The Adelaide Crows are readying a war chest in an effort to retain star midfielder, Patrick Dangerfield.
‘Danger’ has yet to make his mind up about his future, with some labelling the Round 23 match between the Crows and Cats as ‘The Dangerfield Cup’.
Both clubs are set to go head-to-head in the post-season to secure the signature of the year’s biggest free agent.
Last year, the Melbourne Demons offered picks two and three for Dangerfield, and Adelaide flatly refused, although there was one dissenting voice who thought it viable to ‘get what they can for him’, but the majority stood firm and Dangerfield stayed.
Geelong on the other hand believes that by front-ending a five-year deal they can blow the Crows out of the water. That is a big mistake.
The ‘no one gets more than Joel Selwood’ rule is another mistake. Selwood is paid somewhere between $650,000 and $775,000. They would have to pay significantly more than that just to get a look in at Dangerfield, and given every player has bought into that rule, it makes it difficult to see how they could go after Dangerfield.
Heading into post-season negotiation, Dangerfield knows this will likely be the biggest payday of his AFL career.
As a ‘restricted’ free agent Adelaide can match any offer for Dangerfield and make a stand against something that all 18 clubs despise – a free agency rule that returns very little for an investment that takes a great deal of time and money.
It is important to remember though that no club has chosen to forcibly retain a player by matching an offer for a restricted free agent.
But it is no secret how angry the Crows have been in losing four key players in the last five years. The losses of Nathan Bock (Gold Coast), Phil Davis (GWS), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) and Kurt Tippett (Sydney) have stymied Adelaide’s progress and that adds fuel to a raging fire that is hell bent on keeping Dangerfield.
Patrick loves the Adelaide football club, he loves the thought of being a one club player, and the leadership he has shown since the Phil Walsh tragedy has been noticed by fans, commentators and clubs alike.
And on the field he has shone.
But there is one thing that drives him more than anything else; he, like all AFL players, craves a premiership medal.
This, as much as money, will weigh on his mind at season’s end. He needs to decide where he is most likely to win one.
A team on the rise with a young talented list, or an ageing team who need to rebuild before going around again – this is the contrasting futures on offer at the Crows and the Cats.
Only one other club could possibly offer a contract over $1 million and thats Collingwood – a team which is openly chasing some of the AFL’s other out-of-contract young guns.
They have quietly been watching from a distance but could be the wild card in the pack.
Dude
Guest
Will who are the blokes who end up with egg on their face? People like you my friend. Turns out you ignored the biggest factor in his decision, family.
Jonathan
Guest
Edgar you clearly don't know much about Geelong. Geelong has been quietly 'rebuilding' it's list since 2012 and has blooded numerous young players since 2011. Duncan, Menzel, Vardy, Caddy, Motlop, Guthrie, Blicavs, Murdoch, Cowan, Stanley and more recently Kolodjashnij, Cockatoo and Gregson to name a few. All young guns. A lot to like and still to learn from the likes of Selwood and Bartel in the midfield, Taylor and Enright in the backline, and Hawkins and Clark in the forward line. Dangerfield has a good reason to go to Geelong. He grew up in the region, his family is there and he probably barracked for them as a kid. Professional football is a job so you have to be realistic about it, people jump ship all the time in most industries especially when the most important things are involved (i.e. family). My two cents.
Matt
Guest
I agree with you. He hasn't signed on the dotted line because he will wait to see what geelong can offer which predicted won't be more than what the crows can offer. I believe the crows are probably pushing dangerfield to sign a longer term contract as well which is why dangerfield has not made a decision as yet and has become a stalemate. So I think there is about a 60% chance he will remain a crow for 2years until he becomes a unrestricted player. And as much as I like Dangerfield, if the crows were able to gain geelongs 1st round pick and jack redden (brisbane) in a 3way deal I would take that as a great deal. One player does not win a premiership and by the crows being too dangerfield complacent could hurt the crows just as much. But hey if dangerfield is willing to sign a 4 year deal with the crows i would say stick with dangerfield. With Cam-ellis yolmen and Brad Crouch to be a big part of the crows mid-field in the future. It would not be a damaging loss, and probably a bonus if they got Jack Redden and a 1st round pick from geelong. I guess we will all find out over the next few weeks.
JRF
Guest
If Adelaide stopped recruiting players from Victoria they would not have this problem. They should never have selected Dangerfield, he is a Geelong person and should have allowed him to be selected by Geelong with their first pick.
