Player Watch #44: Cameron Zurhaar - [AFL.com] NM offers 5yr deal - CZ interest from SYD/GC - CZ mgr says 'wants to see improvement' & 'team success'

[FootySmartSimpson]

And this is ok?

Not at all. It was meant to be semi-facetious.

It’s one of the reasons I couldn’t care less if he leaves.

As much as we are crying out for players from the pre-2020 drafts, it is these players in our team that are causing the issues, mostly being out of form and providing zero leadership.

 

[justroyal]

Not at all. It was meant to be semi-facetious.

It’s one of the reasons I couldn’t care less if he leaves.

As much as we are crying out for players from the pre-2020 drafts, it is these players in our team that causing the issues, mostly being out of form and providing zero leadership.

Well said. I just find it extremely sad/funny how we’ve all known this since the end of last year, all pre-season and from the first Freo loss. All pre-season it was ‘it’s the senior guys that need step up and make this club their own’ and they dish this up?
I’m almost certain that from Scott, to Jy, Luke and McDonald. None of these senior players have played or demonstrated any actual level of intent on game day. Absolutely zero.

 

[giantroo]

Spoiler

$800,000 for Zurhaar? The players and clubs who will be key to AFL’s silly season​

Marc McGowan

6–8 minutes


Richmond, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne are among seven clubs that loom as major movers and shakers in this year’s player movement sweepstakes.

That trio joins Hawthorn, West Coast, Adelaide and St Kilda in occupying seven of the bottom eight spots on the ladder almost one-third of the way through the season while at varying stages of their list builds.

Each has big decisions to make on whether they are buyers or sellers, although some face the prospect of players choosing for them if they jump first.

The Eagles, buoyed by an injection of Harley Reid-infused optimism, project as potential buyers from two of the teams above, with ex-Tigers recruiting boss Matt Clarke now in charge of West Coast’s list.

The future for Liam Baker – who is on the Dockers’ and Eagles’ radar – and Jack Graham is interesting at Richmond; rivals should at least inquire about restricted free agent Blake Hardwick and fellow Hawk Changkuoth Jiath, whose injury history has complicated negotiations; and Cam Zurhaar’s restricted free agency situation at North promises to last many more months.

Fremantle are in a stronger position than West Coast to get a deal done for Baker, who is not a free agent, if he opts to return home, given they have three first-round selections and are already finals contenders, but player preference is usually the deciding factor in these cases.

Two list-management sources told this masthead on the condition of anonymity, to be able to speak more freely, that a club would consider paying Zurhaar as much as $800,000 a season to get him out of Arden Street.

That potential figure would, as with Ben McKay last year, prompt Brady Rawlings, Will Thursfield – newly promoted to retention manager, on top of his recruiting duties – and co. to contemplate if the compensation was irresistible.

There is no certainty on how much it would take to trigger band-one compensation, which delivers a first-round pick, since last year’s new collective bargaining agreement, which will significantly spike player wages in the seasons ahead.

One of Zurhaar’s agents, Tom McConville, of Mac’s Sports, told the AFL’s media arm: “He’s a free agent, so he’s done his time and put himself in the position to really have a good think about what he wants to do … he’s got a fair bit to weigh up, so [it is] unclear as to where it sits at the moment.”

McConville also confirmed there was “a lot” of interest in the North Melbourne forward.

The Saints commonly swing for the fences – think Jordan De Goey and Tom De Koning – and are not afraid or embarrassed to miss, with Kangaroos midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, a “pre-agent” this year, one of their prime targets.

Then there are Luke Beveridge’s and Sam Power’s Bulldogs.

They appear to be mired in another middle-of-the-road season, with restricted free agent and last year’s All-Australian ruckman Tim English, Bailey Smith, 2020 No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (who is set to stay on a two- or four-year deal) and West Australian key defender Jedd Busslinger still unsigned beyond this season.

Caleb Daniel (2026) and Jack Macrae (2027) are both contracted, but were left out or used as the substitute at times this year, which opposition clubs have not missed.

Busslinger is one of only two first-round picks from the 2022 draft – along with Sydney’s Jacob Konstanty – yet to put pen to paper on an extension after Mattaes Phillipou’s re-commitment at St Kilda.

With Tom Barrass and particularly Jeremy McGovern advanced in age, Busslinger seems a natural target for West Coast as the young gun waits to see where he fits in the Bulldogs’ plans before making a decision.

The 20-year-old, who is averaging 19 disposals and two intercept marks in the VFL this year, has not played a senior game since being the No.13 pick. It would be remiss of the Kangaroos and Hawks to not at least ask about Busslinger as well.

