Bye Bye Jimmy

[tayls]

Bye Bye (HELLO) Jimmy

Here is the story from the Addy this morning.
STAND-OFF

NO MORE: Geelong CEO Brian Cook

Wednesday, September 28
SARAH BIESKE

GEELONG has made its final offer to out-of-contract star Jimmy Bartel.

Cats chief executive Brian Cook said the midfielder's future at Geelong was now out of the club's hands and the 21-year-old was no certainty to re-sign.

But Cook remained hopeful Bartel would accept the new terms, ideally before tomorrow night's Carji Greeves Medal count.

``We'd hope so but there's certainly no guarantees,'' he said.

``We've been in negotiations for quite some time now . . . the ball's not in our court any more, the offer's been made.''

Contract negotiations between Geelong and Bartel's manager Paul Connors began mid-year but broke down after the club's initial offer was knocked back.

Cook could not reveal what the sticking point in negotiations was, but it is believed Bartel has been holding out for another $20,000.

Geelong is already expected to use 100 per cent of its salary cap for the coming season, which will increase by $200,000 to $6.5 million in 2006.

The gutsy onballer is the only uncontracted player on Geelong's list after forward Steve Johnson agreed to a new deal last week.

Several Melbourne clubs including Collingwood, Carlton and the Kangaroos have shown interest in Bartel, who was the Cats' third highest vote-getter at last week's Brownlow Medal.

He is also expected to poll well in the club best and fairest, having ranked in the Cats' top five for marks, kicks, goals and disposals this year.

The former Geelong Falcon made his debut for the Cats in 2002 and did not miss a game this season.

MEANWHILE veteran Cat Peter Riccardi has indicated to the club he wants to play on next year.

Coach Mark Thompson said earlier in the year he was happy for Riccardi, who turns 33 in December, to have one more season in the blue and white hoops.

Riccardi was used largely as an impact player off the bench this season, often providing much-needed spark when he came on.

Next season would be Riccardi's 15th with the club after debuting in 1992.

He played 22 games for the Cats this season, taking his tally to 282.

IMO if it is only 20k difference he would have signed. He knows it is Geelongs final offer i reckon he is seeing what he can get at other clubs. It appears to be all about money.

I really hope he stays but to me it looks as if he wont or he would have signed already.

Looks as if it is time to get the best deal we can for him.

I hope i am wrong though.(Hello)

 

[Unwritten_Law]

IMO if it is only 20k difference he would have signed. He knows it is Geelongs final offer i reckon he is seeing what he can get at other clubs. It appears to be all about money.

Yep. 20k is pretty insignificant when you are earning 250k plus, heck you would lose half of it in tax.

About time the club took a stand.

 

[tayls]

About time the club took a stand.

It seems they have taken a stand. Good on them, Brian Cook is a smart man. I trust him to do the right thing.

 

[fpm84]

App. Billy Brownless was on SEN this morning indicating that Jimmy's contract re-signing would be officially announced tomorrow night at the B&F.

This whole thing is making my head hurt.

 

[Strong hands Magee]

After all his stuffing around, THE JIM better have a blinder of a 2006. Putting us all through hell he is......

 

[fpm84]

Although I'm still extremely optimistic a Cats contract will be finalised this week, I'm incredibly unhappy about the way this is unfolding.

It's obviously affecting the club, the supporters and - you would assume - his fellow Cats players, Geelong-based girlfriend and family etc.

Make your mind up, Jimmy! A Geelong premiership beckons.

 

[fpm84]

And if it's all about $20K, get a high-profile Cats supporter to dish it out so the club's not paying any extra.

Darryl Somers must be raking it in on Dancing With the Stars, right?

 

[kriso182]

Jimmi will sign, was going to all along. Just has a smart manager that has pushed his wage to just over 300K.

 

[Turbocat]

And if it's all about $20K, get a high-profile Cats supporter to dish it out so the club's not paying any extra.

Darryl Somers must be raking it in on Dancing With the Stars, right?

Its not as simple as that. Do you want to end up like Carlton!!.
I know we would all love for Jimmy to sign, I certainly would but there is no need for the antaganism. I understand him wanting to maximize his pay, lets face it the system that is AFL is a tough, ruthlesss and can chew you up, spit you out at the drop of a hat. Ask Snell how quick it can all change.One bad injury and his future could be gone.
What we must do is draw the line , explain to him why we drawn the line and after that if the worst comes to worst maximize our list while he go's else where to maximze his pay.

Now considering it nominally about 20G, I would have to say to be very carefull about throwing the baby out with the bath water. Do we all remember Greg Williams?Do we remember why he left? He got what the GFC considered was an unrealitic offer and we wouldnt even go half way to matching . He moved on and guess who was BOG in a GF against us.

In the end I'll trust Cook to make the right choice, he has seen it before and he should know what we can afford even if its short of what JB can get else where.

 

[ANT JESS]

App. Billy Brownless was on SEN this morning indicating that Jimmy's contract re-signing would be officially announced tomorrow night at the B&F.

This whole thing is making my head hurt.

If this was to be true, which I really hope it is. How do you reakon the other GFC players would feel about this? Why does Jimmy get this special treatment? All/Most other players singed months ago, but Jimmy was held out and demanded more kanga, now they are going to make a big announcement on B&F promoting Jimmy finally re-signing. Not sure how I would feel if I was another high profile GFC player. Just a thought.