Steve
Guest
You forget Money does matter as the crows will match any deal (do for a minute think they wont because they will). With the fact that they look to be getting Selwood from WCE and Henderson from the Blues it is unlikely that they will be able to get enough cash to fight off the crows. That means going to the trade table and the Cats have nothing to match the value of Danger. It's more than likely he will sign for 2 years and look to leave as a unrestricted free agent. He also gets to see where the Crows (up) and Cats (down) are heading.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Not necessarily, if he names his price then only the clubs willing to pay that amount can pick him up
Wilson
Roar Guru
So in theory if he get a offer from Geelong and Crows Match it. Then he can reject the deal and go into the Draft? and picked up by Carlton with there first Pick.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Edgar - I'm only going on what I heard last year on AFL 360 with regards to next years crop of youngsters. It was mooted that there are very few key-position players coming through the next few years, with some potential star midfielders coming through. These comments were made when GWS was trying to trade Boyd and used this info as leverage outlining that there was not much on the horizon when it comes to key position forwards anyway. As I said, I haven't seen the data myself, but this suggests Danger could be offset somewhat with some early draft picks.
Kez
Guest
Only a month ago his manager stated that he will either stay in Adelaide or move to Geelong for family reasons. There is no other teams he is considering. To me that makes it pretty black and white as to what he is considering. personally I think Geelong is closer to a premiership than the Crows. They have been building for the future for a number of years and the older guys are being less and less relied upon.
David
Guest
You can't and won't "force" anyone to stay. That's so naïve and one eyed.
David
Guest
Midfield friendly???? Key position more likely.
Tee
Guest
Geelong will push for another flag before the crows, The cats young list is very very good and with the inclusion of Dangerfield will make them a real gf chance
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Rick you should have thrown a graph in there so Ryan could understand. The draft is very shallow this year. A few key position players and outside midfielders. After pick 12 theres not much. Clubs will need their best people to identify rough diamonds. 22-24 year olds have their best shot at a chance to shine at the best level. If Adelaide lose Dangerfield and are given around pick 14 as compensation then thats a poor result As for his manager. He is trying to get the best deal for his client. Thats what bottom feeders do
Ryan Buckland
Expert
What are you talking about?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
"hideous rule that only benefits the stronger clubs" I'd classify the Crows as one of the stronger clubs. They basically have an entire state backing them, so in the long-term, free-agency should benefit them. I don't buy the notion they have fallen foul by losing the players you have mentioned either. Tippet was lost most likely due to COLA (which is gone), with two of the others going to the expansion teams. Lets see how free-agency pans out once all these other variables have settled. "If the crows demand at least the first 2 picks in this years draft then is that adequate?" As you said, it all depends on what the draft quality is like this year. I'm not up to speed on it personally, but Champion Data rate it each year, and from last years report, it appears to be midfield friendly. The Cats are also known to be one of the better clubs to deal with, as apposed to Essendon who are notoriously bad to deal with. It all leans towards the Cats, and history suggests the longer he holds out, the more likely this will happen. You also did not mention his mangers comments over the past 6 months with him explicitly stating that should he leave the Crows, it would most likely be for the Cats due to personal reasons. Now I wouldn't trust a manager as far as I could throw them, but that's an important bit of information you also left out of your original post.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
No but its got insight.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Eventually 1 club will make a stand against this hideous rule that only benefits the stronger clubs in the long run. Adelaide are making the right noises and could well be the first and if he refuses to sign , then the AFL will get involved. When you say compensated accordingly, a late first round draft pick is far from adequate especially this year. The depth this year is shallow. Probably 10-12 decent players and the rest are standard at best. If the crows demand at least the first 2 picks in this years draft then is that adequate?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
"enough to force Dangerfield to stay." Good clubs don't force anyone to stay Edgar. He will stay because a) the money is good and b) he wants to play for a premiership. He won't be staying because he is 'forced' by the club by matching a higher offer. It generally doesn't work like this Edgar. All good football clubs let players go who don't want to be there, providing they are compensated accordingly.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Adelaide initiated contract talks at the start of the year, Dangerfield was advised by his manager that he should test the waters at the end of the year. Adelaide have respected Patricks wish and know that whatever offer he gets they will match it. its good business practice. Slowly the Crows have been signing their young talent up knowing they have enough to force Dangerfield to stay.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
bit of selfless self promotion, does it have a graph?