The Marxist Strategy

By Fat Tony

Like the Bulldogs have embarked on under President Peter Gordon, the MFC needs to start encouraging the AFL and the AFL Players Association to look in the mirror for an answer as to the current state of the game. The many systemic faults in the game are sending poor clubs to the wall and are fast leading to the competition that is permanently uneven. This is a travesty, as Australia’s ‘fair go’ culture won’t stand for the AFL evolving into an English Premier League, which only maintains any relevancy due to relegation system and the reward of European Cup/Champions League qualification. I fear that once the genie is out of the bottle there is no turning back.

While our fixture is ultra friendly from a ‘winning’ point of view, it is horrendous from a commercial standpoint. Putting aside the pitiful football we are currently playing, the lack of free to air TV exposure reduces our ability to attract sponsors and members and will see our supporter base quickly dwindle over time to a point of irrelevancy. The AFL is obviously looking to maximise its TV rights deal, however short-term profits will come at the expense of poorer clubs and will ultimately see the total size of the pie decline.

The introduction of expansion teams has clearly hurt the poorest clubs at the bottom of the ladder. The cream of the draft has been taken by GCS and GWS. And they have also clearly targeted the weaker clubs for their uncontracted mature recruits.

The introduction of free agency has also obviously hurt the bottom clubs. Key players have left clubs such as Melbourne and St Kilda for greener pastures, while other players have moved to successful clubs despite being offered more money by elsewhere.

The AFL also needs to look at players successfully manipulating the draft by nominating contractual terms. The ability of players like Luke Ball and Kurt Tippett to get through to top sides highlights this issue.

Players are also weakening the poorer clubs in the trade period. The Brian Lake trade to Hawthorn for less money and the Chris Dawes’s trade to Melbourne for twice the money he was on at Collingwood are both examples that highlight this issue. Furthermore, Josh Caddy wouldn’t even entertain playing for MFC despite the fact that he would have had greater opportunity and earned more money here.

The AFL also needs to stamp out third party deals like the Judd/Visy contract, which obviously subverts the intentions of the salary cap.

The AFL Players Association needs to be called out for its incredible hypocrisy, wanting to see all players given equal chance of success no matter where they are drafted, yet pushing for higher salaries (and maximised TV rights), greater flexibility in moving between clubs and the allowance of third party deals. It is a ‘cake and eat it too’ stance and the AFL PA is really letting down its members at the poorer clubs.

One idea I think we should propose is a change to the salary cap system whereby the salary cap reduces for the clubs that finish higher the year before. Obviously the AFL would have to ensure that the cap is fully paid by all clubs. This would help reduce the incentive for players to leave the bottom clubs for the top clubs. An example of the sliding salary cap is shown below.

Premier in 2013 - Salary Cap in 2014: $10,000,000

2^nd - $10,100,000

3^rd - $10,200,000

.

.

.

17^th - $11,600,000

18^th - $11,700,000

I feel the AFL should also look to promote club loyalty and could also consider weighting the salaries lower in the salary cap for one-club players. (i.e. loyal players are weighted as 0.9 in the cap.)

Of course, the MFC would need to tread carefully in pushing for greater equality measures, as we could easily be accused of biting the hand that feeds us. (Particularly given our draft picks/tanking history.) However, without changes like this to the system we will be dead anyway.

I fear for the club unless we adopt this strategy and I am not convinced that Peter Jackson will be the person best equipped to take on this fight. While I am certainly glad to see the back of Schwab and I am happy Jackson is there at present, I am not sure whether he should be a long-term appointment given he has come from within the AFL.

On radio this morning, Eddie McGuire canvassed the idea of the Demons and the Bulldogs being given oversized salary caps next year in order to boost equality in the competition. I hope the MFC and AFL administrations were listening and are smart enough to realise that without such measures we will die. McGuire is biased, conflicted and often hypocritical, but he can see the forest for the trees on this one and clearly has the game and competition at heart. We need to propose measures such as the sliding salary cap, otherwise our next coach has no chance.

On radio this morning, Eddie McGuire canvassed the idea of the Demons and the Bulldogs being given oversized salary caps next year in order to boost equality in the competition. I hope the MFC and AFL administrations were listening and are smart enough to realise that without such measures we will die. McGuire is biased, conflicted and often hypocritical, but he can see the forest for the trees on this one and clearly has the game and competition at heart. We need to propose measures such as the sliding salary cap, otherwise our next coach has no chance.

Eddie is a legend, wheteher you like him or not.

