I think there’s a lot of similarities between our club and Carlton. The main one being that the players hold too much power and sook when they don’t get what they want.

Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by Ethan Tremblay

3 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I can categorically tell you that this happens, as I happen to know a very well known Geelong player who shall remain nameless who is getting paid well below market worth, but has a parcel of land worth millions.

Geelong is very clever in the way they do it, it makes it almost impossible to prove, as the land does not belong to Geelong or anyone officially employed by them.

The investigation into them was a total sham, conducted by a former Geelong employee.

Why is there so much interest of the AFL (and Vic government) in Geelong being perennial contenders?

It's not like they are one of the big clubs.

Is it more politically driven? As compare to financially driven.

3 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

None of such transactions would go thru Geelong's accounts. It would be via a third party and the AFL wouldn't have the right to audit it. Quite possible the 3rd party is a company or a trust. No hope there for the AFL to 'follow the money trail'.

But it still needs to be a legal transfer.

Potential to make money from the land:

• a 'peppercorn rent' to avoid it being purchased at market value. It could change legal status when the player retires. (DL legal eagles may confirm).

• the land may have potential for rezoning thus increasing its future value and a financial windfall.

• The player could create a farm thus allowing him to be classified as a 'primary producer' for income tax purposes. Given the types of expense deductions allowed and player marginal tax rate that would be a fairly juicy perk.

There are other 3rd party perks rumoured for Geelong players and their families.

I've long held the view that Geelong player salaries should be bench marked to the equivalent palyers in the league. That is really easy to do. The AFL should make them explain any significant deviations.

Benchmark salaries like the NBA does.

The concept of MAX player comes to mind. That would apply to the likes of Curnow, Bayley Smith, Cameron.

Imagine the response from the AFL if Goodwin was appointed as the new chief of leadership and performance at one of our long-term sponsors. Or if Max Gawn’s wife was a brand ambassador for a fashion project that was owned by the club. Geelong, the AFL and whoever conducted the ‘Investigation’ stink.