Bulldogs, Destination Club: What have we done ????

[Jeanette54]

I remember last year there was discussion on what constitutes a destination club (for those senior players wishing to swap clubs), and why we are not one of them. It was a sort of consensus that we were not one, and that it effected our ability to draw quality recruits from other AFL teams.

Sorry, I can't remember the thread, to extend the original theme.

Given we are now in the back end of the season I would be interested to know whether our Woofers think we have addressed this problem, and how ?

Or, are we still just seen as the poor, battlers from the West, 2016 notwithstanding ?

[bornadog]

One of the issues of not being a destination club is not playing in blockbuster games as well as not playing at the G with an average crowd in excess of 50,000.

How do we bridge this?

* On field success
* Improved facilities, including training, rooms, staffing, good coaches and a great place to be.

[merantau]

I think on-field success is first, second and everywhere in between. Payers want to play in a premiership team. Full stop.

[Jeanette54]

I think on-field success is first, second and everywhere in between. Payers want to play in a premiership team. Full stop.

If that was truly the case we should have had a queue of applicants a mile long at Whitten Oval after 2016.

[Hotdog60]

I think BAD has hit the spot. We are small fry in a big pond and until the AFL pull their head out of their arse and make an equal competition it will be the same.
If we win a couple of premierships along the way it may sway the odd one but players are drawn to the big clubs and the big crowds.
We would have to play finals 5 years in a row and win half before we get taken seriously.
The AFL is run by the dollar and media rights is a big part of that dollar and they will always back the clubs with the larger viewing audience.
It would take the AFL to start its own tv channel to maybe back to a proper draw and not a fixture and take away the blockbusters for individuals clubs and share to whoever gets picked out of the hat.
Also while on a rant fixed player payments so no one player is payed over just to entice them to a club.

Then we may see a stabilized competition.

[hujsh]

Give us Anzac Day

[1eyedog]

50k members would help. We've addressed the destination club for this trade period I believe. The AFL is coming more and more corporate and we have a full war chest. We'll be paying overs due to other deficiencies but I fully expect to spend big this trade period and get a genuinely good player. If you've got the cash and are prepared to pay a bit over value the destination club discussion becomes less relevant.

[Testekill]

It doesn't help when the AFL is committed to keeping the big clubs big by constantly giving them preferential treatment in regards to them getting marquee games every year along with not being shackled by Marvel Stadium for the most part. There really isn't the room to grow for us because we aren't a traditionally strong team and get nothing from the AFL to help make us more attractive.


Shit look at Melbourne, a big club who are only big due to momentum and being old; Larger potential crowds, get the Queen's Birthday game which is a guaranteed sell-out because it's a public holiday game vs Collingwood and had the AFL personally setting up coaches so that they could maybe stop being shit.

Or even Essendon; they got busted for being drug cheats but didn't lose either of their marquee games and in fact got a third one.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I met Paul Dimattina who said he was jealous of his brother because he had played for Collingwood in front of big crowds.

[bornadog]

I met Paul Dimattina who said he was jealous of his brother because he had played for Collingwood in front of big crowds.

We need our supporters to get out there and watch us play. We need to fill Marvel and create a great atmosphere.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

We need our supporters to get out there and watch us play. We need to fill Marvel and create a great atmosphere.

It is interesting to note that home based Clubs at Marvel, Saints North, Carlton, Essendon and WB, haven't been flushed with success. Collingwood Richmond and Hawthorn all boast big memberships playing at the MCG.

[hujsh]

It is interesting to note that home based Clubs at Marvel, Saints North, Carlton, Essendon and WB, haven't been flushed with success. Collingwood Richmond and Hawthorn all boast big memberships playing at the MCG.
A few have come close but aside from Essendon in 2000 when it opened we’re the only team to win a premiership playing there.

[Eastdog]

It is interesting to note that home based Clubs at Marvel, Saints North, Carlton, Essendon and WB, haven't been flushed with success. Collingwood Richmond and Hawthorn all boast big memberships playing at the MCG.

Do you think why we don’t play often at the MCG is that we have a low number of Bulldog MCC members. I know Bevo has said he really enjoys playing there but we don’t get much opportunity.

[Eastdog]

We need our supporters to get out there and watch us play. We need to fill Marvel and create a great atmosphere.

Yep for sure. Need our members/supporters to get to the games when they can.

