There’s a million and one elements that make the AFL’s annual trade period so seductive yet incredibly frustrating.
The thrill of who’ll be traded and where and for what price make for compulsive viewing, even if from a terribly long distance. The stalled talks and posturing I could gladly do without.
I’ll take an item from the latter category which has really got my goat in recent weeks. That being Stewart Crameri’s purported move from Essendon to the Western Bulldogs.
Here’s what we know. Crameri wants to play next season for the Bulldogs. He’s uncontracted at Essendon with the Dogs apparently putting a $1.8 million offer on the table over four years in addition to compensating the Bombers (who’ve as present no participation in this year’s draft) with an early second round pick.
Call me crazy but I don’t see what the posturing is about on Essendon’s side?
The drugs scandal which engulfed the AFL this season and which in turn punished the Bombers heavily and disgraced the AFL’s integrity taught us a couple of things.
The main lesson was that Essendon were conducting their business in cavalier fashion, displaying scant respect for anybody in the game and were consequently severely and adequately punished.
I’d hate to think Essendon have learnt nothing from the affair.
From afar it seems the Bombers are of the view they can still fleece their opposition and conduct their business with the utmost arrogance.
Essendon perhaps need to be reminded, surely they have, that Crameri can leave Windy Hill for nothing. That the Bulldogs needn’t give them anything, let alone the more than generous second round pick the Dogs have offered.
I can understand Essendon desperately trying to get themselves back into the draft yet I’m surprised to see them running the risk from alienating a trade partner who could easily take their offer off the table and recruit Crameri via the pre-season draft.
I don’t expect trades to be conducted in cozy environment with handshakes and chocolates readily exchanged but it’s surely not so much to expect a degree of decorum and reality- Two things Essendon could do with a hefty dollop of.
Richard
Roar Guru
Go Bombers!
Thank Goddard
Guest
he is a villian? Seriously?
Macca
Guest
Dave I have heard of them, just didn't realise Essendon were the only club who had.
Dave
Guest
Macca its called the vfl and wafl etc. Good recruiters are plugging players out of all sorts of age. There is also a new thing called free agency. Not sure if u have heard of them before!
Macca
Guest
Dave as I said it won't hurt you as much immediately but in 3-4 years when your better players now are getting towards retirement you won't have the 22 year old coming through to replace them,
Macca
Guest
Aidan - I mentioned above Hille wasn't in your best 22, but he does provide good depth, Lovett-Murray didn't play a lot but was stabbed which took him out for a while and again adds depth and others on this site say Crameri is worth more than pick 22 becuase he has been your leading goal kicker for 3 years running - either losing him will weaken your team or he isn't worth what Essendon want for him you can't have it both ways. And even if losing those players doesn't make you worse it also doesn't make you better - Other top 8 sides are adding quality players to their list and have better draft picks - they will improve.
Macca
Guest
Garvo - "it takes more than a weak heartbeat to succeed in the AFL" What like a experimental pharmacological regime? "not sure if any club would want to give up their leading goal kicker for three years straight for pick 30" No they wouldn't want ot but when faced with losing him for nothing they should.
Macca
Guest
Sorry I didn't make it clear but the difference still stands - the Pies delisted him so he was fair game for everyone.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
2 years suspension same a every other sport, it's looking likely it will happen as well.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
I like most footy fans have followed this story closely, Hird was aware of what was happening and pushing the agenda. He is a villain that will win at any cost, I've been involved with sport at an elite level and met a few like him, it's bad for sports when that type of attitude prevails, just ask Cycling about Lance.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Lol, meow.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
J-mac was all but signed with Richmond and nominated them as his club of choice, but Port said pack your bags mate, we're selecting you, he wasn't just training at the Tigers
mick
Guest
Ronny
Roar Rookie
Where are the ASADA bans everyone says Essendon will get ?, what the hell is going on.
Garvo
Guest
"If I was a player and could get out I would in a heartbeat." - That's right you are not a player because it takes more than a weak heartbeat to succeed in the AFL. Three things about the Crameri situation that are being over looked - 1) Essendon still holds out some hope of persuading him to stay and now Thompson is in the chair expect him to speak to him soon then make the call. 2) The pick 22 that the Bulldogs are offering is likely to slip down to about 30 after the league makes all of its adjustments - not sure if any club would want to give up their leading goal kicker for three years straight for pick 30. 3) Bulldogs might end up haveing to give up their first round pick to make sure they get him if he went into the draft and are trying to pick him up on the cheap thinking Essendon have no choice
aidan
Guest
you do realise hille played under 3 games this year, and lovett-murray barely played any either. plus crameri was injured for alot of games. if you actually think we get worse losing them youre insane
Slane
Guest
You didn't say anything about clubs not getting trades done. You said being picked up by a team other than the one you were hoping for doesn't happen in the pre-season draft. I pointed to an instance of this happening. Sure, McCarthy was de-listed by the Pies as opposed to Crameri de-listing himself, but I reckon the point still stands. Sometimes players with value get jagged by the team they weren't expecting.
Vlado
Guest
Franklin is a free agent as reward for his years of service to Hawthorn. Crameri was picked up as a mature age rookie and developed by Essendon after being overlooked for years. He is not a free agent, so is not free to walk to whomever he chooses. He is free to go into the draft if he wishes, with the risks that entails. No doubt Hawthorn screwed there, as St.Kilda were when Goddard walked last year, and others will be in years to come. Ditto Thomas, although pick 11 for him is less of a crime. Interesting to see St.Kilda contemplating their options of either a compensation pick or a trade for Das Santo, depending on what works better for them. Crameri is miles ahead of Hampson who could barely get a game at Carlton, a team that was not capable of winning enough games to get in the top 8. I think Richmond won out of that deal. Crameri would be in the first 2 picked in Essendons forward line each week, and will be first picked for the Bulldogs forward line- entirely different proposition Examples like Nick Stevens and others show the risk of running the draft gauntlet. Most people get through, but the ones who dont may pay a hefty price for the gamble. Nothing to stop them doing it, but equally they need to decide whether to take the risk. It is important for clubs to take a stand to show they will not be held over a barrel so that they accept poor deals
Dave
Guest
The bombers don't really need the draft as much as people think. Their recruitment staff have plugged players from the vfl and wafl in the last couple of seasons that are already getting mentioned as all australian player like Hibberd. The others look like playing 200 games like Hooker, Howlett,hardingham, Kommer and Bagulyey. The reason it hurt Carlton so much is there club was already at rock bottom when they got penalised then they made some shocking recruitment decisions after that which is what sent them backwards for tens years. Can't wait to watch there so rebuild next year at least they should start getting some good draft picks coming up.
Australian Rules
Guest
Exactly. Hawthorn have shown they're the masters at it. Why? Because they *compromise* and focus on exactly what they *need*... and then go about getting it. Negotiating, in any context, is about the 2 parties achieving a win/win. The Bombers seem to posture and flex and huff...until the deal falls apart. McEvoy is a very good pick up for the Hawks.