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From the moment Nathan Freeman’s request to be traded to St Kilda became official on Wednesday, he became public enemy number one to every Collingwood supporter in the country.
He and manager Paul Connors would have expected the backlash, given Freeman has yet to play a senior game for the Magpies since being taken at pick 10 in the 2013 National Draft.
That he has not made an appearance at senior level is hardly Freeman’s fault. Constant injuries, most notably of which have been to his hamstring, have given him little or no chance to show what he has to offer as an AFL player.
Understandably though, the Collingwood faithful are up in arms that a player the club has invested so heavily in without getting anything as yet in return, decides to leave – just as he gets his body right.
What makes Freeman’s decision even more unpalatable for the Magpie army is that most believe he is leaving for more money. Reports in the media suggest St Kilda have offered him a five-year deal worth $300,000 per season.
Connors has denied this. He said on SEN that his client’s decision to leave is based on opportunity rather than remuneration, but of course that is to be expected. His job is to paint his client in the best possible light to get him the best deal he can.
However even if this is true, it still does not say much for Freeman. Despite Connors describing him as “a ripping young bloke”, if he is not prepared to back himself to play senior football at Collingwood, what makes him think he can do so elsewhere?
Yes, the Magpies will have a strong midfield next season, particularly if the trade for the Greater Western Sydney Giants’ Adam Treloar gets done. But with Dane Swan certain to spend more time forward in 2016, and the added possibility of Scott Pendlebury playing a sweeping role off half back, the opportunities are there for someone willing to take them. Apparently Freeman is not.
Some have described Freeman as a similar type of player to Patrick Dangerfield. The comparisons may prove to be justified on the playing field sometime in the future, however at this stage the two appear poles apart as individuals.
If he did not have it already, Dangerfield has earned the respect of the entire football world this season with the way in which he has handled not only the death of Phil Walsh, but also the constant speculation that he would be heading home to Victoria at the end of the season.
Even after the announcement that he was leaving Adelaide became public on Wednesday, the vast majority of Crows supporters took to social media to thank him for his contribution to the club and to wish him all the best for the future. Which is hardly the case with Freeman.
Freeman may very well be the ripping young bloke that Connors says he is, he might also end up being a player in the mould of Dangerfield – adored by his own club’s fans and respected by the majority of others.
Yet no matter how good he becomes, either as a footballer or person, he will remain a villain to most Collingwood supporters for the foreseeable future. And there is little doubt they will vociferously let him know of their feelings for years to come.
As far as the Magpie Army is concerned, Freeman’s request to leave the Holden Centre was tantamount to a declaration of war. To them he is now an enemy of the state and will be treated accordingly.
Hopefully Nathan Freeman has a thick skin.
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