Crows plan Walker talks!

[cmndstab]

My cross examination of Trigg would go for days.

I'd watch it

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

You say that as if it took us a long time to sign him and only got it done at the last minute. The reality is we signed him a full 12 months before his contract expired and a full 12 months before the Gold Coast even joined. That's got to be the earliest we've signed anyone for a long time, if ever.

Seems to me like it wasn't the struggle you are painting it to be.

Why did feel we needed to venture so far outside our norm?

Do you really know that for sure or are you just making assumptions?

I know the former, assume the latter.

The Crows are likely to play no part in the AFL's annual five-day swapfest, despite this year's trade week expected to be busier than normal ahead of the draft lock-out with the Gold Coast's entry in the 2010 national draft.

Adelaide football operations manager John Reid this week is aiming to have contracts signed by all Crows players not at risk of being delisted by the end of next month.

He has no player - unlike half-back Martin Mattner at the end of 2007 - asking to find greater opportunity at a rival AFL club.

"So I don't expect us to be busy next week," Reid said. "Our major focus will remain on Kurt Tippett."

There was speculation about Tippett leaving. There was speculation about Bock leaving. It annoys when people say See? We signed Tippett despite all the speculation that he was leaving so there is nothing to worry about.

 

[sydney_crow]

As a sidebar to this thread I think it is inevitable, with the spectre of free agency looming and the willingness of clubs to trade increasing, that the industry (clubs and players) moves towards longer contract lengths as you see in other professional sports leagues (NBA, NFL, EPL, etc).

I think in this day and age it should be considered poor management to have any key player (top 20 on your list - perhaps others get dealt with differently) coming out of contract. Far better IMO to have them signed up to multi-year deals (3-5 years) and then if you haven't been able to re-sign them to an extension with at least one year remaining to actively trade them away whilst they still have value to the club.

The club doesn't face the unenviable position of losing players for nothing and the players get increased job security (long-term contracts) even if the reality is that they end up moving before the end of the term.

To have the situation as exists today with virtually the whole list on two year contracts (or less) such that more than half are coming out of contract at any given season is *way* too much risk for the clubs too be taking on. This has got to change soon...

 

[Crow-mo]

Look even Craig was in the paper last week talking about how "I just want to concentrate on my footy, so going to defer contract til end of year" is bullshit.

which it is.

just like Tippett did, Walker is going to listen to offers. only an idiot would think otherwise, regardless of what Tippett says on Radio.

what's more, players remain friends long after parting ways and going on to different clubs. Tippett is going to be pretty relaxed about his buddy doing whats best for him, just like he did.

We know Walker wants to field offers, Trigg and Craig have said as much. in the end, he may well stay. who knows. but if we want him to stay, we have to pay.

 

[Niximus]

LOL I just realised in his profile on the AFC site..

Earliest football memory: Winning an A-grade Premiership in Broken Hill in 2007.

Perhaps Taylor doesn't want to look at a contract yet becuase by the time he is ready to sign one he will have forgotten this one anyway.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Interesting quote by Scott Pendlebury, he says "Obviously I want to get the best deal I can, but I am very happy at Collingwood and I'd like to be a one-club player - that's probably my priority.

"I can promise everybody I will play the best I can this season.".

This is all I'm looking for from Taylor Walker, the longer it goes without him making some sort of statement, the louder the voices and rumors of him signing with Western Sydney will get.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-magpie-for-life/story-e6frf9jf-1226015652989

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Now it's Tom Scully turn

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport...-star-tom-scully/story-e6freck3-1226015805893

"No, there's been no approach, absolutely not," Scully said.

"Definitely haven't spoken to GWS and definitely haven't signed something."

"If I did have an approach the club (Melbourne) would be the first to know."

"I feel that I should come out and say something and this is my stance," he said.

"I love the club, I love all my teammates and I just want to be a part of the future at the footy club."

Tick, tick, tick come on Taylor Walker....say you want to stay.

 

[WALL-e]

Bock said he wanted to stay, would that make you sleep easier?

