List Mgmt. Fyfe - Signed until 2023!!

[walken79]

Can't help but feel our new facilities & the move into the newest (& prob best) stadium in the comp is pretty nice timing for Fyfe to consider his future options too...

 

[scon]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/5c56caef8bb273ebf21fa4f72e58a995

If you can't get behind the paywall....

NAT Fyfe’s close friend and former captain Matthew Pavlich says he would be “staggered” if the Fremantle free agent departed the club this year. But the player’s union president says players must continue to fight for free agency rights after as few as six seasons of service. Pavlich, who will this year make the move from 353-game footballer to Fox Footy commentator, remains a friend and confidante of Fyfe.

The Brownlow Medallist has huge interest in his services from clubs including St Kilda, which has salary cap room and draft picks should they need to force a trade. Fyfe’s manager Jason Dover said on Tuesday more serious discussions would start once the season got under way. He said Fyfe was not putting off talks until year’s end, with conversations between Dover and Fremantle weekly.

Pavlich said in his conversations with Fyfe it was apparent the versatile star saw the opportunity in front of him at Fremantle. “I don’t think he will (leave), knowing him personally. My view is that he will stay. He would be mad not to. He knows that and being a free agent, like I did on a few occasions in my career, you look at other options,’’ Pavlich told the Herald Sun. “I would be quite staggered if he left. I just know him quite well and as someone has had experience in playing at one club and that being Fremantle, the opportunities that has afforded me and my family were great. “I speak from experience, but also having conversations with him. So it’s an exciting time for him given the opportunities he can have.”

Fyfe’s manager Dover said all parties were content with where the contract was at. “We have said we would get through the summer and evaluate when the games are being played again,’’ he said. “We haven’t put it on hold until the end of the year. We are open, I talk to Fremantle every week. “We haven’t started negotiations and we haven’t stopped. There is no definitive timeline. He is contracted for 2017 so there is no great urgency.”

Under the current free agency provisions, a player becomes a free agent after eight seasons and an unrestricted free agent the first time they are out of contract after 10 seasons. But the AFLPA’s stance is players should be free agents at six years and unrestricted free agents at eight years. Pavlich says it is worth fighting for because the early seasons of free agency have not shown a trend towards players flooding to top-four teams. “The players believe it should be (earlier). There is evidence now to suggest what everyone thought at the beginning — the best players would go to the best clubs — isn’t the case,’’ he said. “There is no real pattern. They go to clubs down the bottom, in the middle and at the top of the ladder. “If you think about the players who didn’t get enough opportunity or aren’t getting the pay levels they would like to, eight years with one employer is a long time to be locked in. So why should it be different to players?”

Please read and reflect before posting.

Thanks Mr Peabody .

 

[Big Animal]

(after reflection) I just hope the AFL are careful in how much freedom they provide for player-driven movement. As someone for whom bball was their sport growing up, I lost interest in terms of supporting the Wildcats and the NBL with the increase in constant movement of key and star players from year to year (as opposed to the early days of Cal Bruton, James Crawford and the like that formed the basis of the successful Wildcats team for years). I found it hard to connect to a team that was successful one year, and the next, the star player(s) I was cheering for were suddenly playing against us. Sure, the Perth Arena is basically full most weeks of the season, but they need far less bums on seats than the AFL and the costs to spectators are considerably lower. They also have far less interest from TV viewers which brings in the big bucks for AFL.

So my thought is that the AFLPA needs to be careful it doesn't kill the golden goose in the process of seeking out what they want. That's all I'm saying, because if young stars like Fyfe, Walters, and Neale are there one year but gone the next just when they are starting to peak, and it's not just one player leaving but a handful (and occurring in most or all of the teams annually, not just one or two rebuilding, like in some US sports), then support for AFL may similarly wane and the TV rights deals might not look so impressive in future (and yes we are different to the US as our population and therefore potential spectator market is more than 10 times less).

I also wonder if this is why Freo's admin and RTB have obviously focused on a recent policy of "bringing the WA boys home" and a local top 10 pick? i.e. are they already seeing where the comp is going and know the best way to combat it is to load up with players with less incentive to leave?

