Contract extensions for untested players?

[Steven Jones]

What do you think of FFC decision to sign Hinkley and Plamer on three year deals instead of the usual two?

The club clearly has big raps on both players by doing this, but then again you would like to think they have a high opinion of the value of every kid that they draft.

This amounts to a huge vote of confidence in both young players by the club.

I am just concerned that it will send the wrong message. Sure it "locks them in" for an extra year, but we cant get around the fact that these kids are completely untested at AFL level.

Alot of kids who go top 20 in the draft are overtaken by late picks in terms of development within their AFL clubs. I think this is because the late pick has more hunger and desperation at training. In contrast, the kid taken with the early pick may start to think that things will always come easy to them.

My fear is that by signing Palmer and Hinkley up to the club, FFC is sending a message to both kids that FFC needs them more than they need FFC.

What do you think?

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=212

"It was a big day for first and secondround draft selections Rhys Palmer and Victorian Clayton Hinkley, both 18, with the announcement they had signed for the club until the end of 2010.

They accepted the option of signing for an additional year on top of the standard two-year deals for draftees."

 

[Lach72]

Don't really have an issue with it, as they must feel they are developing players, but who knows when there's another Collard around the corner?

But they did it for Warnock, I think (?), and that's gone ok so far...

 

[FootyEater]

great move by the club. palmer will end up being in our top 2 players. and from all accounts hinkley has a massive future. no dramas at all signing them up for longer than usual

 

[dominguez]

In a way they have earnt it.They were drafted a month ago, the match committee have obviously been impressed with their commitment on the track.

 

[The Night Shift]

I trust Harves & Co.
If they think it's warranted and that these young guys are keepers, I have no issues with that at all.
They have earn't something because the football department offered them extensions. I certainly am willing to back in Harvey and Bond with the knowledge and experience they bridge to our club.
If they think we got some real talent then thats really good for us.
This is after all, the future of the team.

 

[pistol17]

I have absolutely no problem at all signing these 2 young guys. Especially Palmer who i think will be a quality player.

 

[poshman]

Think it is great, especially with hinkley being victorian, he stays for the three, well and truly settled in and if so it is harder to leave.

cant wait to se palmer though.

 

[pinkus maximus]

i dont think it was neccessary personally. 3 years is a long time for 2 guys who have never played an AFL match. obviously the club believe these two are long term players so ill back their decision

 

[sabre_ac]

Can't see the point in it..

Why not see how they go in the big league first? What is the difference between signing now and middle or end of this season?

Didn't we put Dunn and Polak on extended contracts?

 

[FootyEater]

Can't see the point in it..

Why not see how they go in the big league first? What is the difference between signing now and middle or end of this season?

Didn't we put Dunn and Polak on extended contracts?

dunn is a jet and he will be proven to be so by the end of his footy career, polak had a great couple of years as well. palmer will prove to be the best freo player ever except pavlich and hinkley has all the potential in the world.

what is the problem!!!!

 

[Bradesmaen]

Yes but 1 year isn't much, considering even if they have barely played and proved themselves in two years, they will more than likely get another year on top of that. Every club does it.

 

[Cheetah]

Must be rated highly!

They get security to develop and we probably get a better $ deal.