Extra salary cap makes sense and is fair.

Not the MFC's or DOggies fault that we dont have as many supporters/mmebers as the Pies, Dons, Eagles etc etc

The demons could do with a Eddie.

The demons could do with a Eddie.

This is why having the AFL take over is a bad idea.

Interesting idea Tony. But is more charity going to put some anger & Passion on the field?

That is what is missing right now Passion for the jumper.

Develop draft picks.

Eddie is applauded for saying it, but we need something deeper, as well as draft picks & $$$ !!!

What a mess

Interesting idea Tony. But is more charity going to put some anger & Passion on the field?

That is what is missing right now Passion for the jumper.

Develop draft picks.

Eddie is applauded for saying it, but we need something deeper, as well as draft picks & $$$ !!!

What a mess

Click....sssss....click....sssss...click.....ssss........

Click....sssss....click....sssss...click.....ssss........

Your point???

Interesting idea Tony. But is more charity going to put some anger & Passion on the field?

That is what is missing right now Passion for the jumper.

Develop draft picks.

Eddie is applauded for saying it, but we need something deeper, as well as draft picks & $$$ !!!

What a mess

A sliding cap system should not be seen as charity, as it would adjust year on year depending on ladder position, not wealth. Really what my system is trying to do is compensate free agents more for going to weaker clubs.

Even if we draft and develop players as well as Geelong, we are swimming against the tide if the competition is set up so that they can leave to go to stronger clubs via free agency.

And I don't see our current position being much due to lack of anger and passion. It is lack of talent and a hopeless system.

A sliding cap system should not be seen as charity, as it would adjust year on year depending on ladder position, not wealth. Really what my system is trying to do is compensate free agents more for going to weaker clubs.

Even if we draft and develop players as well as Geelong, we are swimming against the tide if the competition is set up so that they can leave to go to stronger clubs via free agency.

And I don't see our current position being much due to lack of anger and passion. It is lack of talent and a hopeless system.

i agree with what you say, but if our guys refuse to run in the first half which we have done all year that is the passion i am talking about.

Fitzroy had a crack until the last game, it was hopeless but they had a crack.

Why do we have no passion?

Less than what we had under Bailey?

Schwab's strategy of tanking sucked it out.

I like your idea, but we need to develop Passion first otherwise nothing will work.

This makes me sick.

While I agree the club NEEDS equalisation to stay competitive, it's a travesty it's actually come to that.

Let it be known I'd much rather the club die on its sword than die with a leash around its neck.

You don't earn respect by being given leg-ups by the league.

And also, the comparisons with the EPL are pathetic and defeatist: a much better comparison would be the NBA. Each team has the same salary cap, but the big-market teams (Lakers, Knicks, Heat, Bulls) can afford to pay the "luxury tax" -- a tax on all salary beyond the cap -- which allows them to sign multiple superstar free agents.

In the case of the AFL the big clubs have the capacity to spend more on football development because they have the finances.

The EPL has no salary cap and is essentially compromised by ultra-capitalism. The NBA, AFL etc. already have elements of Marxist socialism in their regulations on spending.

PLEASE stop with the comparison to the EPL. Please.

The reality is that no matter how much you assist a club like Melbourne, it will always be burdened by a distinctive LACK of culture -- rather than a culture that's bad: it simply has NO culture whatsoever.

No matter how much money you throw at Melbourne, it's still INDIVIDUALS pulling on the jumper, and if there is nothing to play for, the players won't play.

Eddie is taking pity on Melbourne, not because they have fallen behind because of inequality.

He is taking pity on Melbourne because it has fallen on its own sword.

Melbourne's ineptness has N.O.T.H.I.N.G. to do with inequality in the league. Inequality exists BECAUSE of clubs like Melbourne.

The Marxist Strategy

By Fat Tony

Like the Bulldogs have embarked on under President Peter Gordon, the MFC needs to start encouraging the AFL and the AFL Players Association to look in the mirror for an answer as to the current state of the game. The many systemic faults in the game are sending poor clubs to the wall and are fast leading to the competition that is permanently uneven. This is a travesty, as Australia’s ‘fair go’ culture won’t stand for the AFL evolving into an English Premier League, which only maintains any relevancy due to relegation system and the reward of European Cup/Champions League qualification. I fear that once the genie is out of the bottle there is no turning back.

