Lucifers Hero

That was my wording based on what was implied in the press release. May have misinterpreted it. An earlier report suggests it would be as 'Director of Football'. Other clubs that have a similar role are: North (Archer), Carlton (Judd), GWS (Bartell) and their may be others. From what I can tell about their roles they generally work with the GM Football on stuff.

Thought this is a good place to summarize the composition of our Board and some of their roles.

An additional thought on our tight sal cap especially as it relates to TMac. He would be on a contract where he is paid whether he plays on not. A number of our 'lesser' players (and draftees) are on contracts that include payments per match played. So if TMac doesn't play his replacement could cost us double. I would guess this also applies to Tomlinson, Jones, Jetta, AvB and maybe a few others. They can all hurt the sal cap if they don't play. Of course players and their managers love these contracts but it means the club carries the risk.

It was reported at the time Tomlinson's contract was about $500k pa. For the giants to get a 2nd round FA comp pick our package had to be well above average. Given the AFL average was about $380k pa it is reasonable to think Tomlinson would be on at least the mid $400's.

We are paying two defenders (May/Lever) about 11-12% of our salary cap; one who is earning his keep and one who isn't. Add TMac and our salary profile is skewed. All 3 have at least 2 years on their contracts so our salary cap is burdened for a few more years. We also need to re-sign Salem, Oliver, Brayshaw, Weideman, Gawn in the next year or two so we need to keep space in the sal cap for them. And we have some expensive players who probably aren't best 22 eg Tomlinson couldn't hold down the job he was brought in to do, was dropped, came back in defence and may be out of the team again when Petty comes back. Even if Tomlinson stays in the team it is clear we have a disproportionate amount of the sal cap invested in the backline. If Brown wants 3/4 years and we don't move out TMac, they and Lever and May will take up about 20% of our salary cap for at least 2 more years. We are trading players out and will delist some but they are fringe players so probably don't give us enough sal cap space for Brown and others. In a nutshell we have too much of our sal cap invested in too few players some of whom are nowhere near our best players/earning their packages.

He said the same thing when selecting Shaw. The selection process looked like they tried to get a favourite son and a few phone calls to others. If they have already selected the next coach one wonders what their Board is doing...or maybe another favourite son is making 'captain calls' again.

Haven't seen that in the pre draft briefs I've read but he could be.

Gil McLachlan connects Shaw to mental health mclachlan-addresses-shaws-situation-and-clarksons-concern/

Why would we want another medium sized midfielder who hunts the ball? As it is we are playing Harmes and Brayshaw out of position and we have others waiting in the wings: Sparrow, Jordan etc. Have we not learnt our lesson yet

We can back ourselves in to turn him around in 2021 like Sydney/Papley and Port/Wines did this year.

Agreed which is why I don't get people thinking #23 is 'overs'.

This one: Spine tingling! Still brings happy tears. Up there with the Watts QB goal for unbridled joy and emotion. Sad to see him go.

I wonder if too much is being made of his injury. Unless North were telling porkies nearly 2 months ago, reports suggest the knee injury wasn't serious: “Ben had an MRI yesterday and was cleared of any ligament damage,” Rawlings said. “He sustained pinching of the lateral knee joint and reported pain and discomfort, but both have subsided." August 7 Report He then had surgery. Detailed report in here: Sept 2 Report This time last year he would be a mid 1st round pick. Not sure the injury downgrades his trade value much lower than #23. Also there may be 'steak knives''/later pick swaps involved.

Nothing in it: Just someone on BF trying to distract posters from the bombshells SOS dropped yesterday.

SEN saying he might stay (not sure how we do that and take Brown). GWS showing new interest in TMac with Cameron's departure. Edit: would be interesting to see how a Preuss/TMac trade could be leveraged to off load all TMac's salary and take a more moderate draft pick in return for the two.

SEN saying he had a medical at the club yesterday. North will ask for our 2nd rnd pick: # 23 But he hasn't said he wants to join us.

The answer lies here: Hogan has a clause that triggers a two-year extension, with a bigger salary, should he play about 45 AFL games during his initial 2019-2021 contract. hogan-s-afl-future-hanging-by-a-thread He has played so few games so far that unless Freo make the finals he can't reach the triggers. The Covid breach seems to be the last straw and they will move him this year if they can.

SEN reporting he is going to the Saints. Some discussion elsewhere that Geelong withdrew their interest after Cameron chose the Cats.

The rules say they should be included in the TPP (unless for approved and declared 'marquee' payments) as it is a form of cheating the salary cap. MFCSS says if we did it, some disgruntled ex-player, ex-official would 'sing' and we would be fined for 'not doing something everyone else does' ala fine for 'not tanking'.

? I was going to 'Like' your post until I saw the last bit.. It would be like an ? for me.

Not saying this about Geelong but there are lots of ways friends of a club can give players benefits: jobs for family members, paid education, free use of sporting/holiday facilities, post footy career jobs, discounts on any number of purchases and services etc etc. All on a handshake of course. Technically they should be caught in the sal cap as '3rd party payments' but not sure if the AFL police them anymore. Suspect clubs would be very good to ensure there is no audit trail.

If GWS force a trade Geelong can use two first round picks and effectively get him 'cheaply'. Geelong have picks 11, 13 and 18/19. They can give 11 and 13 to GWS (which they got on the back Tim Kelly (a 2018 2nd rnd pick #24)). See below. Very astute trading. They were preparing their war chest for 2020 FA's with a few targets in mind (Viney, Crouch and Cameron) so if forced to trade they had the currency. ...The pick swap with GCS was borderline legal but the AFL ok'd it. If they use 11 and 13 it will be 3 players (Cameron, Stephens, Evans) for the original price of Kelly +/- steak knives. They will do even better if they don't use both picks in a Cameron trade. I hope GWS (and Adelaide if Geelong go for Crouch) force trades to soak up those 3 first round draft picks.

Thanks for thoughtful response. Tbh my comment last week was a bit of a throw away line so I was a bit surprised by the pile on. Thought it would derail the thread if I responded so chose not to. Yes, I'm pessimistic at the moment and hope this trade/draft period and Pert's review change that. iirc Coll 1st round 2018 pick was in the high teens having been GF and 2019 pick expected to be similar. Without looking at 'points' our pick 6 was valued very highly by GCS. But I prefer to no to rehash the various trades. Can I leave it by saying I understand where you are coming from and I'm glad people are optimistic. I desperately want you all to be right.

Agreed. So many things go into a decision to change clubs and often $$$ isn't the reason. We could add success, facilities, club strength to the criteria you mention. I just feel that we don't rank highly in the intangibles so have to pay a higher price ($ or picks), which may not be the case. I guess I'm just jealous of big and successful clubs.

Fair enough. Thank you for responding reasonably. I happen to think we aren't a destination club and won't be until we become a 'big' club and start regularly winning finals.