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Bombs away. Will players really walk out on Essendon?

14th September, 2014
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14th September, 2014
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Recent reports of the get-out clause for Essendon players sounds very concerning for Essendon, but will an really exodus occur?

Of all the sanctions and setbacks that have been thrown Essendon’s way throughout the drug scandal, this latest controversy might just prove to be the most costly.

Losing draft picks, being banned from the 2012 finals, fines and James Hird’s suspension have all had major ramifications on the past, present and future of the Essendon Football Club. But none of those sanctions have led to established stars and key players leaving.

Paddy Ryder and Jake Carlisle are two of the most important players for Essendon. Carlisle proved this season that he can be a gun forward, even if he does prefer to play in the backline. Ryder had a fantastic season and if he walks, Essendon would be left with a gaping hole in their forward and ruck divisions.

Carlisle is contracted until the end of the 2015 season, Ryder until the end of 2016. Both have played at Essendon their entire careers, are fan favourites and have at times single-handedly won games for Essendon.

So, how can they leave? A clause that has been around for years, but that was refined in the collective bargaining agreement agreed upon earlier this year. This clause gives players the right to exit clubs when they believe the club has breached its duty of care.

The refinement, which is important, means the player will become a ‘delisted free agent’, and can therefore go to a new club of his choice.

There is no question that Ryder would have a good case against Essendon and what they put their players through.

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Ryder’s situation is driven by the fact that Brisbane have a massive amount of money to spend and are willing to pay him more than any other club. The money has to be a major factor in why he wants out.

Ryder’s situation is much more advanced than that of Carlisle’s. Some are saying that Ryder just wants to cash in on his best season of footy, and that if he was so worried about Essendon failing their duty of care to him why didn’t he leave last season?

These are very valid points, and I’m not going to defend Ryder either way. What I will say though, is that Ryder was told during the ASADA investigation that the health of his unborn child could be impacted by what Essendon has supposedly given him. That would make anyone question their place of work, no matter how loyal you are.

If Ryder does leave it sets a very dangerous precent for Essendon. Will other players follow his lead? Surely any players who aren’t happy with what happened or how the club handled it and feel that they can get more money elsewhere will have to think about using the clause.

At the end of the day Essendon only have themselves to blame.

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