[ledge]

It is interesting to note that home based Clubs at Marvel, Saints North, Carlton, Essendon and WB, haven't been flushed with success. Collingwood Richmond and Hawthorn all boast big memberships playing at the MCG.

Big memberships is a furphy in some cases, Hawks apparently huge but they don’t go to games, how many are pet and baby memberships or 3 game memberships ?
You can do shiftys to up your membership numbers, Essendon gave out a few thousand free after the drug scandal.
Should look at revenue from membership and average crowd to home games to get a better idea.

[GVGjr]

It's interesting to me that other players across the competition don't look at us in a more positive destination type manner
Our ability to keep signing our talented and emerging players should be a great sign that we are a club that values positive and hard working players plus we probably have the scope to pay a bit more than most.

I'm probably very biased (OK definitely) but shouldn't any smart player manager be giving their clients a not so gentle nudge towards us?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

It's interesting to me that other players across the competition don't look at us in a more positive destination type manner
Our ability to keep signing our talented and emerging players should be a great sign that we are a club that values positive and hard working players plus we probably have the scope to pay a bit more than most.

I'm probably very biased (OK definitely) but shouldn't any smart player manager be giving their clients a not so gentle nudge towards us?

This is what continues to puzzle me. How is it long term dumpster fires like Melbourne and Carlton continue to attract players like Lever, May, Docherty, Marchbank and McGovern, whilst we struggle so hard. This despite recent success, off-field stability and a significantly improved bottom line, especially compared to those two clubs.
On top of that the re-signing of some young, long term talent, I'm genuinely puzzled why we don't attract higher profile recruits.

[G-Mo77]

If that was truly the case we should have had a queue of applicants a mile long at Whitten Oval after 2016.

Problem with that was it was kind of out of left field and we didn't sustain it. Had we been competitive in 2017 I'm sure we could have attracted a big fish.

[Grantysghost]

We need a blockbuster game to use as a selling point. Seriously Melbourne train at Gosch's paddock, they change in a moving van, their club store is so deep in the bowels of the MCG not only is it impossible to find, when you enter you feel you've walked in on a storage area...but they have Queens birthday and the MCG. I think we really need to keep pushing for a blockbuster game there has to be a market for us. I think there's some potential for a game v the Cats, maybe Western region or something I dont know but is has to be a top priority. (I'm sure it is).

[Eastdog]

More games at the MCG would help but it really is up to us fans to turn up to the games. Marvel stadium is our home today but playing a bit more at the home of footy can only be a good thing and we seem to play pretty well there.

[Eastdog]

Big memberships is a furphy in some cases, Hawks apparently huge but they don’t go to games, how many are pet and baby memberships or 3 game memberships ?
You can do shiftys to up your membership numbers, Essendon gave out a few thousand free after the drug scandal.
Should look at revenue from membership and average crowd to home games to get a better idea.

Revenue is the important one and that can vary on the types of memberships people buy. A massive number of 3 game members won’t get a lot of revenue.

[S Coast Simon]

Sadly if your from the Western Suburbs you love the West. If your born in the Eastern Suburbs you don’t like the West. Simple as that. You may notice the guys from the Eastern suburbs mostly live over the bridge. Like the interstate teams we need to focus on local talent. We are still Footscray in many peoples thoughts. To us it’s beautiful but to the others we are lower than them.
Will be difficult for us for for many more years till we can have a run of sustainable success this is our game I’m sorry

[GVGjr]

We need a blockbuster game to use as a selling point. Seriously Melbourne train at Gosch's paddock, they change in a moving van, their club store in so deep in the bowels of the MCG not only is it impossible to find, when you enter you feel you've walked in on a storage area...but they have Queens birthday and the MCG. I think we really need to keep pushing for a blockbuster game there has to be a market for us. I think there's some potential for a game v the Cats, maybe Western region or something I dont know but is has to be a top priority. (I'm sure it is).

A blockbuster would help but it's 3 years of meaningful finals performances that will make the difference for us for both fans and players. That will propel us towards 50K members which is where we really need to be to attract the quality bigger name players.

3 solid seasons will get us close to 47 or 48K members and that's a strong position for us and ultimately if that isn't tempting to some players then they wouldn't be coming for the right reasons so stuff them.

