Doubt he'll go west

He loves playing at Royal Melbourne  ⛳

And Royal Perth isn't a patch on RM

 

Angus loves and the club and wants to stay. However he is 26yo and this is his last big contract negotiation. I think he wants a long term deal and he may have been offer for eg 3 years at 500k. I reckon he backs himself to have his best year yet and let his football do the talking so he can bank a long term deal

him leaving would be a major blow to our team and culture. 

2 hours ago, BDA said:

He's not money motivated

Maybe he's looking at years rather than dollars? Either way you can say all you want about being motivated by money but at the end of the day everyone has to look after their own interests, he will be looking to get the best deal he can for himself even if that doesn't mean gouging the club.

Gus and our first to GC for King 😜

Hope he stays. His work on the Wing is so important. 
he starves his opponent  stops their supply

Like Viney, not noticed as much as Tracc or Clarry, but just as important 

stick around Gus

Edited February 19, 20223 yr by Sir Why You Little

5 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Maybe he's looking at years rather than dollars? Either way you can say all you want about being motivated by money but at the end of the day everyone has to look after their own interests, he will be looking to get the best deal he can for himself even if that doesn't mean gouging the club.

You could be right for sure

I would also say he’s a natural on the podcast with Maxy. Intelligent and articulate a career in the media beckons post footy. Unlike other players whose options when they retire are limited and therefore have to maximise their earnings while they can Gus has a definite career option. I don’t think the big final contract is as big a necessity for him

I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a mutual parting at the end of the year if Gus plays another year on the wing. (And I hope he doesn’t play inside as that would likely mean that Trac or Clarry are missing games)

He’ll point out (and sell to other clubs) that he plays his best footy inside the centre square as evidenced by a 37 possession 3 goal game against Adelaide in 2018, or the clinic he and Gawn put on in a devastating third quarter against the Dogs later that year.

We need to save our money for generational game changing players such as Oliver and Jackson who are out of contract soon, not spend the farm on solid role players such as the one Brayshaw has come.

We can’t keep all our premiership heroes.

3 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Gus doesn't seem the type to be motivated by money and doubt he would be looking for a FA type windfall.  He would know he won't get what he is worth at the Dees but will most likely have a minimum  $/term/incentives he would sign for.  

On the other hand, as much loved and as courageous as he is, the club may feel he is the easiest on-baller to replace with the range of players waiting in the wings.

His 15 minutes in the 3rd quarter helped turn the tide in the GF.  A cameo?  Maybe.  But the spoil then mark and goal were inspirational.  He gave us the lead and team belief went up.

His defensive wing role limits him showcasing and using his talent.  Is it satisfying enough for hm?  Does he want to be a role player for another 5-7 years...

A different (midfield and perhaps a leadership team) role might be enough to entice him away. 

Would understand if he left.  Hope he stays. 

Its a nice problem to now have, but as with the Cats and the Tiges, we are now at a time where the players need to decide if they want less money to stay together and become a dynasty, or not. 

Its up to them really and time will tell.   I suspect we won't lose anyone short of a jesse Hogan-type scenario where compelling personal reasons override staying.

The upside is that key players have "come home" to us - Lever, Langdon, May(sort of - ex Melb Grammar boy so knows the city).

But the engine room - Gawn, Viney Petracca and Oliver are rock solid. Who wouldn't want to play with them - unless you can't get a regular game?

I think Gus has been a fantastic club person for this footy club and I've heard the term spiritual leader attached to his name from teammates etc. 

He's been heavily invested into the footy club, and played an enormous role in our drought breaking flag. He'll always be a demon champion in my eyes.

But, it's well known there is some salary cap concerns and we still need to tie up Oliver and Jackson to long term deals. If there was to be a player that I would sacrifice to free up some salary cap. space just so we can keep a potential once in a generation players in Jackson and Oliver then I'd fully support Angus looking elsewhere. 

I'm also a big believer that you need to keep regenerating your list along the way when you're contending for flags. While it would be a loss from a team perspective, I see this as a great an opportunity for young players like Bailey Laurie, Blake Howes, Taj Woewodin or even Jake Bowey to push up onto a wing and own that position. Talented young players who could slot in straight away and impact with senior heads around them.

