Cameron Mooney and Luke Darcy say maligned Western Bulldog Tom Boyd should take a pay cut to ease pressure

[bornadog]

link (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/cameron-mooney-and-luke-darcy-say-maligned-western-bulldog-tom-boyd-should-take-a-pay-cut-to-ease-pressure/news-story/335ea5b780a1944850a72b3806cb2074)


http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/843b5e974ee1b3044b6308fa18ce7486?width=1024

WESTERN Bulldogs spearhead Tom Boyd has been urged to take a pay cut to relieve the searing pressure on the $6 million recruit.

But it’s pressure that is “unfair” for Boyd to have to carry, one former club skipper says.

Geelong premiership forward Cameron Mooney believes Boyd could also win over his teammates by making the gesture to help secure banned Bomber Michael Hurley.

Boyd, 20, is one of the AFL’s highest paid players, but is ranked 458th in the league’s official player rankings, formulated by Champion Data.
Twenty-seven of Boyd’s Bulldogs’ teammates are ranked higher.

Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy also said the club should discuss a pay cut with Boyd for the benefit of the club’s drought-breaking premiership bid.
Mooney said the No. 1 draft pick should offer to drop his $1 million a year salary by about $100,000 a season, helping create some extra salary cap space for another prized defender.

“I do feel sorry for him (Boyd), because there is so much pressure building on this kid and he is still just a kid,” Mooney told the Herald Sun.

“He needs to take some of that pressure off, because I think he has got talent, but how long before we see it consistently?

“He could say, ‘take $100,000 off my contract for the next four years’ and that could help get a fantastic player like Michael Hurley, because they desperately need another key defender.

“And it would cast him in such a great light at the club because it would show that he is thinking more of the club rather than himself.”

But former Essendon captain Tim Watson isn’t so sure.

“The question is, does it help him in some way as a player for him to take a pay cut?,” he said on SEN today.

“It can help the football club financially, because it releases a bit of money in their salary cap, but internally, what he’s going through - and I don’t know the guy - but if it is about the fact that he was the No.1 pick and he’s a highly-paid player ... what difference would it matter if you took $100,000 off him or he gave $100,000 back to the football club?.”

Watson said the system in the NBA and NFL - where young players can only be paid up to a set amount - helps to avoid such pressure being piled onto young guns.

“Tom Boyd (is) one of the highest-paid players in the game, which carries all sorts of responsibilities and pressures attached to it, which I think is unfair for a young player to have to carry,” he said.

All-time coaching record holder Mick Malthouse slammed the idea, saying it won’t do anything to ease pressure.

“No, I don’t think the kid’s got any obligation to hand back any money,” he said on SEN.

“The relevance is a contract, and even if he did take a cut, it’s not going to relieve pressure. People will still remember that he’s come from Greater Western Sydney, he is a young man early in his career ... talls do take a lot longer to mature.

“In his case and certainly the manager’s case, they’ve got no need to panic about handing money back or changing contracts.”

Boyd faces a critical month helping replace injured full-forward Jack Redpath in the run home to the finals, but Cats’ premiership captain Cameron Ling has questioned whether the 29-gamer is up to the task.

The Dogs haven’t won a flag since 1954, but have compiled one of the most talented young lists in the competition, under coach Luke Beveridge and list manger Jason McCartney.

Former captain Darcy, who played 226 games at the kennel, said club chiefs should have the conversation with Boyd, if they needed the salary cap space.

“If you sat him down and said ‘this is going to help the side’, then yes, I think it is something that is worth considering,” Darcy said.

“I’ve always thought you get rewarded by the team success rather than the individual aspect of it all.
“I personally have always admired the sides which have been able to do that over the years and accept a little bit less (money) for the greater good, in team sport.”

Boyd crossed to the kennel after one season at GWS Giants and has averaged 10 possessions and one goal a game this season, amid some serious shoulder problems.

Mooney, who referred to the salary sacrifices made by the Cats in 2007-11 premiership dynasty, said it was a risky decision to recruit Boyd on such big money.

“I don’t think you pay $1 million (a season) on potential,” Mooney said.

“You pay $1 million a season for results and blokes who have got the runs on the board.

“In my view, you don’t reward a kid who may or may not turn into something special.

“It will be interesting to see how they get around that now because they can’t afford to lose any of their other quality young players over this and other clubs will definitely come after them.

“Guys like (Marcus) Bontempelli, (Jake) Stringer, (Jackson) Macrae and (Lachie) Hunter.

