A lot of concern about getting players for cheap and obviously keeping the cap room for existing players is priority but I really think we should be more concerned about getting the right players and if it costs a little to get them over here and we can front load it then łets do it.
I think the main thing is not if we are paying more than other clubs are willing to but if we are paying what they are worth to us.
Other teams might have similar players so a Betts might only offer them a small percentage gain, we get him and he is probably replacing 2 players who are doing that role part time. Which makes him worth more to us than them.
That goes for everyone we look to bring in this year, I don't see our list being in the stage where we should go after anyone we can, the list is good, it's just a few positions we can greatly improve with genuine talent.
Oh and let's definently not go after 30 year olds who may or may not be able to squeeze one or two more years out, that's for clubs who finish the year top 3 or 4 and look like doing it again but have a weakness, not clubs on their way.
THIS is what people need to remember.
Just ask yourself, how often do you find yourself in a situation where you have no high draft picks at all and needing to a recruit a small forward/outside midfielder, and then players like Betts and Polec come knocking at your door. The opportunity is there for us to grab some serious talent, and we have the money so why not. Obviously with Polec there is a lot more risk involved, but he fits our clubs desire to an absolute T.
In saying that though i wouldnt be moving heaven and earth to get a player like Polec. Id definitely go toe to toe with Carlton/North/Pies for Betts though.
Id still be pushing very hard to bring in a player like Polec and give him a significantly better offer than what port are offering. Yes hes a risk, but he is also young and has his whole career ahead of him still. The rest of our list is also very young and it would be great to have him develop with the rest of them all at once. If we can grab Polec in the PSD even if he doesnt turn out like we hoped and does fail to make it, it wouldnt be a huge loss. Its money that we would have had to spend anyway most likely. Trading him for a high draft pick is a different scenario, but offering him quite a substantial pay packet despite him showing little isnt too big of a deal right now for crows with the money we have available.
Like i said, draft picks are something that youd want to get right, where as the money is a thing we'd have to spend anyways and given the crows situation and serious need for outside midfielders, a player like polec is someone im willing to take a risk on.
Ohh and that last bit, cant believe some of the things people are suggesting on here. We have a very young and up and coming list, with no high draft picks. 30 year old has beens is exactly NOT who you want to be taking on. As a coach, maybe. As a player, NO.