Based on those figures we're committing over 25% of our cap space to just 4 players. If we do that we're setting ourselves up for trouble in the years to come as other kids start to come good and look for their fair share of the pie. Assuming Deledio is on the $600k that I've put for him, unless we land Cloke I wouldn't be paying anyone more than that at this stage. Remember Deledio is a 2 time B&F winner and an 8 year veteran who has earnt that sort of deal. Cotchin Martin and Jack as good as they maybe aren't worth the money you've given them at this stage.
For mine I would be looking at getting them on 2-3 year deals for an average $450k per year max. That would pay them well for what they have produced and gives us room to move in the future when the cap increases and their onfield results are demanding of being paid top dollar. The other thing I would be explaining to them for offering them this amount is that with guys like Rance Grimes Ellis Conca & Vickery coming out of contract we need to be able to keep them if this team is going to deliver on what we've set out to achieve. I'd also be explaining that with them taking this sort of coin it would give us the ability to be active in the free agent market as well.
BTW with Cotchins $300k, that is what I would have him on now heading into the final year of his current deal, which is about right given that he was coming of injury concerns when that deal would have been signed. A 50% increase heading into his new deal is nothing to be sneezed at. It would also give us room to move in 2-3 years time where we could then give him another 50% increase and pay him around $600k per season as he enters the prime of his career.
This is exactly why we should not get Cloke. I'm sure the club agree.





