Just about everybody in the media game, is saying that Essendon are not going to get far off 5 flags over this decade (including this year, so they already are 1 from 1).
However, i do not think they will be that dominate, and will probably win 3 at the maximum. Yes, Essendon's current team are young, Yes, they have already won a flag, and Yes, they were minor premiers and unlucky last year.
However, i really doubt that Essendon will win 5 flags, and probably only win 3 at maximum for 1 reason - The Salary Cap.
I can't see how Essendon can keep all they're stars on their list, with the current salary cap. If the same list was playing 30 or so years ago, when there was no money in sport, then they probably would win or at least get close to 5 flags in a decade.
Look at their list. It is an amazing list, especially when you consider that there is over 15 players that are under 23. Of which, 10 are some of their bigger name players.
In about 3 years, this is what these players will be worth:
Blumfield - $ 350 000
Caracella - $ 500 000
Heffernan - $ 200 000
J Johnson - $ 350 000
M Johnson - $ 400 000
Lloyd - $ 1 000 000
Lucas - $ 500 000
Ramaunaskas - $ 250 000
Rioli - $ 300 000
Solomon - $ 250 000
Just from that list there $4.1 million dollars. That is 10 players, and the salary cap in 2003 will probably be about $7 million
Add that to some of the big name senior players currently on Essendon's List:
Fletcher (28) - $ 600 000
Hird (30) - $ 550 000
Mercuri (29) - $ 750 000
Misiti (29) - $ 550 000
Wellman (29) - $ 300 000
Theres $2.75 million From that group of 5 players, making for $6.85 million from their 15 biggest players. And they're nearly over the salary cap.
Unless some players take some big cuts they are not going to be able to keep all their star footballers.
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However, i do not think they will be that dominate, and will probably win 3 at the maximum. Yes, Essendon's current team are young, Yes, they have already won a flag, and Yes, they were minor premiers and unlucky last year.
However, i really doubt that Essendon will win 5 flags, and probably only win 3 at maximum for 1 reason - The Salary Cap.
I can't see how Essendon can keep all they're stars on their list, with the current salary cap. If the same list was playing 30 or so years ago, when there was no money in sport, then they probably would win or at least get close to 5 flags in a decade.
Look at their list. It is an amazing list, especially when you consider that there is over 15 players that are under 23. Of which, 10 are some of their bigger name players.
In about 3 years, this is what these players will be worth:
Blumfield - $ 350 000
Caracella - $ 500 000
Heffernan - $ 200 000
J Johnson - $ 350 000
M Johnson - $ 400 000
Lloyd - $ 1 000 000
Lucas - $ 500 000
Ramaunaskas - $ 250 000
Rioli - $ 300 000
Solomon - $ 250 000
Just from that list there $4.1 million dollars. That is 10 players, and the salary cap in 2003 will probably be about $7 million
Add that to some of the big name senior players currently on Essendon's List:
Fletcher (28) - $ 600 000
Hird (30) - $ 550 000
Mercuri (29) - $ 750 000
Misiti (29) - $ 550 000
Wellman (29) - $ 300 000
Theres $2.75 million From that group of 5 players, making for $6.85 million from their 15 biggest players. And they're nearly over the salary cap.
Unless some players take some big cuts they are not going to be able to keep all their star footballers.
------------------
for all your footballing needs visit my AFL web-site at <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/eastsydney5/index.html
Be" TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/eastsydney5/index.html
Be</A> sure to sign the Guestbook and Post your thoughts on my message board.