While our fixture is ultra friendly from a ‘winning’ point of view, it is horrendous from a commercial standpoint. Putting aside the pitiful football we are currently playing, the lack of free to air TV exposure reduces our ability to attract sponsors and members and will see our supporter base quickly dwindle over time to a point of irrelevancy. The AFL is obviously looking to maximise its TV rights deal, however short-term profits will come at the expense of poorer clubs and will ultimately see the total size of the pie decline.

The introduction of expansion teams has clearly hurt the poorest clubs at the bottom of the ladder. The cream of the draft has been taken by GCS and GWS. And they have also clearly targeted the weaker clubs for their uncontracted mature recruits.

The introduction of free agency has also obviously hurt the bottom clubs. Key players have left clubs such as Melbourne and St Kilda for greener pastures, while other players have moved to successful clubs despite being offered more money by elsewhere.

The AFL also needs to look at players successfully manipulating the draft by nominating contractual terms. The ability of players like Luke Ball and Kurt Tippett to get through to top sides highlights this issue.

Players are also weakening the poorer clubs in the trade period. The Brian Lake trade to Hawthorn for less money and the Chris Dawes’s trade to Melbourne for twice the money he was on at Collingwood are both examples that highlight this issue. Furthermore, Josh Caddy wouldn’t even entertain playing for MFC despite the fact that he would have had greater opportunity and earned more money here.

The AFL also needs to stamp out third party deals like the Judd/Visy contract, which obviously subverts the intentions of the salary cap.

The AFL Players Association needs to be called out for its incredible hypocrisy, wanting to see all players given equal chance of success no matter where they are drafted, yet pushing for higher salaries (and maximised TV rights), greater flexibility in moving between clubs and the allowance of third party deals. It is a ‘cake and eat it too’ stance and the AFL PA is really letting down its members at the poorer clubs.

One idea I think we should propose is a change to the salary cap system whereby the salary cap reduces for the clubs that finish higher the year before. Obviously the AFL would have to ensure that the cap is fully paid by all clubs. This would help reduce the incentive for players to leave the bottom clubs for the top clubs. An example of the sliding salary cap is shown below.

Premier in 2013 - Salary Cap in 2014: $10,000,000

2^nd - $10,100,000

3^rd - $10,200,000

.

.

.

17^th - $11,600,000

18^th - $11,700,000

I feel the AFL should also look to promote club loyalty and could also consider weighting the salaries lower in the salary cap for one-club players. (i.e. loyal players are weighted as 0.9 in the cap.)

Of course, the MFC would need to tread carefully in pushing for greater equality measures, as we could easily be accused of biting the hand that feeds us. (Particularly given our draft picks/tanking history.) However, without changes like this to the system we will be dead anyway.

I fear for the club unless we adopt this strategy and I am not convinced that Peter Jackson will be the person best equipped to take on this fight. While I am certainly glad to see the back of Schwab and I am happy Jackson is there at present, I am not sure whether he should be a long-term appointment given he has come from within the AFL.

I understand where you are coming from on the salary cap Tony, but I think it would actually favour the richer clubs

why?

1] the poorer clubs don't have the money or they have to cut back elsewhere e.g. FD spend

2] whilst there is a rule that you must pay 95% of cap you would easily end up with the worst side forced to pay the highest total salary (and still not landing any big fish)

it is crazy that the worst side pays the same salary as the best side. Weaker clubs should be able to pay a far lower % of the cap

even using performance incentives weak clubs are still forced to pay overs because of the 95% rule

I like the idea of replacing the Veteran's list category with a sliding scale for salary weighting so that for every two years a player stays at a club, there is a 10% reduction in that player's salary with respect to calculation of the salary cap up to a maximum of 50%. In other words, for years 1 and 2, 100% of salary is counted; for years 3 and 4, 90% of salary is counted, etc. It would help clubs retain players.

Players Association won't like it, but all it really does is call their bluff when they say players don't move for the money.

I understand where you are coming from on the salary cap Tony, but I think it would actually favour the richer clubs

why?

1] the poorer clubs don't have the money or they have to cut back elsewhere e.g. FD spend

2] whilst there is a rule that you must pay 95% of cap you would easily end up with the worst side forced to pay the highest total salary (and still not landing any big fish)

it is crazy that the worst side pays the same salary as the best side. Weaker clubs should be able to pay a far lower % of the cap

even using performance incentives weak clubs are still forced to pay overs because of the 95% rule

While it seems crazy, it's not. It helps prevent the AFL from facing a restraint of trade action. Players have very little say in which team they play for (none, really, until they are free agents). Which means a top quality player may end up at a dud club. If teams at the bottom of the ladder pay less than those higher up, players will be earning less even though they have no capability of moving to where they can earn more. That's unfair.

