Bonus bid for battler states
GREATER Western Sydney has called for the reinstatement of “six-figure” ambassador payments in footy’s struggling expansion states.
Giants boss Dave Matthews said it would make “complete sense” for the AFL to pay Gold Coast free agent Tom Lynch “significant” promotional money outside the salary cap.
“A player like Lynch will make decisions for personal reasons but nobody should shy away from the fact that a player of that quality and profile should be entitled to a significant ambassador’s payment,” Matthews said.
“I don’t see it as retention money – I see it as an absolutely appropriate investment from the AFL into places where we are so far behind our competitors.
“I see what Lance Franklin has done for the game up here – he’s a bona fide star in Sydney – and I see the potential in people like Jeremy Cameron and Josh Kelly.
“It’s very, very important that some of the stars of the AFL competition are recognised and promoted in NSW and Queensland.”
The AFL has indicated Lynch will be able to access as little as $50,000 in ambassador money if he stays at the Suns.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire yesterday declared he would not support increased ambassador payments.