The Go-Home Factor

[T Rick]

It is my view, that there is a lot more made of the "go home" factor than is justified by the facts. How many players have the Lions actually lost to the "go home" factor in the last 10 years? Off the top of my head, I can think of Headland. The reality is, a player such as Headland, may have been forced out in due course by our post-premiership salary cap issues anyway.

One can only assume that recruiters attempt to assess this in their "profiling" of potential recruits but I suspect we are likely to lose a lot more players over time due to other factors, i.e. salary cap pressures and interpersonal team dynamics. In the latter case, there will always be players who perceive themselves on the "outer" and request a trade.

Losing players to the Suns or the Giants is not a "go home" factor.

The 'success breeds success' and premiership window factor has been a major hold on players becoming "one club" players in the past but even that appears to becoming less likey with the introduction of a limited free agency over the next few years.

 

[whatboutbob]

It is my view, that there is a lot more made of the "go home" factor than is justified by the facts. How many players have the Lions actually lost to the "go home" factor in the last 10 years?

The more pertinent question IMO is Over the years how much of the salary cap has been wasted on "potential", as a result of player managers claiming their stock is suffering from a bout of the dreaded 'GHF', coinciding remarkably with contract-negotiations?

 

[western royboy]

It is my view, that there is a lot more made of the "go home" factor than is justified by the facts. How many players have the Lions actually lost to the "go home" factor in the last 10 years? Off the top of my head, I can think of Headland. The reality is, a player such as Headland, may have been forced out in due course by our post-premiership salary cap issues anyway.

One can only assume that recruiters attempt to assess this in their "profiling" of potential recruits but I suspect we are likely to lose a lot more players over time due to other factors, i.e. salary cap pressures and interpersonal team dynamics. In the latter case, there will always be players who perceive themselves on the "outer" and request a trade.

Losing players to the Suns or the Giants is not a "go home" factor.

The 'success breeds success' and premiership window factor has been a major hold on players becoming "one club" players in the past but even that appears to becoming less likey with the introduction of a limited free agency over the next few years.

Good post and very thought provoking. The "go home factor" usually becomes an issue;

a) when it's contract time or

b) when the player is borderline in the starting 22

Black, Brown and Power could easily have left for more money or to be closer to home. Ultimately they have stayed and our club is much better for it. They will retire quite rightly as legends of our club and always be held in esteemed status.

I recalla chat with JB just after the 2002 triumph. He said that it was a very tight group (with the exception of Aker) but he had doubts about Headland just because he thought the family would pull him home.

Dalziell is the other one that springs to mind but I don't think we lost anything there.

Free Agency will provide more problems but provided you have a good environment we should not be any worse off than anyone else.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Jason Gram

 

[Rosscoe_666]

Scott McIvor

____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who say "There are only two kinds of people in this world" and those who don't.

 

[greendiesel]

O'Bree
Primus
Rory Hilton

 

[JDogg]

Stay home factor - Marc Murphy.

 

[Lace Out]

Stay home factor - Marc Murphy.

Yeah the stay in Victoria factor is the silent killer.

 

[Quigley]

How many more would we have lost if we didn't pay them above market rates in order to keep them?

I think people also need to understand that the go home factor is not just homesickness. It is also the opportunity to earn more from "outside" sources. Look at the Visy deal for Judd, the amount that Geelong was able to put together to compete with the GC offer for GAJ and the bucketload of sponsorship opportunities available to everyone on the Collingwood list. These types of payments are not available to Brisbane. The opportunity to build for a career after football is also much easier in the football states where a player can position themselves to receive many more opportunities from playing for a local club and the exposure that that provides.

Also don't forget the appeal of the adulation and fame that they get in the other states. In Brisbane they are largely invisible whereas in Melb, Adel or Perth the same guys would be celebrities with all the perks that go along with that.

For these reasons and more I think the go home factor is a big deal for Brisbane and one that puts us at a big disadvantage in every negotiation we enter into with a player.

 

[Dylan12]

O'Bree
Primus
Rory Hilton

Primus was never a Brisbane Lion and was not one of the 8 Fitzroy players that the Bears had access to prior to the formation of the Brisbane Lions.

Was John Barker lost for that reason or was he a Tassie Boy? Also who initiated the Jarrod Molloy move...him or an amicable trade that netted us Mal Michael?