While it seems crazy, it's not. It helps prevent the AFL from facing a restraint of trade action. Players have very little say in which team they play for (none, really, until they are free agents). Which means a top quality player may end up at a dud club. If teams at the bottom of the ladder pay less than those higher up, players will be earning less even though they have no capability of moving to where they can earn more. That's unfair.

Correct.

But its tough on supporters and members.

Look at next sundays game.

Both MFC & Hawthorn teams are paid the same salary +- of course.

What do we do. The gap is huge.

Your point???

You sound like a broken record, nothing but negativity, suggest a fix now and again, ok the passion has gone, how do we get it back?

The players did not refuse to run, they were overwhelmed, you need to ask why and how we fix it?

Correct.

But its tough on supporters and members.

Look at next sundays game.

Both MFC & Hawthorn teams are paid the same salary +- of course.

What do we do. The gap is huge.

Without it the gap would widen even further, we would die and Collingwood would win the flag every year.

You sound like a broken record, nothing but negativity, suggest a fix now and again, ok the passion has gone, how do we get it back?

The players did not refuse to run, they were overwhelmed, you need to ask why and how we fix it?

Overwhelmed, by what the weather??

It's a natural thing to run on a footy field.

You Satyriconhome are brainwashed by Neeld Spin.

Or maybe this is Mark Neeld?

Regardless you are a fool.

Overwhelmed, that's actually funny.

Easy money to be made here. Round 9 of year 2 and the players are still crapping themselves.

Wonderful.

While it seems crazy, it's not. It helps prevent the AFL from facing a restraint of trade action. Players have very little say in which team they play for (none, really, until they are free agents). Which means a top quality player may end up at a dud club. If teams at the bottom of the ladder pay less than those higher up, players will be earning less even though they have no capability of moving to where they can earn more. That's unfair.

i understand the reasoning ldvc and tony but in practice it is like a set of handcuffs restraining weaker clubs

and it flies in the face of pay for performance...........so yes it is certainly a marxist policy

a salary max cap makes sense but a very high min (almost = max) makes less sense

the result is a poor player is virtually guaranteed to be paid more at a weak club

a top player at a weak club would not be penalised in practice at a weak club if the min was lowered

I would also introduce a Grandfather/Grandson rule for 200+ games; to encourage club loyalty to older players. As the progeny of a Grandfather can result from a players daughters as well as sons, the potential rewards for a club increases dramatically – not to mention that there could obviously be considerable inherent talent (from such a long career); and of course significant future marketing/promotional prospects.

Many players approaching this stage of their career will also likely have young children; and though not significant, the potential future prospects of family could easily play a small part of the decision making process as to whether to stay/leave a club (with free agency).

Like father/sons fans will love seeing the next generation of club legends coming through (even if it has skipped a generation)

It’s a win/win for everyone!

Eddie probably wants us to have a larger cap so we can fast-track our own demise and clear two sides out of Collingwood's marketplace.

Eddie probably wants us to have a larger cap so we can fast-track our own demise and clear two sides out of Collingwood's marketplace.

Eddie wants us to have a higher salary cap so that he doesn't have to share gate receipts among all the clubs.

I like FT's ideas, but also should be added:an equalised draw, and equalised Free TV allocation and most importantly Andrew D's performance salary NOT tied to attendance will go a long way to creating a level playing field.

At the moment it is in his interests to promote Collingwoods interests.

No wonder Eddie wants to deflect and offer chicken feed in the hope that his real game is overlooked.....

The Marxist Strategy

By Fat Tony

Like the Bulldogs have embarked on under President Peter Gordon, the MFC needs to start encouraging the AFL and the AFL Players Association to look in the mirror for an answer as to the current state of the game. The many systemic faults in the game are sending poor clubs to the wall and are fast leading to the competition that is permanently uneven. This is a travesty, as Australia’s ‘fair go’ culture won’t stand for the AFL evolving into an English Premier League, which only maintains any relevancy due to relegation system and the reward of European Cup/Champions League qualification. I fear that once the genie is out of the bottle there is no turning back.

While our fixture is ultra friendly from a ‘winning’ point of view, it is horrendous from a commercial standpoint. Putting aside the pitiful football we are currently playing, the lack of free to air TV exposure reduces our ability to attract sponsors and members and will see our supporter base quickly dwindle over time to a point of irrelevancy. The AFL is obviously looking to maximise its TV rights deal, however short-term profits will come at the expense of poorer clubs and will ultimately see the total size of the pie decline.

