
Taper
Club Legend
- Jun 9, 2023
- 1,930
- 2,430
- AFL Club
- Geelong
We've seen how West Coast have been better at retaining players than Fremantle over the years, which isn't a surprise given the Eagles are bigger, more successful and have been around longer.
However, it's a different situation in SA.
You'd think the Crows being bigger, more successful and being around longer than Port would lead to them having better player retention rates than Port but this isn't the case.
Port were really bad in 2011 and 2012 yet they managed to retain Travis Boak despite my own club actively courting him. Clubs also tried to poach John Butcher but he decided to stay at Port.
Crows player losses have been well documented and we've seen Dangerfield, Cameron, Lever and Gunston all become premiership players after leaving the Crows.
I know Port lost Houston recently but this thread topic is about judging the clubs by the collective, rather than just one season.
Crows have had more success (2 flags > 1 flag), have been around longer (1991 > 1997) and have a bigger supporter base, so why have Port been better than the Crows at retaining players over the years?
However, it's a different situation in SA.
You'd think the Crows being bigger, more successful and being around longer than Port would lead to them having better player retention rates than Port but this isn't the case.
Port were really bad in 2011 and 2012 yet they managed to retain Travis Boak despite my own club actively courting him. Clubs also tried to poach John Butcher but he decided to stay at Port.
Crows player losses have been well documented and we've seen Dangerfield, Cameron, Lever and Gunston all become premiership players after leaving the Crows.
I know Port lost Houston recently but this thread topic is about judging the clubs by the collective, rather than just one season.
Crows have had more success (2 flags > 1 flag), have been around longer (1991 > 1997) and have a bigger supporter base, so why have Port been better than the Crows at retaining players over the years?