With sixteen clubs attention now firmly fixed on the upcoming free agency, trade and draft windows, these are seven of the untold stories from the early days of the AFL off-season.
1. Mark Thompson coaching Gary Ablett
Since Gold Coast made the decision to conduct a full scale review of football operations, talk has moved to an experienced coach upending Guy McKenna as Gold Coast coach.
The popular and hot name has been Thompson. However that seems to be forgetting about the last season that Thompson and Ablett had together, where it was clear that their relationship had deteriorated to the point they were not speaking.
While they have apparently cleared the air over the years it is still a stretch to imagine Ablett endorsing Thompson. If Ablett does have the key say in who coaches the Suns next year, it will not be Thompson.
2. Hawthorn are going to need to rebuild
Not on-field of course as they are have as strong a list as there has been in the AFL, but there will be some off-field renovations.
With the highly regarded Luke Beveridge moving onto a new challenge and Brendon Bolton surely going landing a senior job after his stunning stint earlier in the year, the Hawks are going to need to rebuild their coaching and football department.
Along with the depth of talent on the park, it is the depth of talent that they have in the coaching box that has played a key role in their on-going success. Getting the right people in is going to be important for Hawthorn and a challenge they no doubt understand and are on the front foot with.
3. Restricted free agency is nothing to fear
A lot of talk has begun to grow of player’s moving clubs through free agency. However a number of the big names being talked about as moving in 2014 or in 2015 are restricted free agents.
Restricted free agents should be nothing to fear. Matching a contract should be considered a no-brainer for a talented footballer.
The general consensus will always be that the current club will match the playing fee, so why go through the effort of trying to lure a free agent.
Restricted free agency is really only going to be a tool for depth players to gain opportunities. Unrestricted free agency will be the only fear for clubs.
4. Mixed signals from the Saints
St Kilda have been adamant that they want to get three picks in the top 20 of the 2014 draft to help continue their rebuilding. So it’s surprising that the Saints are so openly shopping around the number one pick.
Unless of course given they have scouted the potential draftees more than most. This is a draft without the standout top picks but has really good depth across the top 25.
No doubt this seemingly generous offer by the Saints is only going to come to fruition if a club is able to provide them with two picks in the 10-20 range. Clearly that is where St Kilda believe the value is going to be in this year’s draft.
5. Trade target baggage
Mitch Clark was considered a saviour at Brisbane. Did not work out. Mitch Clark was considered a saviour at Melbourne. Did not work out.
Which club is really going to invest in a player that has serious and significant concerns and has not played a meaningful game of football in over 12 months?
He is in an age demographic that suggests his best football may be behind him. Similarly Heriter Lumumba appears a tough fit for young clubs that are rebuilding and may struggle to fit into the culture of some of the better performing clubs.
With these two being seen as two of the best bets in the trade period, it could be a major letdown as the weeks progress.
6. Adelaide need discipline
If there is one thing that came across from Patrick Dangerfield’s performance at the Brownlow Medal was that this was a player lacking discipline. It would be easy to say that this was simply an Aussie larrikin enjoying a night out, however it could be read that this is where Adelaide are currently struggling.
This appears to be a club that does not have the strive to be great. Over the past five seasons, with the exception of a preliminary final in 2012, this has been a team that seems to struggle to see improvement.
Maybe that lack of improvement can be put down to a lack of discipline and a lack of desire to be the best that they can be.
It is a tough ask for a new coach coming in, but really the appointment of Leigh Tudor could be an outstanding one given his success previously and an apparent real appetite for discipline and getting the most out of players.
7. Deals still on the table
It remains ridiculous that ASADA can want to make deals with Essendon players. While there is no doubt the AFL is mindful of losing three quarters of a list in one swoop, every action has a reaction and the ongoing actions of Essendon meant the reaction should be stern from ASADA.
Players have not wanted to deal until now and there is a list of athletes all around the world that have not been afforded the luxuries that Essendon players seem likely to receive.
Ignorance is not acceptable and that should be the tough line stance that ASADA takes given Essendon’s performance over the past two years.
Two-year bans with no backdating. Make the punishment fit the crime. This was a team that tried to systematically cheat the system and they should conversely be taught the age old adage that cheats will never prosper.
Thomas
Guest
The Eagles are a better comparison concession wise. Dixon, May, Smith, Nicholls, Gorringe, Ablett and assorted fringe mids - massively significant absences no doubt. McKenna's a decent development coach with a few screws loose - after Harbrow-gate he's probably just having his head pulled in. You cannot go around alienating senior players and not expect a few questions to be asked. If it's more than a simple head realignment, the Suns could probably do much worse than to have a chat with Bomber.
Don Freo
Guest
Bomber treated this whole season as a joke. I can tell you, if you want humour, Guy McK is a very humorous man. Bomber is over the idea of coaching and won't do it again. McKenna has been brilliant. Brissy, Freo and Adelaide took way more than 5 years to become contenders and McKenna has done that already with a team of kids. It would disgust me to take success from him just when he is about to reap the rewards of 6 years of hard work. He has 10 years of success in front of him. Look at the injury list that saw them fall out of the top 8. Much more than Ablett...and much more than Hawthorn whose injury list everyone seems to think is pertinent.
