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.
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.
Aransan
Guest
I agree Ryder is going but I wouldn't doubt his sincerity. I doubt if Port will offer him much more than he was being paid at Essendon, but my understanding is that Paddy does want reasonable compensation for Essendon and accepts that pick 16 is short of the mark. No doubt a young player with potential will be needed to close the deal. I am not sure supporters of other Victorian clubs realise the extent of their baiting that Essendon players, their families and supporters have been put through over the last two seasons. I think this has impacted more on Paddy as he is a shy person and going interstate is an attractive option. No doubt family ties to Brisbane would have been attractive but they have sufficient ruck strength and obviously were just trying to get him for nothing.
mdso
Guest
I would think the Hawks would also be interested in Ryder now the finals are over. But Paddy said, he wanted to get out of Victoria to somewhere quieter but who knows as he has also said, they, he and his partner. wanted to move to Brissy to be nearer her family. All the time his pay cheque might be going up and up. Essendon are NOT going to give him away but if the club plays hard ball his coach said, they would use the lack of duty of care clause and he'll walk for zilch. So either way he's going. Its just a matter of sooner or later.
mdso
Guest
That's correct. Any AFL club using supplements. The AFL is an employer, players are employed by the AFL and then the clubs agree to pay them a certain amount of money and the contracts are approved of by the AFL. If 12 clubs that includes Essendon, all had programs going, that's two third of the competition, that is a very telling stat in itself, the AFL were simply not paying enough attention and checking on clubs. That's basically about a lack of governance. The AFL themselves said, "we could have stepped in sooner, we didn't so enough." No they didn't and why didn't they? Where was their duty of care to all the players, the oversee'ers were simply not overseeing.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
It's like the Hirdites live in a universe where ''Reidy has stopped everything, which is getting a little frustrating'' never happened.
mattyb
Guest
No need to say sorry.we are all well aware by now essendon think they are the league rather than a club,can do as they please,everyone elses fault.nothing wrong with james.
Radelaide
Guest
I agree, I don't think Port will try to match money more like they will offer hope that everything is great on and off the field. Potentially he could take a guilty plea and be back by rd 1 next year and just be able to concentrate on football, I guess we'll see but those certainly sound tempting for a couple but with my betting luck I should put money on the Hawks :) .
Aransan
Guest
Rad, Ryder's manager seems to have started a bidding war. Brisbane have reportedly offered $650k and Port would have to offer more as Brisbane is his preferred destination. What are you paying Wingard, Wines and Gray? Loyalty only goes so far when you import players on big contracts. Best of luck for Saturday, I thought $6.25 with the TAB were attractive odds for Port as a tri-bet. Make sure you capitalise on your premiership window before you have to start paying your young stars near their market values.
Radelaide
Guest
Polec was the last player who came over to the Port club rooms, guess how that turned out?
Aransan
Guest
Rad, you must be an incredible mind reader or have mastered telepathy. Can you give us the tattslotto numbers for next Saturday night? I think nearly all clubs would be glad to get Ryder if they could get him for next to nothing. Who would Port trade for him -- Wingard, Wines or Grey? I don't think Boak would be an equivalent talent.
Radelaide
Guest
Well mostly he wants out from all the drama of the supplements scandal and even though Brisbane is a non footbal state there is still off field drama there (Gabba and who's running the club) where as Port would be a good choice as there is only one mission there atm, Success.
checkside
Guest
Bobbo7. If the AFL had done that, this would have been all done and dusted. Everyone has had a gutful of it all and just wants to move on. Dank and Hird keep ducking and weaving with lawyers in tow. Its the players that "Coach" Bomber Thompson has always been concerned about. History will not be kind to the Essendon Football Club and all AFL supporters are fully aware of it and will remember - "what ever it takes."
Bobbo7
Guest
Spot on Slane. If this was my club I would be outraged and demanding Hird and the other managment be sacked and banned from AFL for like. EFC suporters seem to think that nothing is wrong.
checkside
Guest
You haters need to get a life….I hope your club is next because there is about 1 million EFC supporters waiting to sink the slipper into your club when it is. Who is a hater?
Mark
Guest
You sound just like the mum that phoned Eddie McGuire.
Mark
Guest
You mean the Gold Coast Suns that the AFL appointed Dank to for 6 months?
micka
Guest
Proof. Not baseless statement. You point me in the direction of the article/s and I will read.
Anthony Maguire
Roar Rookie
What are you, a wannabe Caro?
Casper
Guest
I thought the initial reason for Ryder wanting out is that he didn't want to live in a football city. What an ordinary person he has turned out to be.
Radelaide
Guest
I mentioned yesterday that Ryder was looking at Port and the comment got deleted and now this morning Caro releases an article stating that very thing....was my comment considered gossip or a secret not yet ready to be spilt? hence the deletion because I heard it on the radio.
joe b
Guest
You say she is not respected... in a really whiney way too, I might add.