“It is arguably the best under-23 list in the competition, and I have been lucky enough to see it up close first hand (as an assistant coach), but they’re still missing a couple of pieces of the puzzle.”

But Port Adelaide premiership forward Warren Tredrea said Boyd should hang on to his whopping pay cheque.

“He didn’t ask for the Bulldogs to offer him $1 million a season and they knew what they were getting,” Tredrea said.

“He has got all of his best football ahead of him and tell me what key forwards come straight into the competition and dominate?

“People said the same thing about Tom Scully and Callan Ward, that they were overpaid in their first few seasons at the Giants and how are they going now?

“Scully has been sensational and Ward is the best player at the club.”

[bornadog]

Biggest load of rubbish I have read this year.

Media just can't let it go can they.

[bulldogtragic]

Boyd doesn't need to do anything but continue to learn and develop, which he's doing. And graduate off his P Plates. He's a kid...

[bulldogtragic]

Biggest load of rubbish I have read this year.

Media just can't let it go can they.

What's Darcy doing feeding it also?

[bornadog]

What's Darcy doing feeding it also?

Yeah I don't understand that.

[ledge]

Umm what pressure ? There is only outside pressure from the media to perform, stop going on about it and you stop the pressure: your the ones causing it ! And I'm sorry but who said there is any pressure at the club ? The club hasn't said it the players haven't said it . It's perceived pressure from you the media ! Don't know where it's a money issue, we are chasing Hurley so obviously it's not a problem.

[bornadog]

Great tweet:


Grant Thomas ‏@Thomo_Grant (https://twitter.com/Thomo_Grant) 4h (https://twitter.com/Thomo_Grant/status/758043199239696386)4 hours ago (https://twitter.com/Thomo_Grant/status/758043199239696386)
I'm finding this self serving righteousness by former players advising Tom Boyd to take a pay cut offensive. Did they take a cut?

[bulldogtragic]

No. But one put an ultimatum to the club to get another ruckman or they'd leave. Hence a great pick used on Peter Street. Hypocracy at its best.

[Ghost Dog]

Great tweet:

Grant Thomas comes across as a bit of a nitwit at times, but he's about the only person to come in and give the AFL media the sharp shake it needs on the odd occasion.

[Ozza]

Biggest load of rubbish I have read this year.

Media just can't let it go can they.

The article was pretty balanced in terms of getting quotes/views from a range (about 6 I think) of ex-players/coaches.

If it ONLY used the viewpoint of Darcy, Mooney and Ling - then it would be ordinary. But they have also used Tredrea, Malthouse and Watson's views in there. So I've got no problem with it.

[Bulldog4life]

Great tweet:

Didn't Darc take a 15% pay cut when Campbell Rose first came to the Club? Might be wrong.

[Sedat]

I am hoping against hope that our club hasn't been party to planting this story to Mooney and Darcy to feed to the media. Boydy signed a contract that anyone else would have signed - all he needs to do is work on becoming the best player and teammate he can possibly be. How many 20yo key forward/rucks have torn the competition to shreds? I used to laugh at Hawkins when Lake used to toy with him for fun at the same age.

This is such a poor article and extremely disappointing from the 2 players quoted.

[Bulldog4life]

Didn't Darc take a 15% pay cut when Campbell Rose first came to the Club? Might be wrong.

If so Thomas hasn't done his homework.

[bornadog]

The article was pretty balanced in terms of getting quotes/views from a range (about 6 I think) of ex-players/coaches.

If it ONLY used the viewpoint of Darcy, Mooney and Ling - then it would be ordinary. But they have also used Tredrea, Malthouse and Watson's views in there. So I've got no problem with it.

Why is this being discussed after almost two years.(Boyd's salary) Media needs to let it go. The only pressure on Boyd is from Media jerks, not the club.

We don't need rubbish articles like this floating around.

[Greystache]

These types of articles and suggestions are going to keep pouring in while we continue with our current external comms/PR strategy. Putting your fingers in your ears and hoping if you say nothing it'll go away is the sort of tactic a child uses. If I were Boyd I'd seriously have the shits with the way the club lets him be thrown under the bus week after week. Never any contradiction of false reports, never offering any clarity to reduce speculation, and never any support for him when being questioned about his output.

I'm starting to think we have some AFL double agents working at the club who are seeking to ensure any positivity about our future gets drowned out by baseless negative speculation. We can't be unintentionally this incompetent.

[dadsgirl16]

I am going to have to switch off SEN today..they have not stopped talking about Tom And his bloody contract!