 

[Silent Alarm]

Loading up on West Aussies was always the most obvious way to keep players and to even get trades or free agents. You're not going to get people from Victoria to move over here unless the salary is ludicrous, it just doesn't have a big pull for them. The Eagles and Crows – especially Adelaide – were right into that and still are. I don't get why Freo had such a massive thing for picking Victorians for so long. Especially when they were... you know... ****ing shit.

 

[Tom_Thumb]

Fyfe to West Coast for Naitanui ? could work. Nick Nat unites with Son Son, Sandi's replacement is found and we get that X Factor Mid we have been chasing for 10 years now.

 

[JohnW]

Because it would turn into a coaching contract?

Is there a cap on football spending? Do coaches fall into this?

Or if he has earned around 10m from footy already. Is injured and sponsorships have netted him another 4-5m plus cars and other benefits.

Add to that a future in media or coaching plus the other opportunities that would no doubt come his way and walking away from 1.5m won't be as hard to fathom as some think.

A 10 year deal comes with obvious risk, clearly Fyfe is worth it. You wouldn't be downgrading the level of risk assuming he would forgo some of his contracted income. He is simply worth that level of risk.

He could have his future media, coaching, plus other opportunities plus his 1.5mil. It's much easier to discuss walking away from guaranteed money until it's your guaranteed money. But I guess it is a possibility.

 

[JohnW]

(after reflection) I just hope the AFL are careful in how much freedom they provide for player-driven movement. As someone for whom bball was their sport growing up, I lost interest in terms of supporting the Wildcats and the NBL with the increase in constant movement of key and star players from year to year (as opposed to the early days of Cal Bruton, James Crawford and the like that formed the basis of the successful Wildcats team for years). I found it hard to connect to a team that was successful one year, and the next, the star player(s) I was cheering for were suddenly playing against us. Sure, the Perth Arena is basically full most weeks of the season, but they need far less bums on seats than the AFL and the costs to spectators are considerably lower. They also have far less interest from TV viewers which brings in the big bucks for AFL.

So my thought is that the AFLPA needs to be careful it doesn't kill the golden goose in the process of seeking out what they want. That's all I'm saying, because if young stars like Fyfe, Walters, and Neale are there one year but gone the next just when they are starting to peak, and it's not just one player leaving but a handful (and occurring in most or all of the teams annually, not just one or two rebuilding, like in some US sports), then support for AFL may similarly wane and the TV rights deals might not look so impressive in future (and yes we are different to the US as our population and therefore potential spectator market is more than 10 times less).

I also wonder if this is why Freo's admin and RTB have obviously focused on a recent policy of "bringing the WA boys home" and a local top 10 pick? i.e. are they already seeing where the comp is going and know the best way to combat it is to load up with players with less incentive to leave?

The wildcats wouldn't of had those superstars if it wasn't for player movement?

I think the AFL need to become more like the NBA. If the players want freedom to move clubs then the clubs must have freedom to trade players that are in contract with out their consent. Right now the players can hold the club hostage, giving no consent to a trade, and just waiting until free agency. It should be more like the NBA where teams offer extensions to players a year or two before their contract expires, if they don't want to sign long term the club can start looking at what is best for them.

The system at the moment is great if you are getting the player but shocking if you are the team they are leaving.

Never should a club be put in the position where they stand there helpless after it was their resources, coaches, hard work and effort that helped the player reach their potential (and in this case be the best player in the comp).

Sorry for the rant, but the power has swung too far in the players direction I feel.

 

[Okinakashi]

I think the AFL need to become more like the NBA. If the players want freedom to move clubs then the clubs must have freedom to trade players that are in contract with out their consent. Right now the players can hold the club hostage, giving no consent to a trade, and just waiting until free agency

Aw cr@p. I actually agree with an eagles fan on something football related.

Anyone heard today's weather report for hell?

 

[freoextra]

Fyfe to West Coast for Naitanui ? could work. Nick Nat unites with Son Son, Sandi's replacement is found and we get that X Factor Mid we have been chasing for 10 years now.

