“No, we don’t owe anyone anything, mate, they’re professional footballers with contracts.”
Those words were spoken by a list manager involved in the Joe Daniher non-trade. And if you didn’t know better, you might assume they were spoken by maligned Essendon negotiator Adrian Dodoro, but, in fact, it was Sydney’s Kinnear Beatson who uttered them.
It’s an interesting insight into the attitude at one of the league’s most successful clubs, and it doesn’t take too much reading between the lines to think it might have also been a not-so-subtle message to Swans forward Tom Papley.
While plenty of players found new homes, this trade period saw several clubs push back against players trying to force their way out.
It’s a delicate balance, and while occasionally clubs will act altruistically, they’ll usually do whatever serves them best.
Geelong gave up Tim Kelly for a package too good to refuse. Similarly, Fremantle sold high on winger Brad Hill.
The Saints ultimately sent Josh Bruce to the Dogs for slightly more than was originally offered, and Jack Steven for, well, slightly more than nothing – a cynic might wonder just how much money they got off their books in that move, an optimist would praise St Kilda for doing the right thing for a long-serving club great who was in need of a fresh start.
It’s tough to get a read on what was actually on the table for Daniher, but whatever it was wasn’t enough to satisfy Essendon.
Now the Bombers have to deal with the consequences of denying a player the move he was after.
It’s a gamble the Cats took 12 months ago on Kelly and it paid off handsomely, both on the field and ultimately in the trade that sent him west.
Unlike Kelly, Daniher will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2020 season. Which means Dodoro and the Dons have 12 months to help their father-son star get healthy and convince him to stay.
If they can’t, he’ll move on and the Bombers will get less in return than they could have this season.
They also need to hope that they haven’t alienated Daniher, or turned off any of his teammates or potential recruits at other clubs.
Did they owe Daniher more during the trade period? Did the Swans have an obligation to work harder to get a deal done after seemingly convincing him to request a move?
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Like the Bombers, the Suns played hardball with the Blues over Jack Martin, ultimately refusing to budge, leading to an out-of-contract player being unable to choose a new club after six seasons.
If Beatson’s perspective is one widely shared across the league then it seems farcical that uncontracted Martin is forced into his current situation.
The reality is that for all the hand-wringing, loyalty is almost always a one-way street. Collingwood didn’t show much of it to James Aish when they pushed him out the door, nor did St Kilda when they negotiated Blake Acres into the Brad Hill trade.
It’s a delicate balance and the trade period circus doesn’t help. When players are so often spoken of as commodities, it’s easy to forget that they have lives beyond their footy club.
Perhaps it’s best if the illusion of loyalty is done away with and everyone just acts in their own best interests. Maybe in their selfishness to get an advantage, clubs will realise the significant on-field rewards in treating their players well.
Richmond’s most successful period of the past 30 years has coincided with what appears to be the club’s happiest period in the past 30 years. It’s incredible what can happen when people look forward to going to work.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Outstanding picks for someone we got for #54. Cleaned up is exactly the term.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
He'll definitely be at Carlton, his biggest downside is he seems lazy as if the extra weights or running isn't in his make up, can't blame GCS for that but I'm sure Russell will push him harder than he has ever done himself, classy player who can push up to stoppage is going to be a great addition for the blues.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Both Langdon & Jones average more disposals than Martin. Having said that I think Martin has more upside than those 2 especially playing at a club he wants to play for with a player he loves in Eddie. Melbourne were interested but Martins manager has already told them he only wants to go to Carlton. He has told GC he won’t go back there even if they pick him in the PSD. He doesn’t even have to sit down and talk to either club and I am sure Carlton will heavily front end his contract for the first 2 years like they could have if they got Coniglio. I would be amazed if Melbourne drafted him when he won’t even sit down with them just like Freo knew they would be wasting their time trying to get Kelly.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Highly unlikely next year with the compromised nature of the draft will see alot of picks pushed back by academy and father sons, so called is best description I agree mate, I'm not a big Martin fan but I also think he's better than a ed Langdon or Zakk Jones so imo is a high teens pick in a trade scenario but as SOS knew he could still get him in PSD aslong as Melbourne aren't interested but a high skilled hff for nothing but wage could be attractive to them.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Or it could be a pick in the lower 20’s & late 30’s. During the trade period listening to Trade Radio most of the so called experts including Tim Watson & Terry Wallace rated Martin as being worth a middle second round pick.
