays-hard-ball-with-hasleby/2007/09/03/1188783158078.html)
THE idea that this year's October trade period will witness more activity than last gained currency last night with confirmation that Fremantle's Paul Hasleby will have to accept a substantial pay cut to continue his career in purple.
The Dockers have invited their former rising star winner and 2003 All-Australian to test the transfer market if, as his manager Anthony Van Der Wielen insists, he wants a new deal on similar or better terms than he has played on for the past three seasons.
Hasleby signed a three-year deal at the end of 2004 worth as much as $420,000 a season. It is understood that the Dockers have not yet put an offer to the 26-year-old midfielder, preferring instead to settle with the likes of Matthew Pavlich, Ryan Crowley, Daniel Gilmore, Aaron Sandilands and Brett Peake, but intend to offer no more than a two-year, $260,000 a season deal.
Van Der Wielen said yesterday that it was Hasleby's preference to remain with Fremantle, where he has played 166 matches and twice finished runner-up in the best and fairest, but not on lesser terms.
"They can't expect a player who is 26 and coming into the period of his career where traditionally players produce their best to accept less, particularly when the salary cap has risen an average of seven per cent per annum over the life of his current contract," Van Der Wielen said.
"The expectation that the club's highest possession winner will take a pay cut is … if anything he should be on the same or more. He won't be taking a pay cut, I've made that clear. If they're not prepared to match his current arrangement, that would probably force us to look elsewhere."
Fremantle chief executive Cameron Schwab suggested Van Der Wielen do so. "If he wishes to test the market, that's his right and he should. It's our preference that Paul continues to play for Fremantle but clearly we have some negotiations ahead of us and we won't be conducting those negotiations through the media," said Schwab, who added that a list-management meeting would be held later in the week that could have a bearing on the midfielder's future, among others.
Ryan Murphy's future is also less than certain as the Dockers consider how they might trade to acquire some speed. The Western Bulldogs' Farren Ray is thought to be in Fremantle's considerations.
Hasleby has been beset by physical problems over the life of his current contract, including issues with his feet, back and groin, but has missed only eight games in the three years. He played 20 this year but not round 22, after being suspended by the club for missing a recovery session six days before the match.
Van Der Wielen said Hasleby understood he "let himself and the club down" by missing the session, especially as the match, against Port Adelaide, was a farewell for stalwart Troy Cook. He denied, though, that a split was inevitable.
"Paul wants to be a part of Fremantle's future. That's not to say that he mightn't end up at another club. Like anyone out of contract … if we can't close the deal on a new contract in the next three or four weeks then I suppose a trade is a possibility, something either party might want to investigate. But right now, both parties are keen to stay together."
Meanwhile, Schwab and chairman Rick Hart met Mark Harvey's management late last week to discuss terms for the caretaker coach to take the job on a permanent basis. An announcement is expected next week.
Would we be interested? Would add some more class to our midfield.