Thomas
Guest
If the Suns sign Bomber I'll be upgrading my membership.
Aransan
Guest
That appears to be the belief of the AFLPA and they have seen the evidence.
Don Freo
Guest
That's right. No finding of any wrong doing...simply, "Carry on with proceedings." Prediction? Nothing will be found and ASADA and AFL will end up carrying all legal costs from here on in. Keep fighting Dons!
Aransan
Guest
Well it wasn't pleasant for Hird and that Essendon should follow the process with ASADA and the AFL. I believe the admissions that Hird made to the court means that he is stuffed unless he appeals and wins.
Don Freo
Guest
I'm with you, Trent. It will happen that way too. Total exoneration. The only sticking point will be the AFL will have to account for unjustified suspensions and sanctions. ASADA will probably replace another CEO before they find enough evidence. They need a J Edgar Hoover type who could manufacture it.
Don Freo
Guest
Hird for Adelaide?
Don Freo
Guest
What do you think that court ruling actually ruled, Aransan?
Don Freo
Guest
Regarding the Saints trading #1 draft pick...makes sense to me. Trade #1 for, say, #6 and #11 plus keep their #19 and they would do well. Rarely does #1 draft pick end up having the best career of the top 20 draftees. They could even trade #19 for, say, # 28 and #35 and probably come out ahead. Nat Fyfe went at #20.
Don Freo
Guest
Does anyone really believe Brendon Bolton proved anything, other than that he is a delightful bloke? Clubs that might sack McKenna or McCartney and have sacked Sanderson are going to be certain of one thing: Don't select someone who is as young as the players are and has not played at the level they have. That would be a recipe for white-anting. Bolton coached with the referred authority of Clarko and the guiding hand of Brett Ratten. My tip is Ratten for Adelaide (and I'll bet they wished, already, that they had kept Sando).
Don Freo
Guest
Guy McKenna is now experienced...he'd be a good fit for Gold Coast.
Me Too
Guest
I would suggest you are making it up as you go. The Swans didn't sign Franklin knowing COLA would be removed. It was removed after they signed him. To say the Hawks offered more in the first few years is misleading in the extreme. The swans offered 10 million on a nine year contract, knowing full well the odds of Buddy playing to that age are minimal. The Hawks couldn't match that offer. Not even close to it. No one would or could. Secondly the Swans did determine how they managed COLA, and in their desperate bid to get it reinstated in some form even offered for the AFL to control it - in other words so it would be used as it was supposedly originally intended - to reduce burden on lesser paid players. Here,s a link from a Swans players perspective - just to be fair. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/swans-cocaptain-kieren-jack-says-cost-of-living-allowance-scrapped-because-club-took-risk/story-fni5fan7-1226845923350 And to the point of my post - restricted free agency is indeed a worry for clubs.
Rick200
Roar Rookie
Still hasn't signed his contract and won't until everything is to his satisfaction.
Trent
Guest
oh look, another campaigner. Here's a thought, ...asada only want to make a deal because their evidence doesn't stack up. That isn't too cerebral for you, is it? Geez.
Aransan
Guest
ASADA don't make the punishments, the AFL does. Any significant further punishment for Essendon or its players will finish the club for a generation and that would please a number of supporters of other clubs until they realise the consequences. What you are suggesting is the equivalent of booting Essendon out of the competition or putting Essendon in the position where the only sensible option is to hand their licence back to the AFL. That will be a great boon for rugby league. Essendon should accept the recent court ruling and get rid of Hird which should have been done last year.
mindquad
Roar Rookie
Love your comment re: Ablett 'having a say' about the coach. Let's be honest, no one will be coaching the Gold Coast who Gary hasn't firstly approved...
Rick200
Roar Rookie
As long as Clarkson is head coach the Hawks have nothing to worry about. AFL Clubs are starting to embrace free agency Saints should stick with Richardson and rejuvenate with young talent Depression is curable. Mitch needs Football Adealaide Football Club is a mess Essendon players should focus on themselves not Hird & Little Bomber loves Gazza
Jim
Guest
The Swans offered less money than hawthorn in the first several years of Buddy's contract Me Too - that would suggest your veiled COLA swipe is well off the mark..... The Swans didn't use COLA to get Buddy - they used a long term contract, taking a huge risk over his ability to contribute late on in the contract to get Buddy. COLA doesn't equal 10% extra cap to spend as one pleases, despite what Eddie and his band of crybabies would like you to think.
Me Too
Guest
On Restricted Free Agents - Buddy Franklin. Your argument ignores the reality that different clubs have different salary cap limitations in any given year. Some due to improving players demanding a healthier new contract, others due to deliberate manipulation by the AFL to advantage that club over others.