Jonathan Brown - Veteran

[kylegee28]

Will Jonathan Brown qualify as a veteran for the 2012 AFL season?

"In order to be eligible for classification as a Veteran a player must have been the age of 30 as at September 30 in the relevant AFL season and be on the primary list of the AFL club for at least 10 years or in the case of Port Adelaide since the inception of the club."

He turns 30 on October 29, and has played for more than 10 seasons with the Lions.

I am surprised that I have not heard anything about this on BF, and If he is eligible, Would that free up enough of the Salary Cap to allow Clark to stay?

 

[Bucking Beads]

I am surprised that I have not heard anything about this on BF, and If he is eligible, Would that free up enough of the Salary Cap to allow Clark to stay?

I am not sure about the Browny being eligible for veteran status but what I will say is the club will have offered Clark what they think he is worth and if he isn't happy with that bye bye.

 

[whatboutbob]

Yes, Browny officially becomes a veteran next year.

The Club would have been planning for it for years.

I wouldn't be surprised if his current contract was heavily back-ended and thus the "freed up" cash largely already spent.

 

[JasRulz63]

Link for where the first quote in first post is taken from
http://www.afl.com.au/development/aflexplained/about/tabid/13532/default.aspx#veteran

He missed out on veteran status this year by a month it looks like.

EDIT: I thought they changed the rules a few years ago, now it's the average wage per year of the contract that is taken into account, to avoid team's back-ending contracts. (in response to bob above)

 

[Hollow Knight]

EDIT: I thought they changed the rules a few years ago, now it's the average wage per year of the contract that is taken into account, to avoid team's back-ending contracts. (in response to bob above)

Correct. This is the case.

It does however seem ripe for abuse. What would stop the Lions and Brown mutually agreeing to tear up his current contract and sign a new 2 year deal for the next two years?

 

[JasRulz63]

Nothing I assume, but I don't see the benefit behind doing that (I'm probably missing something glaringly obvious, being me). The only benefit would be from them paying him more than his new contract would say, which I'd assume is not allowed.

 

[whatboutbob]

That's right. Had completely forgotten about that change. Thanks Jas.

 

[Quigley]

Gentleman's agreement. Browny if you play for a bit less than market now we will make it up to you in your next contract when you are a vet and it only counts as half under the cap.

From my understanding though Brown has been on a truckload for quite a few years now so I doubt the Lions have been doing anything too tricky.

 

[dlanod]

Correct. This is the case.

It does however seem ripe for abuse. What would stop the Lions and Brown mutually agreeing to tear up his current contract and sign a new 2 year deal for the next two years?

How does that work with Sherman taking a pay cut in one year in promise for a pay increase the following year when Fev came on board? IIRC the figures quoted in the press at the time resulted in the same average.

 

[Hornberger]

It does however seem ripe for abuse. What would stop the Lions and Brown mutually agreeing to tear up his current contract and sign a new 2 year deal for the next two years?

This would involve the player signing the first contract for less than their worth on the agreement that they will receive a second contract in which they will be paid over the odds. The agreement can't be in writing and is not enforceable. What happens if the player has a career ending injury or their forms drops off to the point where the can't get a senior game. The player would be taking a big risk.