English’s name would be on the whiteboard in the Eagles’ war room as well.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn missed out on McKay and Esava Ratugolea last year and are still in need of key defensive help, as are North Melbourne, while the Hawks are also interested in out-of-contract Bulldog Smith.

Cat Jack Henry – another McConville client, who is expected to remain at Kardinia Park – Saint Josh Battle, Swan Lewis Melican, Giant Nick Haynes, Lion Darragh Joyce, Tiger Ben Miller, Demon Adam Tomlinson and Blue Sam Durdin are the modest free agency options for key defenders in 2024.

Battle, managed by Alex McDonald at Hemisphere Sports Management, is the pick of that group, if you exclude Henry, but has played every game for St Kilda this season and is more likely to stay.

Crows chief executive Tim Silvers has told anyone who will listen that they plan to be hyper-aggressive in the player movement space, illustrated in their willingness for Errol Gulden to tell them the length of contract he needed to jump ship.

The sole free agent Adelaide signed since Eddie Betts 11 years ago was delisted former Lion Mitch Hinge, so they are well overdue to make a splash there, although they did lure Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine home in trades.

Sydney restricted free agent Will Hayward, from North Adelaide, looms as the obvious pivot now that Gulden stayed put for four more years, taking the All-Australian midfielder to free agency in 2028.

The question for the Crows is whether the Swan, largely a role player in red and white, is worth ponying up big money for. Sydney were displeased with their trade compensation for Dawson three years ago.

Brisbane’s restricted free agent midfielder Hugh McCluggage is also on Adelaide’s hit list as they look to upgrade their midfield stocks.

Unrestricted free agent Elliott Himmelberg is likely to join his brother Harry at the Giants, after Tom Doedee, Jake Kelly, Brad Crouch, Rory Atkins and Cam Ellis-Yolmen departed West Lakes the same way since 2019.

 

[spurs]

Can you please copy and paste GR? It has a paywall.

 

[giantroo]

Can you please copy and paste GR? It has a paywall.

Click the spoiler tag.

 

[King Corey]

What a shock Geelong could retain Jack Henry

38

Jack Henry

Age

25

Ht

192cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

142.6

2star

D

8.6

2star

K

6.7

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.1

3star

MG

142.6

3star

D

9.6

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.6

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

4star

without breaking a sweat.

Probably logged straight into the ATO in front of him and went "oops" when his 5 year tax bill cancelled out.

 

[spurs]

Click the spoiler tag.

Thanks again legend.
If we get band 1 which states it might be the case we will currently get picks 1 and 2. Bye Cam. Our list is growing with guns and will be a destination club again in 3 years.

 

[big_e]

Thanks again legend.
If we get band 1 which states it might be the case we will currently get picks 1 and 2. Bye Cam. Our list is growing with guns and will be a destination club again in 3 years.

Revolving door, more like it.

 

[justroyal]

Thanks again legend.
If we get band 1 which states it might be the case we will currently get picks 1 and 2. Bye Cam. Our list is growing with guns and will be a destination club again in 3 years.

Why can I see this guy mucking it up for us and signing a five year deal

 

[King Corey]

My vote is retain Cam.

If he chooses to go and we get Band 1 - take it to draft.

But then look to move out our R2+ over 2024-2025 for quality mature needs based players.

More Logue standard types.

 

[Sphynx]

My vote is retain Cam.

If he chooses to go and we get Band 1 - take it to draft.

But then look to move out our R2+ over 2024-2025 for quality mature needs based players.

More Logue standard types.

We deserve everything we get if we decide to keep Zurhaar vs compensation of pick 2.

If he legitimately has $800k+ per year offers from multiple clubs, that's certainly close enough to the Band 1 threshold to manipulate it to our favour.

We get Smillie + Trainor probably.

 

[big_e]

We deserve everything we get if we decide to keep Zurhaar vs compensation of pick 2.

If he legitimately has $800k+ per year offers from multiple clubs, that's certainly close enough to the Band 1 threshold to manipulate it to our favour.

We get Smillie + Trainor probably.

It just puts us in the position of a perpetual rebuild, though.

It'll be great fun for those who enjoy crapping on about draft picks, though.

 

[blackshadow]

If he legitimately has $800k+ per year offers from multiple clubs, that's certainly close enough to the Band 1 threshold to manipulate it to our favour.

Will it?

We got lucky with BM last year with an anomaly on timing of the new player collective bargain arrangements - this year the new collective bargain arrangements will be in place and player contracts will be much higher from now on.

 

[Grogg]

Revolving door, more like it.

Feeder club, AFL endorsed.

