Level the playing field

[frenchfri12]

There was an article in the Sun, it said that some Hawthorn player is taking pay cuts for flags. I tell you the only way to fix this. At the end of contracts, every club offers an amount. Player has to go to highest bidder. Instant equalisation.

 

[kane249]

Someone's been into the red cordial....

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Worst.Idea.Ever

 

[Farm Boy]

There was an article in the Sun, it said that some Hawthorn player is taking pay cuts for flags. I tell you the only way to fix this. At the end of contracts, every club offers an amount. Player has to go to highest bidder. Instant equalisation.

Can't see that getting past AFLPA.

 

[frenchfri12]

Worst.Idea.Ever

What's wrong, no Dangerfield?

 

[dogs105]

Be good if someone could take a grader to Docklands and level that playing field.

 

[frenchfri12]

Can't see that getting past AFLPA.

Can't see it getting past anything. But its just a theory. Can anyone think of any other ideas? I'm not suggesting they do this BTW.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

What's wrong, no Dangerfield?

Forcing players to leave if a higher offer comes in is what's wrong. If a group of players view a medal over an extra 50, 100, 150k then best of luck to them.

 

[Farm Boy]

On the upside, it (thread) has lasted longer than the previous. Looking for positives of course.

 

[Farm Boy]

Can't see it getting past anything. But its just a theory. Can anyone think of any other ideas? I'm not suggesting they do this BTW.

*don't... You seem a bit indecisive, is that you Gil?

 

[frenchfri12]

Forcing players to leave if a higher offer comes in is what's wrong. If a group of players view a medal over an extra 50, 100, 150k then best of luck to them.

Now if you were a Melbourne supporter what would you say about that?

 

[Blackas87]

Now if you were a Melbourne supporter what would you say about that?

I'm a Melbourne supporter and I'd say if a player wanted less money for a shot at a premiership then best of luck to them.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Now if you were a Melbourne supporter what would you say about that?

If you can't woo a player to your club there's only one way to change that. Make your club a desirable destination by winning games and showing the ability and potential to win finals and premierships.

Forcing players to leave when they don't wish to is ludicrous.

 

[frenchfri12]

I'm a Melbourne supporter and I'd say if a player wanted less money for a shot at a premiership then best of luck to them.

If you can't woo a player to your club there's only one way to change that. Make your club a desirable destination by winning games and showing the ability and potential to win finals and premierships.

Forcing players to leave when they don't wish to is ludicrous.

So if no matter how much money you offer to players, they all go and join Hawthorn, and they win then next 10 flags are are completely unbeatable, and Melbourne's still sitting in the bottom 4 each year because no players will join them, then what will you say?

 

[DrEvil_]

What are they drinking down there?

 

[avishka5]

Personally not a fan of the idea. Kudos for the hawks players cause not alot of players will take a pay cut. Would have thought after winning 3 premierships a few players would have left for a bit of extra coin.

Most players wanting to take a pay cut are the ones who bleed the club colours and it would painful for fans to see club favourites taken from them because of this stupid rule.

 

[Xenthor]

So if no matter how much money you offer to players, they all go and join Hawthorn, and they win then next 10 flags are are completely unbeatable, and Melbourne's still sitting in the bottom 4 each year because no players will join them, then what will you say?

We ****** up.

 

[avishka5]

Fremantle would love this, would have got some big players because of it.

 

[frenchfri12]

We ****** up.

And "lets implement frenchfri's suggestion!"

 

[Roo Beauty]

Wait. So you're saying players staying at their own club for less money is a bad thing?

It's a bloody good thing for the game I say.

 

[Blackas87]

So if no matter how much money you offer to players, they all go and join Hawthorn, and they win then next 10 flags are are completely unbeatable, and Melbourne's still sitting in the bottom 4 each year because no players will join them, then what will you say?

You are suggesting that every player will choose Hawthorn which is not the case. Melbourne has jumped out of the bottom 4 and with continual improvement players will want to play there.

 

[Struggle]

It works for the ipl

 

[frenchfri12]

Wait. So you're saying players staying at their own club for less money is a bad thing?

It's a bloody good thing for the game I say.

What, players making the salary cap useless?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

It works for the ipl

Which is one of the most corrupt leagues on the earth.....

 

[Sellout Scully]

I think the OP is half-right.

It should not apply for players already at their current clubs. Gunston can sign on for whatever amount him and the Hawks want at his own club that's his choice. No one should be forced to leave their club just coz of a clause about money.

I'm more concerned about when the player decides to leave their club for less money to go to other clubs in finals contention.

Take a hypothetical situation. Jaegar O'Meara is offered 300k to join Hawks and he wants to join them, even though Suns are offering 600k. Even though too young to be a free agent, he's still out of contract and could force the Suns to trade him anyway or risk losing for nothing. All O'Meara says publicly is he wants to go to Victoria, but it's clear he only wants Hawthorn.

Now imagine Bombers, Tigers, Dees, Saints etc all offer O'Meara 600k but he has his heart set on Hawthorn. They can't do anything. They can't even force Hawks to offer him more salary. Instead they have to take the hit again and get stuck into chasing B graders like Bird, Townsend, Melksham etc.

In some cases, these 'B' players are earning more than many premiership stars. Example: Heritier Lumumba is probably earning more than Grant Birchall. By contrast, weaker clubs are having to overpay mediocre players.

There are two solutions.

Solution 1: You lower the salary cap floor from 95% to say, 80% or something. Thus at least weaker clubs don't have to overpay mediocre players. With the Players Association though, this won't happen.

Solution 2: What I would propose is something similar to what happens with Restricted-Free Agents, where salary has to be matched (say within 15%). This applies to the clubs competing for a players signature once they've decided to leave. Using the hypothetical, O'Meara would is still traded normally. But now Hawks have to offer within 15% of the 600k offered by the other clus, thus preventing them to sign him for way unders. The thing I really like about this is that it would prevent things like 3rd party deals (let's not lie, it's still happening) becoming large factors in where a player decides to move to.