Don’t want him to go anywhere 

but in the end it’s his future and his payoff. But as a two time premiership player even better three time. 
Who or how can you anyone say anything negative about his motives 

lets see what happens after B2B in 22

With him signing his last contract after finishing 4th in the Brownlow playing a position he no longer plays in - it creates a problem where we won’t pay him to play in a position that can be filled by a disciplined, fit, defence first player on the other wing to Langdon.

We will have to tread carefully with him and be open about how much we can pay him. He is probably backing himself to outstrip our estimations and expectations of his output on the wing and convince us that he is worth more than just the defensive wing extension to our excellent backline.

Go Angus!

4 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Go Angus!

Stay Angus!

Not sure how we have cap issues when we were interesting in Cerra

 

As much as I love Gussy, if he squeezes us too hard we have to let him go, Oliver and Jackson are priority. Defensive wingman we can replace, once in a generation midfielder/ruck we cannot.

Deferring contract talks is not the scary term it used to be.  The media love it and it makes for a provocative headline but nowadays, more often than not, it doesn’t indicate a player’s unrest or wanting to leave.

As others have said, there’s too many other factors at play including cba and other priority signings.  Start to worry if this stretches out after the bye.

 

16 minutes ago, adonski said:

Not sure how we have cap issues when we were interesting in Cerra

 

I think that getting Cerra was dependant on finding a home for Melksham, and probably not re-signing Hibberd.

2 hours ago, The Stigga said:

There's probably an awareness that Jackson and Oliver are priorities

Perhaps it's a question of what remains after that?

I'd be staggered if there was no collateral from our success. 

And how long are players like Laurie and Rosman going to wait in the wings for?

The club expect to lose 1-2 players from our best 25 at the end of this year to free up cap space.

Edited February 19, 20223 yr by Beetle

44 minutes ago, adonski said:

Not sure how we have cap issues when we were interesting in Cerra

 

Cerra was signing a great value deal at Carlton due to the other Victorian clubs either having no interest, no cap room or no draft capital. 

We would’ve had to give a player up just to get the picks needed for Cerra. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if our interest in Cerra involved trading Gus (and picks) for him. Or at least knowing we bring Cerra in then have flexibility about players leaving at the end of the year 

Edited February 19, 20223 yr by DeeSpencer

I can’t see Gus wanting to leave myself, he seems such an ingrained and popular part of our club. I suppose only if he wants a massive payday which we couldn’t begrudge him for…going to be tough to keep everyone we have so many stars now

Not quite clear on our backup plan for the wing if he leaves (or is injured this year). Unless he shows drastic improvement it isn’t Baker. Rosman a project player so no guarantee there. Do you start grooming someone like Rivers for the role?

11 minutes ago, The Jackson 6 said:

Not quite clear on our backup plan for the wing if he leaves (or is injured this year). Unless he shows drastic improvement it isn’t Baker. Rosman a project player so no guarantee there. Do you start grooming someone like Rivers for the role?

Hunt would be ok on the wing imo. 

10 minutes ago, The Jackson 6 said:

Not quite clear on our backup plan for the wing if he leaves (or is injured this year). Unless he shows drastic improvement it isn’t Baker. Rosman a project player so no guarantee there. Do you start grooming someone like Rivers for the role?

Jordon played the role for him a little in '21 didn't he? Might not have the tank yet, but attributes wise he's probably not a massively different option to Gus.

There's also the possibility they look at one of the half back as you mentioned. Could see one of Rivers, Bowey or Hunt getting a chance.

28 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

Hunt would be ok on the wing imo. 

Only if he increases his tank and learns to. Drop the ball onto his foot 

If he stays he stays, if he goes he goes. 

This year the fight for places will push players to new heights or they will be replaced by others players like Jordan, Hunt, Bedford, Mitch Brown, Chandler, Tomlinson, Dunstan, Melksham, Weideman, Smith, Baker and Daw have played AFL, they want a chance to play in the 22 again and get some silverware.

Whilst players like Laurie, Rosman, Howes, Woewodin, Van Rooyen, Deakyn Smith, Moniz-Wakefield and McVee are learning their trade and pushing to get into the best 23 or become an emergency for the best 23 showing they have the talent to become an AFL footballer of some substance.

This competition for spots will only make the team better, along with the pressure of the other 17 teams wanting a big scalp in 2022 and a place in the 8 at our expense.