- Feb 8, 2013
- 3,259
- 4,329
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
My two cents, but does anyone else think that, given the lack of a TAC competition, let alone a national championship, and apparently no consensus in terms of who should go No 2 in the draft (it seems that 4-5 names have been thrown up), that it would be fool hardy to ship Brad Crouch off?
I get the logic if it was this time last year, when you had two clear standouts in Rowell and Anderson (let alone 2018 when you had Walsh, Rankine, King etc), but this year we simply dont have that "exposed form".
In the circumstances, I would have thought the best strategy is simply to sign Brad to a 3 year, 600k odd deal (which I honestly think he would accept). He is a proven commodity and (when not injured) really is the backbone of that midfield. Also remember Rory will retire in the next year or two, so whoever we draft next year (when, most likely, we will have a pick between 1-5 again) will still get time in the centre.
Importantly as well, I think we are slowly improving the culture at the club, which in turn will help us retain players. To ship off a player that clearly wants to be here, in favour of a kid who is, at best, a 50:50 proposition of being a "star", let alone wants to be based in SA, is very dangerous in that regard.
Pick 2 is amazing even in a weak draft year. I'm sure we could easily swap it for someone else's first rounder next year if we don't rate this years crop.
If we keep Brad his 'value' ends in a few years and given his injury history we likely to not even get 3 full years of good performances. If we take pick 2 we could get 10 years or more from that player. We could even trade the player for more picks when they're in their late twenties. Further parlaying on the value.
The 'clearly wants to be here' narrative has only come about after no one wants to pay him the big bucks last year. Also good PR for him when if he is traded this year, pretending he was/is loyal.
Brad wants more than $600k, hence the $1m asking price last year. He knew he wouldn't get that but obviously wanted $800K plus. He is not accepting $600k from us unless he cannot get materially more elsewhere. Likely wants more than 3 years too.