12 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

I still feel like they are a long way off being a real club. It must be so difficult to watch strong Victorian teams with lifelong passionate supporters for the young players at GCS and GWS. You are in the AFL system, but not in the AFL culture. It’s a minimum 30 year build, more likely 40 if the first 10 years are anything to go by for the Suns.

It’s a huge commitment from the AFL, and it must take a lot of work behind the scenes to maintain. I applaud Ben’s loyalty. Be interesting to hear the terms.

they will never be a real club; they'll always be a franchise

they may have success in the future but that doesn't change that they're an invention of head office who are primarily there to increase the tv / streaming rights coverage value and - theoretically - expand the code into northern markets

interesting to see that he's actually only signed for an additional two years; the original contract that was reported as mooted was for five more years

14 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

they will never be a real club; they'll always be a franchise

they may have success in the future but that doesn't change that they're an invention of head office who are primarily there to increase the tv / streaming rights coverage value and - theoretically - expand the code into northern markets

interesting to see that he's actually only signed for an additional two years; the original contract that was reported as mooted was for five more years

These extensions are invariably only for 2 years ... (Trac was an exception.) It keeps the club 'happy' but keeps the player's options open. 

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, Winners at last said:

These extensions are invariably only for 2 years ... (Trac was an exception.) It keeps the club 'happy' but keeps the player's options open. 

 

 

 

Trac's 7 years is at a completely different  stage of his career than Ben King extending by 2 years   It's not even logical to compare. 

58 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Ha ha! Collingwood have been planning their future forward line around King!

More like the Saints!

41 minutes ago, ProperDee said:

Terrible for the young bloke.  As another poster said, a potential star of the comp.  The incidents of serious injuries these days is a worry.  It's almost guaranteed every year that several players will cop a season ending injury.  Just hope that recent serious injuries to Tomlinson, Lever, vandenBerg et al keep our quota as fulfilled for a while yet. 

On another note, there is a lot to be said of the 70's and 80's version of footy training.  A couple of laps, kick to kick, circle work maybe a bit of one on one/backs -v-forwards and then a sprint to the sheds for a can of VB!  Hell, I even remember blokes having a smoke at half time!  BUT....very few serious injuries.

Your comparing local footy last century and training habits of local Clubs is irrelevant with AFL requirements for success in the 2020's! 

As was proven ( even only for a year or two)  by Burgess You train as you play. 

5 hours ago, 58er said:

Your comparing local footy last century and training habits of local Clubs is irrelevant with AFL requirements for success in the 2020's! 

As was proven ( even only for a year or two)  by Burgess You train as you play. 

😂 And you think I don’t know that? My comments were tongue in cheek. A comparison is ludicrous. Thanks for pointing that out though…..🙄