Huge Scully contract a big risk for GWS

You’d be hard pressed to find somebody who doesn’t think Tom Scully is one of the best prospects in the AFL. At the same time, many have ignored his injury problems that have already plagued his short career.

After missing the first nine games of the 2011 season, he came back into the Melbourne midfield, and with him came the spark that had been missing from the inconsistent Demons.

With the debate continuing to rage over the colours that Scully will wear in 2012, one key fact has been ignored: could a move north be bad for the 2009 top draft choice?

It’s going to be near impossible for him to turn down what is rumoured to be worth $6 million over five years, but that is going to be as good as it gets.

As the Giants develop as a club so to will their top draft picks who will start commanding similar salaries to Scully’s, which means only one thing can happen.

If Scully is a Giant this time next year he is going to be on the most that he will ever earn, and more than likely, his next contract will not be worth nearly as much.

At the moment Scully is just a player with potential.

Under no reasonable assumption can he be worth a million a year after just 26 games of football.

He might be the next Judd and Ablett cross as was touted in April, he has the future captain look about him, and certainly the playing style to lead his team to several premierships.

But what about the knee problems?

Scully knows how easily the injury can flare up but it seems that Sheedy is willing to ignore that and take the risk.

If he does move north the pocket dynamo can set himself up for life, but will be moving into an area where the opportunity to spread the number 31 brand will diminish rapidly.

Melbourne are reportedly offering $3 million over five years, which despite being significantly lower than the opposing offer, gives him a better chance at success.

Staying in Melbourne comes with a higher likelihood of success before the knee plays up again, greater media exposure, more recognition for his talents, and the opportunity to be the finest one club player of this generation.

Speaking in March at a press conference Scully made the appeal of that clear.

“I’d love to end my career and say that I was a one-club player and I anticipate that’ll be the case. The Melbourne footy club has given me a great opportunity and I’m very thankful that I’m in the position that I am.”

While this isn’t a legally binding contract, it is enough to give a few Demons fans the slightest hope that Scully will make the right choice.

Should he leave then this will come back to bite him and the backlash he’ll face for it won’t be fair given the position he’s finding himself in.

Given Sheedy’s illustrious career in the game it seems obvious to say that he knows there are no certainties in the game, yet this time it seems to be different.

What good is Scully going to be in a few years at GWS when they are finding themselves in a similar position to Melbourne and Richmond this season?

Is that going to be as great as his value at Melbourne in the same few years time when they are performing like Carlton have begun to this season?

Only time will tell, and Tom Scully is going to do what he thinks is best for his long-term future.

Money talks in sport, yet Tom Scully is giving the impression that he isn’t entirely willing to listen.