The introduction of expansion teams has clearly hurt the poorest clubs at the bottom of the ladder. The cream of the draft has been taken by GCS and GWS. And they have also clearly targeted the weaker clubs for their uncontracted mature recruits.

The introduction of free agency has also obviously hurt the bottom clubs. Key players have left clubs such as Melbourne and St Kilda for greener pastures, while other players have moved to successful clubs despite being offered more money by elsewhere.

The AFL also needs to look at players successfully manipulating the draft by nominating contractual terms. The ability of players like Luke Ball and Kurt Tippett to get through to top sides highlights this issue.

Players are also weakening the poorer clubs in the trade period. The Brian Lake trade to Hawthorn for less money and the Chris Dawes’s trade to Melbourne for twice the money he was on at Collingwood are both examples that highlight this issue. Furthermore, Josh Caddy wouldn’t even entertain playing for MFC despite the fact that he would have had greater opportunity and earned more money here.

The AFL also needs to stamp out third party deals like the Judd/Visy contract, which obviously subverts the intentions of the salary cap.

The AFL Players Association needs to be called out for its incredible hypocrisy, wanting to see all players given equal chance of success no matter where they are drafted, yet pushing for higher salaries (and maximised TV rights), greater flexibility in moving between clubs and the allowance of third party deals. It is a ‘cake and eat it too’ stance and the AFL PA is really letting down its members at the poorer clubs.

One idea I think we should propose is a change to the salary cap system whereby the salary cap reduces for the clubs that finish higher the year before. Obviously the AFL would have to ensure that the cap is fully paid by all clubs. This would help reduce the incentive for players to leave the bottom clubs for the top clubs. An example of the sliding salary cap is shown below.

Premier in 2013 - Salary Cap in 2014: $10,000,000

2^nd - $10,100,000

3^rd - $10,200,000

.

.

.

17^th - $11,600,000

18^th - $11,700,000

I feel the AFL should also look to promote club loyalty and could also consider weighting the salaries lower in the salary cap for one-club players. (i.e. loyal players are weighted as 0.9 in the cap.)

Of course, the MFC would need to tread carefully in pushing for greater equality measures, as we could easily be accused of biting the hand that feeds us. (Particularly given our draft picks/tanking history.) However, without changes like this to the system we will be dead anyway.

I fear for the club unless we adopt this strategy and I am not convinced that Peter Jackson will be the person best equipped to take on this fight. While I am certainly glad to see the back of Schwab and I am happy Jackson is there at present, I am not sure whether he should be a long-term appointment given he has come from within the AFL.

rubbish

best example carlton

they appointed the best midfeild coach in demons history

they were rock bottom and laughing stock

they drafted late with calls of WHO ARE THEY

taken after so called big names, garlett, yarram, robinson, lucas,

years ago WC were rock bottom and drafted out of trouble

collingwood were worse and drafted out

we have taken dawes , clark because big fellas dont grow on trees

midfeild is regarded as worst seen and adding a champion to it for this year was a waste of time

key young players held in ressies until next year good decision

whoever is coach will draft mids at this years draft and will have reasonable start to next year with a full preseason, hopefully

equalisation adds up to nuffffin

bad administration and bad decisions on fd equals lower place on the ladder. this is FACT

anyway im ready for a bright start to 2014

rubbish

best example carlton

they appointed the best midfeild coach in demons history

they were rock bottom and laughing stock

they drafted late with calls of WHO ARE THEY

taken after so called big names, garlett, yarram, robinson, lucas,

years ago WC were rock bottom and drafted out of trouble

collingwood were worse and drafted out

we have taken dawes , clark because big fellas dont grow on trees

midfeild is regarded as worst seen and adding a champion to it for this year was a waste of time

key young players held in ressies until next year good decision

whoever is coach will draft mids at this years draft and will have reasonable start to next year with a full preseason, hopefully

equalisation adds up to nuffffin

bad administration and bad decisions on fd equals lower place on the ladder. this is FACT

anyway im ready for a bright start to 2014

This.

I find it astonishing how people try so hard to push socialism into so many facets, even sport.

IMO it is the clubs' responsibility to ensure equality: you're only as bad as your performances. And the league does not control performances.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/give-dees-bulldogs-2m-to-buy-players-mcguire-20130528-2n9cj.html