[mjp]

This article is 12+ months old but it details the steps that the Minnesota Vikings - in a less than 'appealing location' in the states, went about revitalising their training facilities to improve performance AND assist in acquiring free-agents:

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-facility-tco-performance-center-headquarters-video-tour-details-photos/487412921/

Now - our facilities aren't 'BAD' by any means...but are they a differentiator?

Offering facilities such as the cryo services on-site is attractive to free-agents as they are often high-earning players who want to continue to be high-earning players...the reputation of our medical and rehab teams and the available facilities are absolutely key here...

[GVGjr]

This article is 12+ months old but it details the steps that the Minnesota Vikings - in a less than 'appealing location' in the states, went about revitalising their training facilities to improve performance AND assist in acquiring free-agents:

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-facility-tco-performance-center-headquarters-video-tour-details-photos/487412921/

Now - our facilities aren't 'BAD' by any means...but are they a differentiator?

Offering facilities such as the cryo services on-site is attractive to free-agents as they are often high-earning players who want to continue to be high-earning players...the reputation of our medical and rehab teams and the available facilities are absolutely key here...

Excellent example of creating an environment that offers a point of difference to other clubs

[Danjul]

Excellent example of creating an environment that offers a point of difference to other clubs

we unexpectedly got into a grand final. That would have caught player’s attention.

what did they see when they looked closely?

1. 20% of the premiership team moving to other clubs.

2. premiership players unable to get a game.

3. An obvious emphasis on young inexperienced talent.

4. Trengove, a migrant, couldn’t get a game in early 2019.

5. Etc

Not an inviting prospect for a champion.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

we unexpectedly got into a grand final. That would have caught player’s attention.

what did they see when they looked closely?

1. 20% of the premiership team moving to other clubs.

2. premiership players unable to get a game.

3. An obvious emphasis on young inexperienced talent.

4. Trengove, a migrant, couldn’t get a game in early 2019.

5. Etc

Not an inviting prospect for a champion.

And what exactly did players like Lever, May, Docherty, Marchbank and McGovern, see when they 'looked closer' at Melbourne and Carlton respectively?

[Twodogs]

we unexpectedly got into a grand final. That would have caught player’s attention.

what did they see when they looked closely?

1. 20% of the premiership team moving to other clubs.

2. premiership players unable to get a game.

3. An obvious emphasis on young inexperienced talent.

4. Trengove, a migrant, couldn’t get a game in early 2019.

5. Etc

Not an inviting prospect for a champion.

I think we get judged in a poor manner over the whole Cloke thing. Get him to the club on a two year deal, refuse to play him despite the fact we are/were screaming out for a player of his type and then inexplicably give him the flick after only one year of the contract. In politics they talk about optics (how things look to the average punter) and the optics of the Cloke deal to other AFL players must have been awful. It looked like we didn't know what we were doing and more importantly didn't care. It looked like the recruitment guys weren't talking to the list management guys or what they were saying was getting lost in translation. Anyway we didnt look like a club that really good players ( Crozier and Trengrove are good solid players but they are not superstars) would want to take a risk on coming to.

[Grantysghost]

A blockbuster would help but it's 3 years of meaningful finals performances that will make the difference for us for both fans and players. That will propel us towards 50K members which is where we really need to be to attract the quality bigger name players.

3 solid seasons will get us close to 47 or 48K members and that's a strong position for us and ultimately if that isn't tempting to some players then they wouldn't be coming for the right reasons so stuff them.

Agree with this, the sell of sustained success with the perceived talent on the Melbourne list was probably a big factor in recruiting May and Lever.
On the other hand we have had successful periods before (2006-2010) recently and we haven't really capitalised on that. I guess it's a series of things as mentioned in the previous posts, I think they are all part of the stew of attraction.
Success, facilities, shop-face exposure for players (Friday night, Finals, Blockbusters), indigenous programs, great staff (snow button!).
We are starting to tick some of these boxes, re-signing our young stars, improvement of indigenous programs, land for new facilities, on field success (look at last five years across all streams) so we are heading in the right direction. Our lack of big games is troubling however, so as you say sustained finals need to be our blockbusters.

[GVGjr]

we unexpectedly got into a grand final. That would have caught player’s attention.

what did they see when they looked closely?

1. 20% of the premiership team moving to other clubs.

2. premiership players unable to get a game.

3. An obvious emphasis on young inexperienced talent.

4. Trengove, a migrant, couldn’t get a game in early 2019.

5. Etc

Not an inviting prospect for a champion.