[Ozza]

Why is this being discussed after almost two years.(Boyd's salary) Media needs to let it go. The only pressure on Boyd is from Media jerks, not the club.

We don't need rubbish articles like this floating around.

By media jerks - I presume you mean the former player, and former specialist coach from the club?

In terms of it being discussed - it is quite clearly an area of interest, whether you like it or not. There is so much AFL media - and its just too obvious a topic, for it not to be talked about.

As Greystache said, the club does nothing to slow or smother the story. Gordon dances around the topic of his involvement, which keeps that angle smouldering along, and Boyd is yet to play a level footy that changes the conversation.

[Happy Days]

Brian Waldron this week - "Tom Boyd's massive contract is going to stop the Bulldogs from recruiting big money free agents"

Brian Waldron last week - "The Bulldogs have offered Hurley a 5-year deal and they're going to get him on big money"

I also love the idea that Brian Waldron is an authority on the financial machinations of sporting clubs.

[Webby]

Didn't Darc take a 15% pay cut when Campbell Rose first came to the Club? Might be wrong.

It'd be great to see Darcy tweet back "Yes, I took a 15% pay cut in 2002, at which time I was the reigning AFL MVP...
Or something to that effect...

(Not that I'm agreeing with Darcy's point, btw.)

[Hotdog60]

We know nothing about Boyd's contract and he may well already have half of the total sum front ended and may only getting $500,000 a year from now on.
Weren't we struggling to fill the cap a year or so back.

[SonofScray]

The worry for me is that if we get bogged down in battling the media's pursuit of Boyd's Bust, they'll quickly spin our defence of him into us putting an individual ahead of the club etc. They have articles already written, waiting for names and dates to be inserted. I don't mind if we just refuse to participate, but it probably has its own consequences which I haven't considered deeply yet.

[SonofScray]

By media jerks - I presume you mean the former player, and former specialist coach from the club?
.

He isn't one of the most loved Scraggers to have pulled on the jumper for whatever reason. Usually goes into bat for us which has won my affections to some extent but he is certainly a media jerk, card carrying member of the Boy's Club. It's like Peter Garret, go into politics expecting to change the system, but you get consumed by it.

[Bulldog4life]

It'd be great to see Darcy tweet back "Yes, I took a 15% pay cut in 2002, at which time I was the reigning AFL MVP...
Or something to that effect...

(Not that I'm agreeing with Darcy's point, btw.)

I agree but it makes Thomas look foolish with his tweet.

[bornadog]

By media jerks - I presume you mean the former player, and former specialist coach from the club? .

Yes included, along with Barrett, Ralph, and every other media person constantly bringing up Tom's salary.



In terms of it being discussed - it is quite clearly an area of interest, whether you like it or not. There is so much AFL media - and its just too obvious a topic, for it not to be talked about.

Of interest to those who want to either put the club down, or they don't have a creative thought in their brain and want to keep discussing this after almost two years after signing Tom. Create a new story, stop rehashing the same old thing.



As Greystache said, the club does nothing to slow or smother the story. Gordon dances around the topic of his involvement, which keeps that angle smouldering along, and Boyd is yet to play a level footy that changes the conversation.

So what if Gordon was involved in any way. He didn't do it on his own, he has to have permission from the board. PG is not stupid to be a lone wolf.

Also, PG came out on Monday and said if the club had their time again, they would do the same.

I was so proud of the club when they signed up a young talented, number one draft pick standing at 200cm who showed he was the best big man junior for his year. we showed the footy world (for once), we want a premiership and sustained success.

His salary is a financial negotiation between the club and player and no one else's business.

[FrediKanoute]

Didn't Darc take a 15% pay cut when Campbell Rose first came to the Club? Might be wrong.

Yeah I believe that is right -he and all of the fab 5

[westdog54]

Didn't Darc take a 15% pay cut when Campbell Rose first came to the Club? Might be wrong.

That was when the club was in dire straits financially, and there wasn't a requirement to pay a certain percentage of the salary cap.

It wasn't because he was out of form.

The idea that he should take a pay cut to reduce the media pressure on him is laughable, for three reasons:

1) Despite the constant speculation, I'm guessing no one in the media knows what he's going to be on from year to year.
2) If he does take a pay cut, it will only add more fuel to fire when discussions of the original trade are had.
3) He has four years left of the contract in which to demonstrate that it was money well spent.

[LostDoggy]

Unfortunately Tom's contract is always going to be a talking point. Especially when he is struggling and we are losing. To suggest otherwise demonstrates lack of awareness of how big AFL media has become.

