Mitch Brown and de-listing

largebus

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Thread starter #1
Great read on how most careers end in the AFL.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-12/mitch-brown-on-what-its-like-to-be-de-listed/8888734
For all we all hear about the greats of the game who get to retire weeks in advance and get a chance to think about what to do in their next life (which is fantastic and all), the majority of players don't get to leave on their own terms--their careers are decided by an oft-split second decision--and thus they have no real time to plan their transition life after footy.
 

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legend166

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#3
That's some quality player management there from West Coast.

Obviously it's a cutthroat business and tough decisions are made, but to flip flop on a guy like that who has been with the club 10 years just seems like a jerk thing to do.

You'd think the AFLPA would get involved in something like that but they're a toothless tiger so no surprises.
 

legend166

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#5
I think most players know their career is finishing up when they are relegated to the reserves for weeks at a time. Split second decision? nah
That's what I was going to say too before reading the article, you'd think for a player who doesn't have a contract offer midway through their expiring contract year and is playing in the reserves probably knows the chances are slim they'll get a renewal.

But in this case they initially told him he wouldn't get another deal, then changed their minds and gave him a contract, then reneged again when another player became available.
 

Tasmaniac

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#8
Quite believable that it's tough on fringe players. The club itself wouldn't sure about the last 1-2 spots on their list and would entirely depend on what happens in the trade period (and info on Long Term Injuries). As Brown mentioned, he did have a contract in his hand, pop, Sam Mitchell is suddenly available, and bang, there goes his contract.
 

legend166

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#9
He's a small fish in a large pond. Majority know they will be moved on at years end if they haven't been performing. Interesting from his POV though and I wonder just how common that would be.
I'm still not convinced you read the article. He's not complaining about being delisted, but rather the manner he which he was delisted.
 

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Dr Tigris

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#13
Clubs have to have those players half in half out around trade time. They need the flexibility is someone drops into their laps.

But the poor buggers that don't know whether they are in or out!!

Tough gig. But then they get to live the dream - for a time anyway.
 

arfadunger

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#14
The AFL is a brutal business. Bit of a shame for Brown, but he should have known where he was in the AFL landscape and if he really wanted to continue to play with the Eagles then he should have signed the minute he got offered a contract.
 

Benny78

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#16
Lol where did this Mitch Brown come from? That's definitely not the ex-Geelong/Essendon Mitch Brown. Unless he's changed a lot in the last few years.
 

SizeMatters

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#19
I'm still not convinced you read the article. He's not complaining about being delisted, but rather the manner he which he was delisted.
I did read the article and it came across as Mitch Browns own personal experience. I'm just stating that for probably 90% of people that are delisted/not offered a new contract they know the writing is on the wall. It's a tough life being an older bloke on an AFL list while struggling to break into the best 22. The club comes before any one player.
 

Belnakor

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#21
Kind of surprising West Coast even offered him a contract.
he hesitated in signing it so i'm guessing it was a low amount.

the whole reason he got delisted was because he didn't sign quickly enough. If he'd signed on the spot he'd have got the contract. He um'd and ah'd and then Mitchell came on the market. Really only has himself to blame.
 
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#22
he hesitated in signing it so i'm guessing it was a low amount.

the whole reason he got delisted was because he didn't sign quickly enough. If he'd signed on the spot he'd have got the contract. He um'd and ah'd and then Mitchell came on the market. Really only has himself to blame.

Bit like gambling really. Sometimes your risks pay off other times you get sfa.
 

lewigie

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#23
he hesitated in signing it so i'm guessing it was a low amount.

the whole reason he got delisted was because he didn't sign quickly enough. If he'd signed on the spot he'd have got the contract. He um'd and ah'd and then Mitchell came on the market. Really only has himself to blame.
That's true, but obviously it wasn't just as simple as signing the contract infront of him because his partner also had offers from netball teams over east, he was trying to line up a club in Melbourne, there was a fair bit to juggle.

Unfortunately for him Sam Mitchell became available and if it's weighing up between Brown and Sam Mitchell..
 

Scotland

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#24
Interesting to get a bit of background. I did think it was weird at the time that he ended up playing for no one.

Does read as though he sat on the contract offer for a while and overestimated his bargaining position.
 

Thetrader15

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