TedDougChris
🏆 🦍
- Mar 10, 2007
- 52,545
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- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
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- Charlton Athletic, Roys FFC
I'm going to say a tentative 'Yes', but it's very difficult.
We're seeing a trend of players being able to be selective where they go, the FA clause, the uneven fixtures, the uneven off-field expenditure and the compromised salary caps have meant that there is no fairness in the competition.
So for a struggling club to attract a FA, you need one that either supported that club as a kid and is willing to go there for comparible terms, or to pay over. Paying over for a player means it's more likely that someone else at the club would be squeezed out and we are all aware that depth of talent is one of key reasons for success.
A struggling club would need everything to go right to be successful. If the FA clauses change again, allowing players to leave earlier, I'd imagine that it will become even harder for the poorer clubs.
Just out of interest, Port in 2004 were the last poorer club to win a flag, that didn't either have a retention allowance or significant resources available. Even Geelong are a much wealthier club than many in the League (through hard work, good people and good recruitment to give them their due)... Pre-that you need to go to North in 1999 (I think). So one or two flags in the last 15 years.....
We're seeing a trend of players being able to be selective where they go, the FA clause, the uneven fixtures, the uneven off-field expenditure and the compromised salary caps have meant that there is no fairness in the competition.
So for a struggling club to attract a FA, you need one that either supported that club as a kid and is willing to go there for comparible terms, or to pay over. Paying over for a player means it's more likely that someone else at the club would be squeezed out and we are all aware that depth of talent is one of key reasons for success.
A struggling club would need everything to go right to be successful. If the FA clauses change again, allowing players to leave earlier, I'd imagine that it will become even harder for the poorer clubs.
Just out of interest, Port in 2004 were the last poorer club to win a flag, that didn't either have a retention allowance or significant resources available. Even Geelong are a much wealthier club than many in the League (through hard work, good people and good recruitment to give them their due)... Pre-that you need to go to North in 1999 (I think). So one or two flags in the last 15 years.....