I agree that the club hasn't done Tom any favours with the handling of the Zaine incident and responding to criticism.

If it were Carlton who picked him up on this amount of money, I almost guarantee 95% of us here would be sinking the boots in every time he played a mediocre game.

[ledge]

Carlton did it but wasted it on two players over three years , jones and Tutt how come the media don't mention their efforts ?

[Remi Moses]

Interesting to read that Travis Cloke is earning 800,000 to 900,000 this year .
If you're going to argue not getting value for contract , you could put forward many many players.
Scully, and his dad , and even Callan Ward wasn't worth the 700,000 initially.
I've got confidence in The list management strategy, and so far they've done extremely well.
Agree they PR job was messy with Zaine and Tom, and should have been handled better.

[Bulldog4life]

That was when the club was in dire straits financially, and there wasn't a requirement to pay a certain percentage of the salary cap.

It wasn't because he was out of form.

The idea that he should take a pay cut to reduce the media pressure on him is laughable, for three reasons:

1) Despite the constant speculation, I'm guessing no one in the media knows what he's going to be on from year to year.
2) If he does take a pay cut, it will only add more fuel to fire when discussions of the original trade are had.
3) He has four years left of the contract in which to demonstrate that it was money well spent.

We are not talking about anybody being out of form or not. We are talking about what Thomas tweeted:


I'm finding this self serving righteousness by former players advising Tom Boyd to take a pay cut offensive. Did they take a cut?

The answer is yes. Darcy did take a cut in the past. Thomas should have checked his facts

[bornadog]

We are not talking about anybody being out of form or not. We are talking about what Thomas tweeted:


I'm finding this self serving righteousness by former players advising Tom Boyd to take a pay cut offensive. Did they take a cut?

The answer is yes. Darcy did take a cut in the past. Thomas should have checked his facts

That is not the point anyway, he says it is offensive to ask him to take a paycut.

[bulldogtragic]

That is not the point anyway, he says it is offensive to ask him to take a paycut.

And it is. Worse yet, they've planted the seed publicly so the great unwashed can scream it out at every game and believe it because guys with links to our club have said it already. On this basis Cloke, Dale Thomas, Gary Ablett Jnr (injured) etc. should be offering their salaries back too.

[bornadog]

Just a reminder from Sam Landsberger on twitter

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfUCeS1UMAA1sBS.jpg:large

[ledge]

So we have two players who haven't signed new contracts, wouldn't be to many clubs with only two that haven't signed contracts , please tell me where the pressure is ?

[Mantis]

So we have two players who haven't signed new contracts, wouldn't be to many clubs with only two that haven't signed contracts , please tell me where the pressure is ?

Which 2?

[bulldogtragic]

Boyd & Morris haven't been offered a contract/signed have they yet? I haven't heard about Prudden, Campbell, Clay, Hrovat, Hamilton, Hamling and of course Jong & Stevens. Have I missed some signings?

[LostDoggy]

Carlton did it but wasted it on two players over three years , jones and Tutt how come the media don't mention their efforts ?

Because everyone knows they both are shit.

[comrade]

If we asked him to take a cut, say goodbye to ever attracting a decent free agent. No player manager would ever take our call.

[bulldogtragic]

If we asked him to take a cut, say goodbye to ever attracting a decent free agent. No player manager would ever take our call.

It'd be gutless of us too, not to mention telling him we've lost faith in him being worth the contract we gave him. It's such a dumb thing to say from these people for many, many reasons.

[Ghost Dog]

Would look a bunch of weasels if we did as Ling and Darcy suggested. PG will have none of it. Sally forth Bulldogs.

[boydogs]

3) He has four years left of the contract in which to demonstrate that it was money well spent.

5, after this one

[jeemak]

Stringer will leave us most likely, the foundations have already been by his very recent media exposure.

[1eyedog]

Boyd & Morris haven't been offered a contract/signed have they yet? I haven't heard about Prudden, Campbell, Clay, Hrovat, Hamilton, Hamling and of course Jong & Stevens. Have I missed some signings?

Not as far as I know with the word that Jong has 2 years in front of him. It's all I've heard from the names you've mentioned. Pretty sure Boydy and Moz signed deals just before last years finals so assume it will be a point of discussion over the next month.

[ledge]

Media speculating we are under pressure due to his contract but the same media says we are chasing Hurley, obviously their is no cap pressure .

[EasternWest]

So what if Gordon was involved in any way. He didn't do it on his own, he has to have permission from the board. PG is not stupid to be a lone wolf.