 

[jo172]

Bock said he wanted to stay, would that make you sleep easier?

Indeed, I don't believe anything re this situation until it's been officially denied.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Those weren't shadows.

We had to throw a huge pile of money at him and didn't get his signature until after our best and fairest.

The club had to do an unbelievable amount of work and scrap their preferred payscale to keep him.

We wouldn't have had to go to these lengths if there was only a minimal, shadowy chance that he was leaving.

Thats not quite true!

Him staying on was announced at the B&F! I was there and remember it very well. I also remember hearing some whispers about it being announced at the B&F a couple of days before the event which I posted here.

I agree that we had to pony up more than we origininally hoped but Tippett was signed sealed and delivered before the B&F and with a year to run on his contract.

I think one of the reasons we were able to keep him was that we offered him a 2 year extension on top of the current deal but as part of the extension we re-negotiated the last year of the remaining contract to ansure that he starts getting paid straight away. So really we "waived" the last year of his deal at the time that would have taken him to the end of last season and then given him a 3 year deal at a significantly increased payscale.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Bock said he wanted to stay, would that make you sleep easier?

It would help. Yes

 

[Slippery Pete]

It would help. Yes

See the thing is, saying you "want" to stay doesn't mean anything.

Translation: "I want to stay.....and if the Crows can throw the same sh*tload sum of money at me I will....."

We all know the reason Bock left and it had nothing to do with want.

 

[afc1991]

Those weren't shadows.

We had to throw a huge pile of money at him and didn't get his signature until after our best and fairest.

The club had to do an unbelievable amount of work and scrap their preferred payscale to keep him.

We wouldn't have had to go to these lengths if there was only a minimal, shadowy chance that he was leaving.

Agree with this, but....

The thing is, and I dont think it gets discussed much, is that while we had to pay handsomely and work to keep him, surely our offer still didnt come close to GC. In the same way we werent "in the same library" with Bocks offer, wouldnt it be safe to suggest the same with Tippett? Watching the suns pre season, they look to have the makings of an ok backline, plenty of up and coming midfield talent... but sweet fa to kick to.

Tipp would have been a perfect fit on the field, plus all the PR jazz as he was a local. I just think they would have been offering him what they offered Bock- and then some. Yet he stayed.

 

[afc1991]

See the thing is, saying you "want" to stay doesn't mean anything.

Translation: "I want to stay.....and if the Crows can throw the same sh*tload sum of money at me I will....."

We all know the reason Bock left and it had nothing to do with want.

Also I always chuckle when a player says "no I havent even spoken to (team x)"

And they can say that without a word of a lie because we all know managers do that.

 

[Godallblighty]

Yep, Scully's wording was hardly unequivocal.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/i-havent-been-approached-by-gws-scully-20110304-1bh0p.html

‘‘There’s been no approach (from GWS), absolutely not. All that stuff is external. I’ll leave that to my management and the club (Melbourne) to sort out.

My main focus is playing footy and I’m looking forward to getting out there. I just want to play out my full two years at the club and see how I go.’’

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/i-havent-been-approached-by-gws-scully-20110304-1bh0p.html

So, apart from saying that he would like to be a one-club player and anticipates that being the case, all he has really confirmed is that he has not spoken personally with anyone from GWS and he'll see out his current contract.

If I were a Melbourne supporter, I'd get no comfort from that. The door is well and truly open.

And that's entirely understandable. If players are going to get the best deal for themselves, all the suitors need to think they're in with a chance.

On the other hand, if the deal is already done, then you just need to do the honourable thing and declare your intentions.

 

[afc1991]

On the other hand, if the deal is already done, then you just need to do the honourable thing and declare your intentions.

It should be compulsory, so that the current club knows their other uncontracted players are safe.

In theory Bock could have signed with the suns way back in the beginning- while Tippetts management jacks up his price based on the threat of being poached as an uncontracted player- when infact he is safe. (I know it didnt play out like that but it could)

 

[relapse]

After watching the Gold Coast last night I feel slightly safer now about not losing Walker.

