Best post on the subject so farCollingwood have already learnt hard lessons with Reid’s 5 year contract or Clokes 5 years. Held over the barrel. Both stars at the time, played hardball, before their absolute decline limiting our ability to recruit a Hawthorn style group of players, who wanted to win a flag before their own material gains. He might be an awesome player but i’ll be pi**ed if we did anything longer than 3 years. Dale Thomas another great example of a stupid 5 year deal, albeit for Carlton not us. Lance Franklin, he’ll be a Daniel Wells on a million dollars for the last 3 years of his contract. The club is bigger than any single player and Geelong is a great example of losing arguably the best player of all time but still winning a flag. I might be unpopular but I’d much prefer 2 first round picks and a roughhead style recruit for nothing, than to risk a huge contract on future output that is never guaranteed. You’re only as good as your last season, so Collingwood should be well aware of the negative consequences that can result from long term contracts.