 

[tayls]

I know Billy is on the inside but of course he is going to pump him up to resign, as much as i want to believe Bustling i am not so sure.

 

[fpm84]

I don't know how I feel about any of it.

I hope that loyalty, the desire for Geelong success, and Jimmy's mates ultimately make him want to stay.

Is that an old-fashioned attitude?

 

[worthogs]

I don't know how I feel about any of it.

I hope that loyalty, the desire for Geelong success, and Jimmy's mates ultimately make him want to stay.

Is that an old-fashioned attitude?

Yep thats an old fashioned attitude.

No loyalty left in footy, its a business. The clubs have no loyalty (not a lot) and players want everything, If he goes he goes, just get something for him.

 

[fpm84]

No loyalty left in footy, its a business. The clubs have no loyalty (not a lot) and players want everything, If he goes he goes, just get something for him.

See, I don't know about that - I think Jimmy's situation isn't that common.

I remember Chris Grant getting a massive offer to join Port when they first started - obviously a lot more than the Dogs could afford. I read an article saying that a kid had sent 20c in an envelope to him at Footscray saying "this is to help Chris stay" and he was so touched by it he realised he couldn't leave. And he hasn't.

Similarly, Luke Ball rejected offers from other clubs to stay with St. Kilda - for, you would assume, loyalty and a shot at a premiership.

If you believe the media, Yze and Luke Power both rejected huge offers elsewhere to stay with their clubs.

I can understand to some extent the media speculation to bump up a player's price when they re-sign, but the Bartel thing has gone on too long. That said, I am very confident he'll accept the final Cats offer for the reasons listed.

 

[Ricketts]

I actually had a dream last night that Jimmy left the club with Mark Thompson saying that we wouldn't need him anymore with Cam Mooney playing as an on-baller in 2006.

 

[VikingCat]

Maybe if we all send Jimmy 20c each with a cute note by express post he'll sign by Carji Greeves time.

 

[ANT JESS]

Maybe if we all send Jimmy 20c each with a cute note by express post he'll sign by Carji Greeves time.

he he, it's worth a shot I spose.

 

[tusk]

I'll send him a button and a ball of lint saying it's all I've got!

Hopefully pull his heart strings in the right direction

 

[fpm84]

Maybe if we all send Jimmy 20c each with a cute note by express post he'll sign by Carji Greeves time.

Hey, I'm generous - I'll put in 50c!

 

[ball]

The word I hear is that Collingwood have offered plenty and expect him to be available in the PSD, with a broke Carlton unable to meet his demands.

Though they also expected Power to be available to trade, and they are notoriously useless come trade time that anything could happen.

 

[Ricketts]

Maybe if we all send Jimmy 20c each with a cute note by express post he'll sign by Carji Greeves time.

Stuff 20c, i'll find the whole 20K for him.

 

[Bartel'sNo1Fan]

God, I hope he doesn't go!
He is my favourite player & this whole thing is changing my perception of him. How could anyone possibly want to leave Geelong? I wouldn't stop supporting the cats if someone gave me all the money in the world! (alright so i'd lie and take it but i'd secretly be a cats supporter - irrelevant!)
PLEASE let him stay
I have really high hopes for us next year and I want Jimmy to be a part of it

 

[LongBomb]

It would be gut wrenching to lose him in the PSD for nothing.

Could happen. Not sure if I'm going to deal with it that well.

 

[Silvagnis]

with a broke Carlton unable to meet his demands.

Carlton could easily accomodate his salary with Whitnall and Camporeale out of contract, and McKernan's and Beaumont's salary no longer counted in our salary cap.

I reckon he'll still sign for the Cats, but do Catsfans think he'll leave?

 

[VikingCat]

Posted on my blog (it's new, and I'm infatuated):

FOR LOVE OR MONEY?

What's football really about these days?

It'd be lovely to think it's all about the flag, the love of the game, and a deep-seeded desire to be part of a premiership team.

But it's not. Finance creeps into the best of things and replaces sentiment and loyalty with cold hard cash. Intrinsic motivation - the desire for success and team glory - is replaced by extrinsic motivation - moulah. See? I did learn something in psychology.

Jimmy Bartel is the only Geelong player not to have signed a contract for next season and beyond, and the popular belief is that he is holding out for more money.

Now, there's a certain deeply Australian part of me that simply can't believe this to be the case. Fine, he's holding out - maybe it's for a longer contract rather than a juicier one, for long-term security rather than short-term dollars.

I find it difficult - but not impossible - to believe our beloved Jimmy, our "Just Add Water" Jimmy, our magical possession getter Jimmy, could consider leaving a club on the brink of glory for a richer club that is less likely to get to a grand final during his playing life, simply for more dollars.

I don't think he's necessarily wrong to hold out for the best deal - I know I would. But as a passionate Cats fan (who'd have thunk it?) I'm desperate for him to put his name on the dotted line before the pre-season draft.

If I knew how, I'd start a website - www.stickwiththecats.com.au - and petition for signatures. I know dozens of Cats supporters who would be willing to put their hands in their pockets to chip in for the extra cash Jimmy wants, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Please, Jimmy, stick with us - we love you more than Collingwood, and you're more likely to win a flag, too.