Chris Johnson was desperate to return back to Melbourne after his first couple of years and thank god was talked out of it. Even though I have it on DVD, I watched the replay of the 02 GF and like 21 other guys in that side, it reminded me of how good CJ was and how lucky we are that he remained in Brisbane to become an elite player.

 

[Dylan12]

For these reasons and more I think the go home factor is a big deal for Brisbane and one that puts us at a big disadvantage in every negotiation we enter into with a player.

Hence why that in this day and age we should be entitled to a larger salary cap, especially considering the factors you highlighted.

 

[Lace Out]

Hence why that in this day and age we should be entitled to a larger salary cap, especially considering the factors you highlighted.

It would be nice but do you really want to put up with everyone saying that's the only reason you win anything again?

 

[Rosscoe_666]

Primus was never a Brisbane Lion and was not one of the 8 Fitzroy players that the Bears had access to prior to the formation of the Brisbane Lions.

Was John Barker lost for that reason or was he a Tassie Boy? Also who initiated the Jarrod Molloy move...him or an amicable trade that netted us Mal Michael?

Chris Johnson was desperate to return back to Melbourne after his first couple of years and thank god was talked out of it. Even though I have it on DVD, I watched the replay of the 02 GF and like 21 other guys in that side, it reminded me of how good CJ was and how lucky we are that he remained in Brisbane to become an elite player.

John Barker was one of the "Great 8", and a Vic. Just got homesick, I understand, but he was also Johnno's best mate, and when Barks left Johnno initially wanted out too. As you said, thank God he stayed.

As for Jarrod, I believe he initiated the trade 'cos he wasn't getting enough games/time on the ground. Felt sorry for him afterwards, though - could have been a great FF for the Pies, but Tarrant held them to ransom and they forgot about Jarrod.

____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who say "There are only two kinds of people in this world" and those who don't.

 

[T Rick]

Stay home factor - Marc Murphy.

Agreed...this one really hurt and cost us a father -son when, Browny aside, these have been far and few between.

Will be interesting to see whether the "stay home factor" will keep him out of the clutches of GWS!

 

[Old Den]

Apparently Ash McGrath was keen to go home but eventually stayed.

WGH is a concern for all clubs but the Lions and Swans are at greater risk to lose players that way because of fewer quality locals on their lists - just simple maths really.

Yes...a happy,successful group is in the best position to resist go home pressure.

 

[dlanod]

It would be nice but do you really want to put up with everyone saying that's the only reason you win anything again?

I'd take it. I don't care that "everyone" says it was the only reason we win anything, because the only time I've seen it brought up is by trolls on BF.

 

[Lace Out]

I'd take it. I don't care that "everyone" says it was the only reason we win anything, because the only time I've seen it brought up is by trolls on BF.

I've got mates here in Melbourne that don't go near this site and stick it to me where there is any glimmer of opportunity.That's my personal experience anyway.

 

[Hollow Knight]

It is my view, that there is a lot more made of the "go home" factor than is justified by the facts. How many players have the Lions actually lost to the "go home" factor in the last 10 years? Off the top of my head, I can think of Headland. The reality is, a player such as Headland, may have been forced out in due course by our post-premiership salary cap issues anyway.

In hindsight, losing Headland doesn't seem major, but at the time, it was brutal.

He was in incredible form in the second half of 2002... as in "top 5 player in the competition" form.

To see him head home within a fortnight of winning a flag was absolutely gutting.

Two more names for you... Andrew Jarman & Nathan Buckley.

Agree with Quigley as well... we are very likely paying above market value for many players as a result of the go-home factor. Agents love it. Think of the big fish we could have landed in the past with the salary cap space that would be created by the ability to pay players market value.

 

[dlanod]

I've got mates here in Melbourne that don't go near this site and stick it to me where there is any glimmer of opportunity.That's my personal experience anyway.

True, Melbourne would probably be a different experience - especially Collingwood supporters.

 

[Pancho Gonzales]

* I was of the belief that Primus was wanted by the Lions but refused to go, preferring to help start up the Port Adelaide side.

* Aaron Shattock was another who wanted to go home (to SA).

* Why did Dylan McLaren leave for Carlton? I wasn't sorry to see him go, but that's another VIC boy heading home.

