Comments on: Making the case against free agency. For now!

By: Redb

Redb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:59:41 +0000

Essendon basicially picked up 3 of its 4 picks from the Calder Cannons our local TAC Cup side, plus a West Australian kid.

Having a Long at the club is great.

Redb

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:05:55 +0000

Luke Ball has made it all the way through to Collingwood at pick 30.

The Bullies got the Ainslie boy, J. Tutt at 31.

Around there also, St Kilda got a certain N. Winmar, and Essendon got one of the Long family.

By: Matthew Stephen

Matthew Stephen — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:39:19 +0000

A player such as Luke Ball can put a price on his head in that case said to be $500000. Any club that is willing to match that level of payment can take him without argument from Ball. Essendon have said that they can pay him that so if Essendon call his name he must go. Other players such as Luke Ablett will just go where they are called and they settle of a wage. First year draftees are on a set salary I believe and then get match payments for each game they play on top of that. I think their base wage is around $55000.

By: Redb

Redb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:30:09 +0000

Some form of free agency is desirable.

By: JiMMM

JiMMM — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:25:44 +0000

Good luck to him challenging that rule.

My view is that it’s a competition rule, as long as there isn’t anything stopping him from going and playing in a different comp or a different sport, and the draft isn’t discriminatory then he shouldn’t win. Fair enough he only wants to play for Collingwood, but those are rules, whats next players challenging some of the rules of the sport.

for the record I am for free-agency (even if it is a limited form).

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:49:48 +0000

Lions have been mentioned.

In the W league there are a few QLD girls that play for MV. They train during the week with Brisbane Roar and then go and play for MV on the weekend. So perhaps Ball could stay in his house afterall

By: Kazama

Kazama — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:17:12 +0000

I heard that Foxtel are only showing the first round – after that they’ll run packages of the draftees while the draft continues on a ticker at the bottom of the screen. So if you want to follow it live I suggest you keep a radio nearby.

Disappointing that the draft is tonight and there is no article from any of The Roar staff covering it.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:50:17 +0000

The answer is yes and no.

In reality, it’s very rare for a club to pick a player in the draft (an experienced player I mean), with whom they have not talked.

That’s part of the process – they communicate beforehand and the clubs work out whether it’s worth it or not.

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:40:50 +0000

Does it matter? By my count there are 6 teams that could draft him and force him to move interstate, whether any of these clubs have speculated about Ball in the press is irrelevant.

He was the number two draft pick in the best draft ever, he’s forged a brilliant career and is a fantastic player and leader, what club wouldn’t want to snatch him up without having to give anything other than a draft pick in return?

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:23:51 +0000

Have they been mentioned in relation to Ball? I thought they had their sights set on some local youngsters.

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:13:48 +0000

Yes of course, he’ll take a helicopter to Perth every morning if the Weagles decide to draft him?

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:12:12 +0000

Fair enough Robbos – that too is a big night – it’s just not quite in the same league as the draft.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:11:04 +0000

What do you mean re-locate? He’ll stay in his house regardless of who he plays for!

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:09:46 +0000

That’s good – no commercials!!

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:08:16 +0000

One gets the feeling Ball is getting set to take on the AFL in the courts. Fair-play to him too, if he wants to play for Collingwood (although I can’t see why anyone in their right mind would) then why shouldn’t he if he fits in their cap? He is above all a human being, his chosen profession shouldn’t force him to relocate just because of some antiquated rules.

By: LT80

LT80 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:03:45 +0000

What happens if a player gets drafted by a club and they won’t offer him what he wants to get paid? Do they have to match an offer that he might have from another club?

By: Firestarter Bob

Firestarter Bob — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:46:21 +0000

Stop salivating. It’s not even on free to air tv.

By: Robbos

Robbos — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:42:35 +0000

The world cup draw in 1st week in December is the big night for me. I will be setting my alarm for that one.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:35:34 +0000

It’s a nationwide draft – kids all over Australian will be waiting to hear if their name has been called out – from the Southern tip of Tassie all the way to the Top End, from the NSW North Coast all the way across to the Kimberley, and everywhere in between – Australians will be watching every name called.

By: Firestarter Bob

Firestarter Bob — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:30:16 +0000

A reminder to all that one of the biggest nights on the Melbourne sporting calendar is on tonight.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:22:42 +0000

I think seven years is on the low side for the reasons you have stated. A return to the 10 year rule is the way to go. A player would be about 28 yo with 3 or 4 seasons left.

A reminder to all that one of the biggest nights on the Australian sporting calendar is on tonight – it’s not to be missed.