We had a very strong 2015 season, a flag in 2016 but we fell short of expectations in 2017 and beyond. I doubt the flag has any currency now with players from other clubs. Had we done better in 2017 then our perception in the market as a destination club would have been enhanced.

Regarding your point 3, does a rebuild actually work in favour for bigger name players? I would have thought that with established players of the ilk of Bontempelli, Macrae, Dunkley, Liberatore, Johannisen, Daniel and Hunter and then a host of emerging talent in Naughton, English, Richards, Schache and Smith plus a host of quality role players like Trengove, Crozier, Suckling, Lloyd and of course Morris then we should be a more attractive destination for quality players

[bornadog]

This article is 12+ months old but it details the steps that the Minnesota Vikings - in a less than 'appealing location' in the states, went about revitalising their training facilities to improve performance AND assist in acquiring free-agents:

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-facility-tco-performance-center-headquarters-video-tour-details-photos/487412921/

Now - our facilities aren't 'BAD' by any means...but are they a differentiator?

Offering facilities such as the cryo services on-site is attractive to free-agents as they are often high-earning players who want to continue to be high-earning players...the reputation of our medical and rehab teams and the available facilities are absolutely key here...

When we first setup our training centre it was the best in the land, and we also made three prelims. The new development is going to take it to the next level, and hopefully we can use it as a selling point.

[Danjul]

Regarding your point 3, does a rebuild actually work in favour for bigger name players? I would have thought that with established players of the ilk of Bontempelli, Macrae, Dunkley, Liberatore, Johannisen, Daniel and Hunter and then a host of emerging talent in Naughton, English, Richards, Schache and Smith plus a host of quality role players like Trengove, Crozier, Suckling, Lloyd and of course Morris then we should be a more attractive destination for quality players

I think you are correct, they will attract interest when they start to generate sustainable success on the field.

It might still be too early, maybe in a year or two.

[Danjul]

I think we get judged in a poor manner over the whole Cloke thing. Get him to the club on a two year deal, refuse to play him despite the fact we are/were screaming out for a player of his type and then inexplicably give him the flick after only one year of the contract. In politics they talk about optics (how things look to the average punter) and the optics of the Cloke deal to other AFL players must have been awful. It looked like we didn't know what we were doing and more importantly didn't care. It looked like the recruitment guys weren't talking to the list management guys or what they were saying was getting lost in translation. Anyway we didnt look like a club that really good players ( Crozier and Trengrove are good solid players but they are not superstars) would want to take a risk on coming to.

Yes, that saga was bizarre and damaged the club as a destination for sure. All the PR benefit was wasted.

Looking back on it, another case of a good player ruining his career in the ruck. That position has been a graveyard for years.

[Danjul]

And what exactly did players like Lever, May, Docherty, Marchbank and McGovern, see when they 'looked closer' at Melbourne and Carlton respectively?

In football the words Melbourne and Carlton have brand recognition.

It is generated by sustained periods of success and lasts for generations.

50% of the Herald-sun football articles are about Collingwood for that reason.

[AndrewP6]

In football the words Melbourne and Carlton have brand recognition.

It is generated by sustained periods of success and lasts for generations.

50% of the Herald-sun football articles are about Collingwood for that reason.

Melbourne haven't won a premiership in 55 years, their "sustained period of success" is more than a generation ago. Carlton at least is more recent, but neither have the benefit of successful runs.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

In football the words Melbourne and Carlton have brand recognition.

It is generated by sustained periods of success and lasts for generations.

50% of the Herald-sun football articles are about Collingwood for that reason.

Stretching the limits of credulity there.
A few weeks ago, you were lamenting that our recent success counts for nothing, and that if we don't follow up soon fans will desert. Yet this does not hold true for players somehow?

There are 20 years olds today who have never seen a successful Carlton side in their life. There are Melbourne supporters who have gone an entire lifetime without seeing a successful team; but they're both still desirable to players due to their 'brand recognition?

Clearly there is some reason why these clubs seem to still attract talent, but I'm not buying that it's due to players wanting to play there due to some lingering legacy of a brand that has long been a smelly dumpster fire. Tanking culture, dodgy payments, constant upheaval off the field. These are not things that support a strong brand as being the reason why players are still going there.