Rissole
Roar Rookie
Hopefully Rutten (along with Caracella) bring some Richmond style effort and comradery to Essendon. The Dons have certainly lacked heart/effort when the going gets tough for a number of years now. Worsfold may just sit on the bench and give bum pats (he certainly seemed to do a lot of that this year). If Joe comes back, can get fully-fit, and hit some 2017 form, I do believe we can end that drought and would certainly be more of chance than if he didn't play. If Fantasia, Smith & Heppell can get fit too that would make a difference. When Joey kicked 65 in 2017, Fantasia was able to kick 39 and AMT 34. I'd like to see how Stringer would perform in that forward line.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
No I wouldn't but I would've negotiated, GCS never thought they'd get that future second but needed to start higher than the future 2nd and 3rd on offer, both teams had an agenda, Carlton being ultimately the pre season draft and GCS saying if a lukocious decides he wants to be traded clubs better cough up or we may let them try the PSD lottery. Martin was still worth more than what Carlton offered which could easily end up being a pick in the 30s and a pick in high 50s next season, he'll be best 18 at Carlton if he gets there and that is a higher value than the offer made.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Come on 6x6, they wanted 9 & a future second. SOS offered what he was prepared to offer and pick 9 was never going to be part of it. Knowing that we are more than likely to pick him up in the PSD, SOS could have not bothered offering them anything. I am sure you will tell me that if West Coast were in the same position they would have given up what GC wanted.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Glendenning did win a Brownlow playing chb for north
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Future second and third is scraps for Martin and sos knew it, reality is GCS would've traded pick 15 and Martin for 9 which was a win win and C'mon the finished the year in the neafl argument doesn't hold, he was leaving and taking a spot from a kid needing to be accessed col, you know that
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I am more concerned about Esava being injured. The interesting problem is to find out the best position for him to play. I remember thinking that Glendenning would win a Brownlow if he was played in his best position rather than filling holes in the team.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Suns wanted pick 9 & a future second rounder for Martin & pick 15. Way overs for a player who finished the season playing NEAFL. The only player we were going to give pick 9 for was Papley. Obviously picking up Martin in the PSD was plan B for SOS, so it would have been pretty silly to give up 9. SOS offered a future second & third pick which for me was a good offer for the Suns.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Keep esava out of the ruck at all cost, liability in there everytime he contests.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Pick 15 and Martin for 9 was alot fairer than Carlton offered, they are just prepared to roll the dice and hope he's still there in pre season draft.
Cat
Roar Guru
I don't think he is worth pick 9 either. I was just pointing out using points value is a silly way of thinking of trades. The points system is highly flawed.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I see your point but I believe Esava is more gifted and can be used in a wider range of roles, would he be better used outside the ruck?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Maybe they just got too many extra picks from the AFL. Anyway I would have been really upset if we gave up pick 9 for a player who finished his year in the NEAFL and we likely get for nothing.
Cat
Roar Guru
You're missing that pick 9 would have been in this years draft versus two picks in next years draft. Maybe there isn't anyone they project to need points for next year? Maybe they are tired of 'next year'?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
You are missing Macca’s point Cat. The Suns wanted our pick 9 for Martin which we refused but offered them a future second & third pick which they refused. Macca was just pointing out that the offer of the 2 future picks would equal pick 9 with a 20% discount offered on Academy or father/son draftees. If the Suns have any Academy players next year they could have used those picks except the AFL are going to give them access to those players without even bidding. Carlton are near certainties to get Martin in the PSD unless Gil gives them some more rewards.
Cat
Roar Guru
Points be damned. Would you be happy if your club had pick 9 and traded it for picks 24 and 42? I'd be livid.