 

[spurs]

It just puts us in the position of a perpetual rebuild, though.

It'll be great fun for those who enjoy crapping on about draft picks, though.

I'd rather picks 1 and 2 for a rebuild than paying massive overs for free agent who is average and just a money grab. We have no choice but to be patient.

 

[blackshadow]

I'd rather picks 1 and 2 for a rebuild than paying massive overs for free agent who is average and just a money grab. We have no choice but to be patient.

If by some quirk of fate we end up with band 1 compo I think we need to trade out the pick for a talented established player such as Sam Taylor. We need that so much more than another top 3 pick.

 

[The Law]

It just puts us in the position of a perpetual rebuild, though.

It'll be great fun for those who enjoy crapping on about draft picks, though.

This wouldn't feel like a rebuilding moment because Zurhaar isn't offering much on or off the field. If anything he's a negative at the moment because his flirting impacts our culture.

It's the young players that are setting the standards. Fair enough if we were talking about Larkey but we aren't.

If it's pick 2 you're laughing while you drive him to the airport.

 

[Troy Make Peace]

If by some quirk of fate we end up with band 1 compo I think we need to trade out the pick for a talented established player such as Sam Taylor. We need that so much more than another top 3 pick.

Can only dream! but in what world would a premiership contender trade out arguably their most important player for a draft pick.

 

[King Corey]

We deserve everything we get if we decide to keep Zurhaar vs compensation of pick 2.

If he legitimately has $800k+ per year offers from multiple clubs, that's certainly close enough to the Band 1 threshold to manipulate it to our favour.

We get Smillie + Trainor probably.

My point is we'd have 7 x "native" R1s across 3 years in that arrangement - 2023-2025. That's a solid influx of top talent.

But we'll be threadbare in some positions and for players in certain experience categories. Therefore in R2+ should be up for trade to resolve these gaps should Cam leave for Band 1.

 

[spurs]

If by some quirk of fate we end up with band 1 compo I think we need to trade out the pick for a talented established player such as Sam Taylor. We need that so much more than another top 3 pick.

Mate, as much as I would love Taylor to come to us or any other gun player that we desperately need they won't leave the club they have because everyone knows it will take 3-4 years to get us out of this shite. He will only come for the $$$$ and I'd rather load up now on picks before Tassie come in and take everything. We will target FA in a few years when they see we are going places than now.

 

[RossHenshaw]

Thanks again legend.
If we get band 1 which states it might be the case we will currently get picks 1 and 2. Bye Cam. Our list is growing with guns and will be a destination club again in 3 years.

Dont forget the priorty picks we are bound to ask & get too... Need to stack up on these before Tassie team comes in

 

[Twangler]

We deserve everything we get if we decide to keep Zurhaar vs compensation of pick 2.

If he legitimately has $800k+ per year offers from multiple clubs, that's certainly close enough to the Band 1 threshold to manipulate it to our favour.

We get Smillie + Trainor probably.

I vote this option

 

[big_e]

I'd rather picks 1 and 2 for a rebuild than paying massive overs for free agent who is average and just a money grab. We have no choice but to be patient.

How patient, though? We've been in this hole since 2017, and in what year do you realistically think we'll be playing finals again? 2026? 2027?

At some point we have to stop looking at what we might be able to do at some unspecified point in the future and start actually achieving something.

This is not particularly about Cameron Zurhaar, it's more about the strategy involved. The one comment that comes up most often is the need to have experienced players to shield the young players as they develop. The next most common comment is that we should be turning out experience players because we might get a decent draft pick in return. Do we not see how illogical this is?

Zurhaar is far from perfect, but the last thing we need right now is for experienced players to walk out the door. If it means we pay him a couple of hundred grand more than he's worth each year, so be it.

 

[big_e]

This wouldn't feel like a rebuilding moment because Zurhaar isn't offering much on or off the field. If anything he's a negative at the moment because his flirting impacts our culture.

It's the young players that are setting the standards. Fair enough if we were talking about Larkey but we aren't.

If it's pick 2 you're laughing while you drive him to the airport.

OK, assume Zurhaar goes. What does our forward line look like next year?

 

[Twangler]

OK, assume Zurhaar goes. What does our forward line look like next year?

Larkey as key tall and Duursma to play as a quasi key tall.
Ford, Curtis and George/Stephenson as medium/general forwards. Then midfielder rotating such as Sheezel. So overall, not great but not terrible.

Ideally we’d need to trade in a KPF unless Sellers or Maley markedly improve. Then it looks much better - 2 KPFs. Duusma, Curtis and Ford as medium/general forwards. Then Sheezel/rotating midfielder.