Also, PG came out on Monday and said if the club had their time again, they would do the same.

I was so proud of the club when they signed up a young talented, number one draft pick standing at 200cm who showed he was the best big man junior for his year. we showed the footy world (for once), we want a premiership and sustained success.

His salary is a financial negotiation between the club and player and no one else's business.

I agree with this entirely.


Stringer will leave us most likely, the foundations have already been by his very recent media exposure.

Interesting you say this. Can you elaborate?

I don't get the feeling that any of our top end talent will leave. I've got no real reason to support it, just the vibe.

[jeemak]

Tongue in cheek more than anything else, though the HUN had a spread stating he'd consider leaving if the world was offered to him and if it was the best thing for his family about two weeks ago.

He did say his intention is to stay a Bulldog and be a one club player because we had faith to pick him at 5 when others were off him due to his leg break, but they all say that type of thing mid contract.

[bornadog]

Tongue in cheek more than anything else, though the HUN had a spread stating he'd consider leaving if the world was offered to him and if it was the best thing for his family about two weeks ago.

He did say his intention is to stay a Bulldog and be a one club player because we had faith to pick him at 5 when others were off him due to his leg break, but they all say that type of thing mid contract.

I would be surprised if he left, however, throw big money at a player and it is hard to resist.

[Mofra]

We know nothing about Boyd's contract and he may well already have half of the total sum front ended and may only getting $500,000 a year from now on.
Weren't we struggling to fill the cap a year or so back.
He couldn't have his first year with us front-loaded - the first two years of a draftee's contract are mandated by the AFL.

[hujsh]

Can we just give him a $50 pay cut and tell the media he took a pay cut for the good of the club? The amount of which is confidential. Just to spin the media a bit.

[EasternWest]

Tongue in cheek more than anything else, though the HUN had a spread stating he'd consider leaving if the world was offered to him and if it was the best thing for his family about two weeks ago.

He did say his intention is to stay a Bulldog and be a one club player because we had faith to pick him at 5 when others were off him due to his leg break, but they all say that type of thing mid contract.

Yeah right, makes sense. I remember that thread now. I even commeneted that if offered enough of course he'd go and I wouldn't blame him.

Gut still tells me his preference wont be to go.

[The Pie Man]

Does this type of situation need Bevo to do a Bomber style 'all of you...ALL OF YOU' rant at the media?

I find Cam Mooney raising this and then having the gall to say he 'feels sorry for him' laughable. What a ____ idiot. This yarn couldn't have been more manufactured.



On jeemak's vibe re: Stringer - we'll have to offer him some big coin to stay...but we should have the cap room to do so by then.

[Mantis]

Does this type of situation need Bevo to do a Bomber style 'all of you...ALL OF YOU' rant at the media?

I find Cam Mooney raising this and then having the gall to say he 'feels sorry for him' laughable. What a ____ idiot. This yarn couldn't have been more manufactured.

We need to do something.. The constant bullshit discussion from these media wannabes has to be dealt with... But as usual we sit on our hands.


On jeemak's vibe re: Stringer - we'll have to offer him some big coin to stay...but we should have the cap room to do so by then.

It would take a Gary Ablett or Tom Boyd like deal to drag Stringer away which I can't see happening in the short term.. Either that or the ass falls out of our team and we become a cellar dweller in the next 4-6 years... That isn't happening either.

[LostDoggy]

Can we just give him a $50 pay cut and tell the media he took a pay cut for the good of the club? The amount of which is confidential. Just to spin the media a bit.

Great response.


We need to do something.. The constant bullshit discussion from these media wannabes has to be dealt with... But as usual we sit on our hands.



At the same time, getting involved perpetuates the situation as well. We just need a Young Tall/Tom Boyd fact sheet to hand out or provide a link when necessary.

Barrett: Luke, why are you so Tom Boyd stupid?
Bevo: Here's your fact sheet chickenhead.

Barrett: @Twit.com @BarrettsChickenhead @ToydGun Blah blah contract blah
Mantis: @MantisTweets @BarrettsChickenhead www.westernbuldogs.com\TB_YoungKPF_Fact_Sheet.PDF.

[boydogs]

The media must be going crazy down there at the moment. You're all starting to sound panicked

I'm not so sure we need to be addressing every fantasy the media concocts

[AndrewP6]

Can we just give him a $50 pay cut and tell the media he took a pay cut for the good of the club? The amount of which is confidential. Just to spin the media a bit.

Didn't he get fined for his recent tiff with Cordy? If so, he's already reduced his pay! :cool: