Bulldog fury over West bid
By Stephen Rielly
October 9, 2004
The final day of player trading wound up to its usual frenetic close yesterday but a deal that was not consummated overshadowed those that were.
While Brad Ottens found his way to Geelong in a simplified three-club deal, Essendon, always a source of suspicion, emerged only hours before the 2pm trade deadline with a play for Western Bulldog champion Scott West.
The approach and the less-than-generous offer from the Dons of a second-round draft pick and Darren Walsh, a 19-year-old two-gamer, has embittered the relationship between the neighbours from the north and west.
West is contracted for two more years, for as much as $450,000 a season, and Essendon's deal also involved the decorated centreman accepting a pay cut, the Dons paying $250,000 and the Dogs accepting responsibility for the balance, as much as $150,000.
Essentially, Essendon's plan was for the Dogs to continue to pay a six-figure sum for a club great they would trade away for an unproven talent and a mediocre draft pick.
The audacity of the pitch angered the Dogs, who not only interpreted the offer as an insult but a betrayal of West, who had been encouraged by Essendon to believe that a trade could be achieved.
Only a week ago, new Bulldog coach Rodney Eade met West to assure the 29-year-old six-time club champion that he was a required player.
On Thursday night, after hearing renewed whispers of Essendon's intentions, Eade again spoke with West, who is holidaying with his family at Noosa Heads.
It is believed that West confirmed that he had received an approach from the Dons, several of whom he is close friends with. Recently retired Essendon centreman Joe Misiti is a friend from childhood and Essendon assistant coaches Mark Harvey and Dean Wallis live in the same Essendon street.
Angered by what happened yesterday morning, Eade also rang Kevin Sheedy to confront the Essendon coach over the handling of the approach.
"For them to come to us; a) we were shocked by it and, b) it was an absolute insult," Eade said last night.
"It showed a lack of respect for Scott West to approach him and then offer a token gesture to get the deal done. They were just playing with him and showing no regard for us as a club.
"I spoke with Scott again today and he assured me that he never initiated anything."