I would hope the club would pay him nowhere near $750,000. Offer him $100,000 a year more than the Pies with some incentives. Give him the term he wants upto 4 years

I do know that I'd like the club to recruit some 23 -24 year old players this year.

Offering him $100k more is equal to doing nothing at all. As B-H and old55 have both pointed out already, players aren't going to want to leave successful clubs to come here for only a "bit" more pay, it would need to be something really juicy. If you want to move players, you need to overpay. I think it's that simple.

Another brief snippet in The Age today about Melbourne being interested in Wellingham. No more info than that.

The sooner Cloke makes up his mind, the sooner we'll find out if Collingwood has the means to retain the likes of Wellingham.

Another brief snippet in The Age today about Melbourne being interested in Wellingham. No more info than that.

The sooner Cloke makes up his mind, the sooner we'll find out if Collingwood has the means to retain the likes of Wellingham.

Maybe if they bail out this weekend then we'll get some answers next week.

But you are still willing to part with A-grade dollars for a player that is certified B.

And if one day the likes of Trengove, Viney et al develop into A-graders, he will still be a B.

Wellingham is a short-term investment with a clear-cut ceiling and that sounds pretty unappealing for us.

Focus your energies on Dom Tyson.

Yes, I'm willing to part with A grade money. We have the money to spend, and we don't have enough A graders to spend it on.

Wellingham at B grade still exceeds the rest of our list, so spending money on him is not exactly unreasonable.

I don't know where your ceiling comment comes from? You've seen enough from him to think that's it? I disagree.

Another brief snippet in The Age today about Melbourne being interested in Wellingham. No more info than that.

The sooner Cloke makes up his mind, the sooner we'll find out if Collingwood has the means to retain the likes of Wellingham.

Agree. Another good reason for hoping that the 'pies are eliminated this weekend.

Agree. Another good reason for hoping that the 'pies are eliminated this weekend.

I would rather it drag on, no reason for things to come out prior to trade week, so it just makes it awkward imo for everyone.....

More money than sense at the moment - may as well use it as a 'signing fee' and get some decent players.

I hear decent players are all the rage...

More money than sense at the moment - may as well use it as a 'signing fee' and get some decent players.

I hear decent players are all the rage...

Did you have a nice red with lunch rpfc?

You'd offer a $350K player $750K because we can? To me that's madness. I want the club to get better too, but at what cost? Wellingham isn't an A grader, he's B. There comes a point where you have to manage your list with a semblance of logic and responsibility.

Whilst I agree with this sentiment of responsible management, they've a mandate to improve a list bereft of quality. List management and our inferior list allowed us to nab Mitch Clark on a rather large contract that would be undoubtedly heavily loaded this year to 'fill the breach', meaning the next few years would be scaled down to a more manageable number per season.

The same application of management would apply to anyone of significance coming in I'd imagine.

Personally I think the landscape of our list and a staggered contract terms for existing players allows scope for such an achievement. Ie. it could be $800K/$400K/$250K/$150 for 4yrs, ie avg. $1.6m/4yrs = $400K/yr. (example only)

Wellingham at B grade still exceeds the rest of our list, so spending money on him is not exactly unreasonable.

For now. But what happens in 3-4 years when (if) we're a decent side yet paying an A-grade salary for a B-grade player? Just because the here and now says he's A-grade compared to our current list. Sets a bad precedent if you ask me.

Typical Melbourne supporter. Happy with second-best. It's good enough for us. Wallpaper over the cracks. Calm the nervous nellies. Smells of our last decade.

If I'm forced into that garbage again I'm out tomorrow. That's a tipping point.

For now. But what happens in 3-4 years when (if) we're a decent side yet paying an A-grade salary for a B-grade player? Just because the here and now says he's A-grade compared to our current list. Sets a bad precedent if you ask me.

Deers, I think what people are saying though is that if we front-end his contract severely, almost like the first year has a signing bonus, then his salary won't be outrageous in 3-4 years time.

Deers, I think what people are saying though is that if we front-end his contract severely, almost like the first year has a signing bonus, then his salary won't be outrageous in 3-4 years time.

That sounds reasonable enough.

I'd still prefer waving big dollars at Dom Tyson, though. He's starting from further back than Wellingham, but IMO his potential is exceedingly good.

Offering him $100k more is equal to doing nothing at all. As B-H and old55 have both pointed out already, players aren't going to want to leave successful clubs to come here for only a "bit" more pay, it would need to be something really juicy. If you want to move players, you need to overpay. I think it's that simple.

The undefined bonus to this is a subtle shift in how the club is perceived.

Attracting players from higher performing clubs, whatever their motivation for moving, has to lessen the basket case image.

Hopefully over time the club becomes a more attractive place to be.

Money well spent IMO..

That sounds reasonable enough.

I'd still prefer waving big dollars at Dom Tyson, though. He's starting from further back than Wellingham, but IMO his potential is exceedingly good.

Difference is Dom is worth our pick 4 and Wellingham pick 13 or so.

Difference is Dom is worth our pick 4 and Wellingham pick 13 or so.

Would you exchange pick 3 and pick 4 for Tyson and a mini-draft selection (IE. Hogan) if it guaranteed Viney would be taken in the second round?

Would you exchange pick 3 and pick 4 for Tyson and a mini-draft selection (IE. Hogan) if it guaranteed Viney would be taken in the second round?

Yes, but i was just saying the difference in recruiting both players i would be happy to go to the draft and come back with :

Hogan, Tyson, Wellingham and Viney

that would be a super scenario. If Dom is set on leaving and GWS see this happens through Caddy maybe giving picks 3-4 for MD pick 1 and Dom will get it done.

Edit - If this backfired in 2 years time it would be the conclusion of all our drafting blunders.......

Offering him $100k more is equal to doing nothing at all. As B-H and old55 have both pointed out already, players aren't going to want to leave successful clubs to come here for only a "bit" more pay, it would need to be something really juicy. If you want to move players, you need to overpay. I think it's that simple.

Point take. Maybe you offer him an extra $250,000 in his first year for coming on board.

Point take. Maybe you offer him an extra $250,000 in his first year for coming on board.

Good idea, and you could call it a "front loaded contract". Damn, why didn't I (and old55) think of that?

Good idea, and you could call it a "front loaded contract". Damn, why didn't I (and old55) think of that?

But you guys did...oh...

How much to cut that fringe?

Absolute pea heart.. Softest thing ever in a prelim

Wellingham really poor indeed tonight...although a few mates there.

Pick 93 should get it over the line. Not the big game performance I was looking for.

Haha you guys are total morons...

Wellingham has struggled, as has Beams, Sidebottom, Swan, Thomas.

Could it be possible... Just maybe... That the Swans played really well?

No such thing as a pea heart player in the AFL and for MFC supporters to ever bag a premiership player from the Collingwood midfield is absolutely laughable.

I would rather it drag on, no reason for things to come out prior to trade week, so it just makes it awkward imo for everyone.....

Fair point Jordie.