[1eyedog]

Doesn't matter. Football ties run deep. Both Melbourne and Carlton have, in their time, had sustained periods of success. Starts the ball rolling. My grandpa barracked for Melbourne when he was a kid cause they were good. M father supports them and so do I etc. We've never experienced this. My best mate barracks for Richmond csuse when he started to notice footy Richmond had just won the 1980 flag.
The Anamoly is Norf. Their membership actually went down after their late 90s golden era.

[Danjul]

Stretching the limits of credulity there.
A few weeks ago, you were lamenting that our recent success counts for nothing, and that if we don't follow up soon fans will desert. Yet this does not hold true for players somehow?

There are 20 years olds today who have never seen a successful Carlton side in their life. There are Melbourne supporters who have gone an entire lifetime without seeing a successful team; but they're both still desirable to players due to their 'brand recognition?

Clearly there is some reason why these clubs seem to still attract talent, but I'm not buying that it's due to players wanting to play there due to some lingering legacy of a brand that has long been a smelly dumpster fire. Tanking culture, dodgy payments, constant upheaval off the field. These are not things that support a strong brand as being the reason why players are still going there.

The recent success does count. It has brought new supporters. On the train to the last two home games I have seen four year olds wearing miniature Dogs jumpers (didn’t know jumpers were made that small) accompanying parents who have recently started following AFL. Now the challenge is to keep them for the next 50 years. What will do it better than continued success? No one here has suggested anything.

Players enjoy playing, being a celebrity and using the small window of opportunity to establish a career path. Why aren’t they queuing up to go to the Gold Coast where they can get warm weather as well? Because it would kill the exposure that’s essential for building their personal brand that has to last longer than the playing years.

What gets players to clubs? Media coverage. What gets Media coverage? Success over a long term. And then some scandal can maximise the public scrutiny. It’s the same as selling magazines.

The Dogs had opportunities with Hall and Acker but did they market the club well? When the premiership arrived did they promote the club intensively or fall into a cult of celebrity?

[Danjul]

Melbourne haven't won a premiership in 55 years, their "sustained period of success" is more than a generation ago. Carlton at least is more recent, but neither have the benefit of successful runs.


You are making a mistake associating the words Melbourne and Carlton with only football success. They have incorporated business culture into their DNA. When they were successful they were able to draw in high profile business people, for example, and all these associations make the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

Making supporters feel good for 10 years will give the club a taste of that, as Hawthorn has shown more recently.

[Ghost Dog]

Stretching the limits of credulity there.
A few weeks ago, you were lamenting that our recent success counts for nothing, and that if we don't follow up soon fans will desert. Yet this does not hold true for players somehow?

There are 20 years olds today who have never seen a successful Carlton side in their life. There are Melbourne supporters who have gone an entire lifetime without seeing a successful team; but they're both still desirable to players due to their 'brand recognition?

Clearly there is some reason why these clubs seem to still attract talent, but I'm not buying that it's due to players wanting to play there due to some lingering legacy of a brand that has long been a smelly dumpster fire. Tanking culture, dodgy payments, constant upheaval off the field. These are not things that support a strong brand as being the reason why players are still going there.

Cannot tell me that deals are not being done under the table with both these clubs.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Sadly if your from the Western Suburbs you love the West. If your born in the Eastern Suburbs you don’t like the West. Simple as that. You may notice the guys from the Eastern suburbs mostly live over the bridge. Like the interstate teams we need to focus on local talent. We are still Footscray in many peoples thoughts. To us it’s beautiful but to the others we are lower than them.
Will be difficult for us for for many more years till we can have a run of sustainable success this is our game I’m sorry.
You would be surprised at the number of WB members/ supporters living throughout the Eastern suburbs. The make up of our Club’s membership will surprise you between East/ West of Melbourne.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

.
You would be surprised at the number of WB members/ supporters living throughout the Eastern suburbs. The make up of our Club’s membership will surprise you between East/ West of Melbourne.
Iwas born in Footscray and moved to eastern suburb when 7 yo. Found virtually nil Footscray supporters and was constantly amused at the prejudice towards the west. Ditto living in London for a year. The people on one side of Thames thought those on the other side were different, foreign.

[Mofra]

.
You would be surprised at the number of WB members/ supporters living throughout the Eastern suburbs. The make up of our Club’s membership will surprise you between East/ West of Melbourne.
My second job relies on me to travel to a range of suburbs and I ask people in the crowd who they barrack for, normally get 1-2 in a group of 100 in the eastern suburbs who support the dogs and far more in the West.