* Why did Damien Cupido end up at Essendon? Again, I know he was no big loss, but that's a #6 draft pick heading home.

* Shane O'Bree was a Pick 10 who decided to return to Melbourne.

* Daniel Bradshaw used the 'Go Home' factor is just about every contract negotiation, didn't he?

The 'Go Home' factor is a real thing and that's why the AFL gave us a retention allowance. Would a little extra cap space have helped us keep a Brennan or a Bradshaw? No-one will really ever know. It seems that the run-off isn't as great as it once was, but given that the spectre has raised it head again with a couple of the new boys it's probably safe to say that it's never going to go away.

 

[Grimreepah]

How many more would we have lost if we didn't pay them above market rates in order to keep them?

I think people also need to understand that the go home factor is not just homesickness. It is also the opportunity to earn more from "outside" sources. Look at the Visy deal for Judd, the amount that Geelong was able to put together to compete with the GC offer for GAJ and the bucketload of sponsorship opportunities available to everyone on the Collingwood list. These types of payments are not available to Brisbane. The opportunity to build for a career after football is also much easier in the football states where a player can position themselves to receive many more opportunities from playing for a local club and the exposure that that provides.

Also don't forget the appeal of the adulation and fame that they get in the other states. In Brisbane they are largely invisible whereas in Melb, Adel or Perth the same guys would be celebrities with all the perks that go along with that.

For these reasons and more I think the go home factor is a big deal for Brisbane and one that puts us at a big disadvantage in every negotiation we enter into with a player.

I think the introduction of the Gold Coast Suns in theory will make Qld more of a football state, and help with these factors.

 

[Rosscoe_666]

(1) In hindsight, losing Headland doesn't seem major, but at the time, it was brutal.

He was in incredible form in the second half of 2002... as in "top 5 player in the competition" form.

To see him head home within a fortnight of winning a flag was absolutely gutting.

(2) Agree with Quigley as well... we are very likely paying above market value for many players as a result of the go-home factor. Agents love it. Think of the big fish we could have landed in the past with the salary cap space that would be created by the ability to pay players market value.

(1) Sure was, although he went from being tagged by all opposition teams' 5-best tagger to their best at Freo; didn't do great things for his career, that move home.

(2) Still, I seem to remember an interview with Aker just after St Kilda re-signed Riewoldt the first time at a reported $600k per year. He said that that amount "... would get you me, Blackie and change at the Lions" (paraphrase), so we also clearly paid under the odds on occasion too.

(a) * I was of the belief that Primus was wanted by the Lions but refused to go, preferring to help start up the Port Adelaide side.

(b) * Why did Damien Cupido end up at Essendon? Again, I know he was no big loss, but that's a #6 draft pick heading home.

(c) * Shane O'Bree was a Pick 10 who decided to return to Melbourne.

(d) * Daniel Bradshaw used the 'Go Home' factor is just about every contract negotiation, didn't he?

(e) The 'Go Home' factor is a real thing and that's why the AFL gave us a retention allowance. Would a little extra cap space have helped us keep a Brennan or a Bradshaw? No-one will really ever know. It seems that the run-off isn't as great as it once was, but given that the spectre has raised it head again with a couple of the new boys it's probably safe to say that it's never going to go away.

(a) True

(b) Huge loss, IMHO. Didn't take orders well, but limitless talent if he could have been reined in a la Pikey

(c) Don't get me started on high "non-football-state" draft picks stolen by Collingwood. When I can start threads, WATCH OUT

(d) Yes, every time

(e) Brennan's from NT

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MITCH CLARK: ALL-AUSTRALIAN CENTRE-HALF-BACK 2011

 

[whatboutbob]

(e) Brennan's from NT

I believe Pancho was referring to the cap space that theoretically would have been freed up to help retain players if we weren't already over-paying others for the GHF.

 

[Rosscoe_666]

I believe Pancho was referring to the cap space that theoretically would have been freed up to help retain players if we weren't already over-paying others for the GHF.

Fair enough. Sorry if I offended; didn't mean to. Was still too fired up over the whole "Go home from the northern ("non-football") states to Collingwood even 'though I didn't play for it or even barrack for it as a kid" thing.

_____________________________________________________
MITCH CLARK: ALL-AUSTRALIAN CENTRE-HALF-BACK 2011