It will be interesting to see if GC continue to flounder whether this will be detrimental to GWS' recruiting ability. Players would have watched that last night and reality would have hit that it's not all chocolate and roses going to a new club.

After seeing the Gold Coast with Ablett, Bock, Brown, Harbrow, Brennan, Rischitelli, Fraser and Harris in the side get smashed by 20 goals in their first game at home and showing a very clear sign that they are going to struggle to even be competitive this year, if I was a young player I certainly wouldnt be on the first bus up to GWS.

 

[Boundryump]

Listening to ABC radio here in the Riverland yesterday and they said the Biglands announced on radio that Walker has already signed with GWS, wonder if there's any truth in this?

 

[Crow-mo]

i wonder if gold coasts biggest problem
isn't who they recruited more than anything else.

Wallsy wrote a brilliant article about ablett recently wondering whether he's the kinda person to thrive in that environment, combined with absolute spuds like N Krakoeur & system defenders like bock.

 

[chigwidden]

i wonder if gold coasts biggest problem
isn't who they recruited more than anything else.

Wallsy wrote a brilliant article about ablett recently wondering whether he's the kinda person to thrive in that environment, combined with absolute spuds like N Krakoeur & system defenders like bock.

I wondered the same. Watching that piece about "Ablett talks about moving to the Gold Coast" on the AFL site - he said thathe's more of a lead by example captain. Which i great, if he has a side that will learn that way, but I don't think the GCS are that team. Watching it, you could hear Blight's frustration with the structures and basic positioning, and you could see hesitation (especially in the first quarter). They'll improve, no dubt about it, but I saw Bock doing more leading by example, and I'm not sure Gary Jr is really captain material.

 

[Elite Crow]

Listening to ABC radio here in the Riverland yesterday and they said the Biglands announced on radio that Walker has already signed with GWS, wonder if there's any truth in this?

Well if thats the case he would be cringing if his goal is to play in a winning team. As Relapse pointed out players would surely have to take be thinking twice. The Gold Coast recruited experienced players, if Scully is their no 1 target then he is merely a boy amongst boys.

As a sportmen surely your goal is to play well in a winning team. Understandbly you want to be paid very well for it, but when youre on a very good salary how much do you sacrifice enjoying your footy for more dollars?

You also get the feeling Tex loves the big stage, playing in front of 35-40K every second week compared to 15k would also have to be a consideration.

 

[footy4ever]

Money talks. If the money's right, he'll go.

 

[Elite Crow]

Money talks. If the money's right, he'll go.

And if that is the case then enjoy the pain, because he is going to have to earn his money.

I might be naive though and reckon Tex wants to enjoy his football.

 

[WAG]

Well if thats the case he would be cringing if his goal is to play in a winning team. As Relapse pointed out players would surely have to take be thinking twice. The Gold Coast recruited experienced players, if Scully is their no 1 target then he is merely a boy amongst boys.

As a sportmen surely your goal is to play well in a winning team. Understandbly you want to be paid very well for it, but when youre on a very good salary how much do you sacrifice enjoying your footy for more dollars?

If you have a look at the players already linked with GWS (albeit rumours), there aren't any that jump out with leadership. Daisy, Scully, Tex, Pearce, Carlisle (I think). None of them strike me as being able to really take the game by the scruff of the neck. Are there any others that have been mentioned?

You also get the feeling Tex loves the big stage, playing in front of 35-40K every second week compared to 15k would also have to be a consideration

I thought this as well. I really hope he was watching last night.

What is the process if a player has agreed to go to GWS and then changes their mind? When they sign their intent to move (I forget the actual term) is that a legally binding document?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I wonder if in hindsight whether Ablett and co wish they had announced they were leaving much, much earlier.

They delayed the announcement as much as they could so as not to offend their existing club. But did this prevent others who were umming and ahhing from signing on? If other players had heard 12 months out that Ablett was definitely going, would they have been more inclined to sign on?