I expect a player being paid more than $500k to have a real influence in finals
He did, according to the coaches - evidence which you apparently reject. He actually had a better Finals series than Walker, according to the B&F votes, not to mention board luvvies Seedsman & Atkins.
He didn't poll any votes in the Grand Final. Guess what? He's not alone there. Only Jacobs & M Crouch can truly hold their heads high, having picked up 10+ B&F votes for that game. No votes were awarded to Betts, Talia, Knight, Jenkins, Walker, Atkins, Seedsman, Greenwood, and Otten. I don't see the same level of vitriol being directed at Walker...
Our best finals players were Brouch (37 votes), Mrouch (36), Laird (35), Jacobs (33), Douglas (32), Lynch (30), Cameron (29), and Betts (27). 18 of Cameron's 29 votes came from one (outstanding) game, the other players all polled 10+ in at least 2 finals.
Looking at other players, and how they fared in the B&F voting:
- Lynch was our 6th best player in the finals (according to the B&F votes). This is of interest due to the recent discussions on this board regarding his contract negotiations.
- Mackay (23) was our equal 10th best finals performer, and polled votes in all 3 finals (including 2x 10+ games), facts which are inconvenient for his many haters on this board.