Nick Nat would be a wonderful acquisition for any club (especially marketing) but I genuinely think both players would find the idea distasteful. The recent Ballas look at WC is a more likely scenario when a player can't get the length of contract or payment they are looking for. Nick Nat and Fyfey are the two best paid players in WA and really have no reason to move between WA clubs.

 

[Big Animal]

The wildcats wouldn't of had those superstars if it wasn't for player movement?

In the 90s and early 2000s when I followed the Wildcats (the stars and big names):
- James Crawford - 13 seasons
- Tiny Pinder - 6 seasons (plus a couple on the inside)
- Scott Fischer - 10 seasons
- Ricky Grace - 16 seasons
and local guys including
- Andrew Vlahov - 12 seasons


More recently:
- Casey Prathers - 1 season (+ a cup)
- Nate Jawai - 1 season (+ a cup)
Tucker (2), Wheeler (2), Lisch (4)

i.e. (again and simplified) Player movement = beneficial. Star/key players moving every year or two = not the best outcome for business

 

[Tom_Thumb]

Nick Nat would be a wonderful acquisition for any club (especially marketing) but I genuinely think both players would find the idea distasteful. The recent Ballas look at WC is a more likely scenario when a player can't get the length of contract or payment they are looking for. Nick Nat and Fyfey are the two best paid players in WA and really have no reason to move between WA clubs.

We need to break this impasse, we should be helping each other because we both have the travel problem as a major factor that no other clubs have to deal with. Couple this with the fact we refuse to deal with each other adds another barrier to winning a flag.

 

[Taylor]

Is there a cap on football spending? Do coaches fall into this?

There is a cap on football department spending.

I fully expect the AFL to tie the salary to the salary cap of any club who contracts a player for more than 6 years.

 

[wayToGo_]

In the 90s and early 2000s when I followed the Wildcats (the stars and big names):
- James Crawford - 13 seasons
- Tiny Pinder - 6 seasons (plus a couple on the inside)
- Scott Fischer - 10 seasons
- Ricky Grace - 16 seasons
and local guys including
- Andrew Vlahov - 12 seasons


More recently:
- Casey Prathers - 1 season (+ a cup)
- Nate Jawai - 1 season (+ a cup)
Tucker (2), Wheeler (2), Lisch (4)

i.e. (again and simplified) Player movement = beneficial. Star/key players moving every year or two = not the best outcome for business

Needs more Mike Ellis and Eric Watterson

 

[freoextra]

Needs more Mike Ellis and Eric Watterson

Bloody Watterson (said like Newman from Seinfield series) used to drive me mad with the amount of times he would get stripped of the ball or pass poorly (could shoot a 3 though something the current group desperately needs).

 

[Reverse Torp]

Fyfe to West Coast for Naitanui ? could work. Nick Nat unites with Son Son, Sandi's replacement is found and we get that X Factor Mid we have been chasing for 10 years now.

Ummmmmmmmmmm. No.

Nic Nat might be worth his contract based on his value to the marketing department, but as a footballer Nat Fyfe probably had more footy nous when he was 12 than Nic Nat will ever have.

Watch where Nic Nat runs in broken play and you'll know what I mean. The late Ken Judge described his playing style as see ball, chase ball, get ball. He's great around the contest when he can get there, but he has no idea about how to gain uncontested possessions. He doesn't know where to position himself defensively and he averages just under 2 marks a game - Sandi averages over 3.5.

His highlight reel is awesome but his overall impact is overstated.

 

[wayToGo_]

Bloody Watterson (said like Newman from Seinfield series) used to drive me mad with the amount of times he would get stripped of the ball or pass poorly (could shoot a 3 though something the current group desperately needs).

He and Craig Fitzsimmons are two of the nicest Wildcats players ever so they get a big tick from me from despite some flaws that they had.

 

[freoextra]

He and Craig Fitzsimmons are two of the nicest Wildcats players ever so they get a big tick from me from despite some flaws that they had.

Yep, never knew him personally but in general the Wildcats have had outstanding people representing their club (with one "Tiny" and note-able exclusion).

 

[Dirty_banchez]

You have to remember in the NBA they have Max Contracts which prevents smaller teams from losing their gun players.

 

[wayToGo_]

Yep, never knew him personally but in general the Wildcats have had outstanding people representing their club (with one "Tiny" and note-able exclusion).

Yeah I agree. I was coached by quite a lot of them growing up and I agree with this. Alan Black was also an amazing coach - was pretty blunt and would make you work your butt off but would also support you fully as a player. Some similarities to RTB perhaps? And I find good culture often breeds good culture. It's another reason why I think Fyfe will definitely stay, having had Pav to look up to for his career to date and having a strong coach like Ross. I think many are misinterpreting Fyfe's personal drive for himself to be the best he can be as selfishness and I think it's actually the complete opposite of that. He said he would die for Freo football club not that long ago and I think that is exactly the type of personality we need leading our club in the not-to-distant future. Pav really is the ideal role-model for any young footballer - completely underrated by the East coast media.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Ummmmmmmmmmm. No.

Nic Nat might be worth his contract based on his value to the marketing department, but as a footballer Nat Fyfe probably had more footy nous when he was 12 than Nic Nat will ever have.

Watch where Nic Nat runs in broken play and you'll know what I mean. The late Ken Judge described his playing style as see ball, chase ball, get ball. He's great around the contest when he can get there, but he has no idea about how to gain uncontested possessions. He doesn't know where to position himself defensively and he averages just under 2 marks a game - Sandi averages over 3.5.

His highlight reel is awesome but his overall impact is overstated.

He's not a footballer's arseh*le. Ridiculously shit.

Happy that sort of love-in for athletes is coming to the end.

 

[JohnW]

There is a cap on football department spending.

I fully expect the AFL to tie the salary to the salary cap of any club who contracts a player for more than 6 years.

I'm assuming coaches fall into this?

So the coaching part is moot I guess, if they do.

 

[JohnW]

JC cam here after playing 3 years in geelong, and one year in Canberra.
Tiny Pinder - Came after playing with Sydney
Scott Fisher - North Melbourne Giants
Ricky and Vlahov - the only guys who played with the cats from dot.

So the stars the cats had actually moved to the team after short stints elsewhere.

The cats team at present has some really long serving players (redhage, wagstaff, Marto) I agree it stinks when good players leave your team, but there is a flip side.

The early wildcats teams seemed to make a habit of getting other teams stars. I think we owe alot of thanks to Mr. Stokes for sorting that out.

 

[JohnW]

You have to remember in the NBA they have Max Contracts which prevents smaller teams from losing their gun players.

Great point, no reason why their system couldn't be copied.

If a player want's to leave make them leave something on the table, or make the other team pay full tote odds.

 

[youmewe]

There is a cap on football department spending.

I fully expect the AFL to tie the salary to the salary cap of any club who contracts a player for more than 6 years.

There is a 'soft cap' on football department spending. The levy for exceeding the allowable limit is itself capped at $1m.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...x/news-story/bf6b164454515f527ef9f2a12cca3374

The surcharge of 37.5 cents in the dollar for football department spending (not including player payments and other fees and subsidies) over the threshold of $9.3m for 2015 was increased to 75 cents this year (2016).

Collingwood, West Coast and Hawthorn have been slugged the maximum $1 million over the two-year period, followed by Fremantle ($720,000), Geelong ($690,000), Essendon (620,000), Carlton ($580,000), Richmond ($470,000), Sydney ($330,000) and Adelaide ($310,000).

The Western Bulldogs received the most of the disadvantaged clubs that shared the pool of $6.72m. Other clubs taking from the so-called rich are St Kilda, North Melbourne, Brisbane, Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

 

[Wally Walpamur]

Fyfe to West Coast for Naitanui ? could work. Nick Nat unites with Son Son, Sandi's replacement is found and we get that X Factor Mid we have been chasing for 10 years now.

Jog on, mate.