THE GOOD, GREAT, BAD & THE UGLY
Clubs can be high-fiving or kicking themselves about player deals. Get it right, and the ultimate can be achieved
AWHIFF of desperation, and expansion outfits trying valiantly to fend off raids by the heartland clubs. Those two separate themes are both writ large across the list of the most challenging contracts across the Herald Sun’s Rich 100 List.
If the toughest jobs in football are the match review boss and those who govern the league’s rules, being in charge of an expansion list might also be on the podium.
It is why Gold Coast’s Craig Cameron and Greater ater Western Sydney football boss Jason McCartney at times have to make impossible decisions on overpaying paying to keep players and bring ring in others on inflated wages. es.
It is why Jack Lukosius sius is on more than an $600,000 in 2022 - because from the day y he was drafted, Adel- aide clubs attempted d to prise him out of the e Gold Coast.
At GWS, the Giants s could match a Carlton on bid on Stephen Coniglio lio at nearly $1 million a year or lose a man they believed ieved to be their future captain ain and a critical part of selling ing their message in western Sydney. ydney.
Down the Princes s Highway at Geelong, the Cats’ culture ture of success and perfect work-life balance mean they can secure star players for around $600,000 a season.
Consider the output of dual bestand-fairest winner Mark Blicavs and Lukosius, despite their similar salaries, and it tells you everything about the two-speed economy of the AFL. As for that whiff of desperation? Clubs will always believe they can turn a player into something they have not been, or even ignore their worst tendencies when they become available.
North Melbourne thought Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec could be a more robust and hardworking player when it signed him.
After a strong first season (509 disposals, 16 goals), then 13 games in 2020, he has played only seven games in the two seasons since, given form and injury issues. The situation at Carlton has been similar with Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams.
The Blues were so thrilled McGovern McGov was prepared to consider them, they signed him on a five-year deal that expires next year. McGovern’s contract ends in the nick of time for the Blues to use that cap space on Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow’s free-agency deals.
GWS defender Williams had been capable of stints in the midfield, including a brilliant finals series in 2019. But his durability issues have meant he is what the Giants believed
he was - a very capable but injuryprone half-back flanker.
The Giants made the right call in deciding against matching a bid for Williams.
But the Blues still hope he can be part of their premiership window if his body issues can be sorted out.
REGRETTABLE CONTRACTS Jared Polec (Port Adelaide)
IT IS not Polec’s fault that the Roos signed him up on a five-year deal worth around $3.5m. The left-footer remains contracted until the end of 2023, despite being demoted to the rookie list. The Roos believed he was the icing on the cake, but quickly dropped from finals contention, and their game plan does not suit his run-and-gun style.
Rory Lobb (Fremantle)
LOBB has always been exceptionally well paid, after Greater Western Sydney was seduced by one exceptional year, and then Fremantle handed him a king’s ransom to head back to Perth. This year has been the best of his AFL career, but he is due $750,000 this season and next, with a long-term deal at the Western Bulldogs likely to balance out the $750,000 he is owed next year.
Bradley Hill (St Kilda)
THE Saints believed Hill would be the king of the Marvel Stadium wing, capping off a list close to premiership contention.
He has had a solid season – above-average disposals, elite pressure – but his price tag is the kind that requires match-changing performances.
Zac Williams (Carlton)
WILLIAMS’ free-agency status meant clubs, including the Kangas, were desperate for his services.
And if he had been able to sustain his rampaging form off half-back, he might have been worth the price of nearly $800,000.
Still, he has four more years to prove himself.
Rory Atkins (Gold Coast)
TH THE Suns were desperate fo for some experience and c classy ball use, so they signed s Adelaide utility A Atkins on a four-year d deal of around $400,000 a season.
It’s not huge money, but bu he has failed to inspire so far, this year ranking poo poor for disposals, contested possessions, kicking efficiency, efficien scoreboard impact and pressure. press
Mitch McGovern (Carlton)
McGOVERN’S McGOVER first three years at Carlton on a deal of nearly $800,000 a season were disappointing as he battled for impact and wasn’t always in elite shape.
This year hamstring issues have curtailed his output, but he has shown huge potential when thrown into the intercepting role his brother Jeremy has mastered at West Coast.
The contract has been overpriced, but he could still feature in a deep finals run in coming seasons.
BARGAIN CONTRACTS Tom Stewart (Geelong)
THE star Cat is the best backman in the league and yet, like so many other Geelong players, he takes less to help keep the list together and live a relatively stress-free lifestyle down the Princes Highway.
When you consider Jeremy McGovern has been on a long-term deal of $1.2m a season, and Stewart plays for between $600,000 to $700,000, you realise the Cats have got something special going on.
Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
TOM Hawkins is 34, but still could be taking part in the kind of drawnout contract negotiations that Taylor Walker and Lance Franklin have found themselves part of this year.
Instead, the no-fuss forward, who has been All-Australian in the past three years, accepts unders for the same reason as Stewart.
Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
WHEN the Tigers handed Vlastuin a five-year deal in 2021, they knew he wasn’t going anywhere - and so did he. He accepted the long-term deal for security and is still well-paid, between $600,000-$700,000 a year.
But it’s far, far less than he would command on the open market.
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
THERE is no doubt the Pies captain has been extremely well paid throughout his career, but his current deal emphasises tenure – two seasons – over cash.
Pendlebury is in the $500,000$600,000 range when his output is still of the highest order, allowing the Pies the cap space to chase free agents such as Dan McStay.
Shai Bolton (Richmond)
BOLTON is paid just over $600,000 in 2022, still extremely good money, but he is putting in a million-dollar type season. His next contract past 2023 will likely reflect that output, but while Dustin Martin is sidelined, the brilliant Bolton is impressively picking up the slack.
Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
BOAK has shown extreme loyalty throughout his career, and at 34 he’s still doing it, on a contract that is closer to $500,000 than $600,000.
In his 16th season, he will end his career as a beloved Power champ.