[Mofra]

As for the 'destination club' thing - is the gap really that much?

Collingwood took Wells and Mayne as FA picks and were laughed at for years because of it. They gave up two first rounders for Treloar, and arguably their best pick ups were guys out of favour (Roughead and Howe) or steak knives (Crisp who has been excellent, an add on from the Beams deal).

Players chase success and we've had our turn at picking guys up during 2008-10. Some guys chase success and it just doesn't work out (e.g. Griff and Lids at GWS, and I suspect that's why Lever chose Melbourne and Lynch chose Richmond). Most of the time players move for opportunity and the guys we've picked up have generally been good in that regard (Lloyd/Crozier/Doc/Suckling).

[Eastdog]

.
You would be surprised at the number of WB members/ supporters living throughout the Eastern suburbs. The make up of our Club’s membership will surprise you between East/ West of Melbourne.

In the recently poll I started of where our fans are it was 13 to Metro West and 12 to Metro East/South East/Bayside so far. I’m one of those Bulldogs supporters who are in the east as well like a few on here so certainly not the only ones. I fly the Bulldog flag proud out my way. When I take the train I’m on matchdays I see a good number of Dogs fans coming from the eastern suburbs. Would be cool to get a breakdown of WB membership in all the councils areas of Melbourne and Victoria.

[Ghost Dog]

This is what continues to puzzle me. How is it long term dumpster fires like Melbourne and Carlton continue to attract players like Lever, May, Docherty, Marchbank and McGovern, whilst we struggle so hard. This despite recent success, off-field stability and a significantly improved bottom line, especially compared to those two clubs.
On top of that the re-signing of some young, long term talent, I'm genuinely puzzled why we don't attract higher profile recruits.

McGovern has a second child, just built a new house. Not going anywhere.

[hujsh]

McGovern has a second child, just built a new house. Not going anywhere.

McGovern being referred to is already at Carlton. I assume you're talking the West Coast variety but YHF was not

[Twodogs]

Otherwise known as the crap McGovern, or the dud brother.

[soupman]

No one good has chosen Carlton as a destination since Judd. They go there for gametime (Marchbank, Docherty, Kennedy), because it's the only club to show serious interest (Pickett, Whiley, Jones) and because they pay more than everyone else since they haven't got enough people that deserve god wages but still have to pay the salary cap, with some players like Fasolo and McGovern benefitting from that.

Melbourne somehow sell their club well recently. I guess a combination of competitive wages (no one has to take a pay cut to keep the team together), a squad that they can sell fairly well ("we have alot of high draft picks on the verge of breaking through as a team, and you're the final piece"), and being a Melbourne based team that plays at the MCG and has history (I think this appeals to the many players they have recruited from interstate clubs recently.)

I can see the appeal. If you are a good player (ie not fringe) and haven't received anything from Collingwood (very professional, good long term connections, big crowds, MCG), Richmond (good side, god environement, big crowds and MCG) or Hawthorn (Clarkson and very succesful club), then of the next tier you have in rough order:
Essendon: Unlimited big games, squad that can be awesome, big fanbase, no pay cut.
Melbourne: Play at the MCG lots, up and coming squad, no pay cut, well run, crowds are decentish. No real downside.
Carlton: Good pay, be sold a key role at a club with a big fanbase and some good timeslots, Docklands tenant though
Bulldogs: No pay cut, up and coming squad, Bevo is both pro (players coach) and a con (bizarre off field stuff like Talia/Stringer), Docklands tenant
St.Kilda: No pay cut, young squad with potential, seem to be stagnant off field and a bit directionless, Docklands tenant
North: Pay well, but don't seem to be going anywhere, play at Docklands and have small crowds.

*Keep in mind the above are how I imagine the players would feel when each player is told that club is interested in them by their agent (ie. Essendon would sell themselves as such)

[Ghost Dog]

No one good has chosen Carlton as a destination since Judd. They go there for gametime (Marchbank, Docherty, Kennedy), because it's the only club to show serious interest (Pickett, Whiley, Jones) and because they pay more than everyone else since they haven't got enough people that deserve god wages but still have to pay the salary cap, with some players like Fasolo and McGovern benefitting from that.

Melbourne somehow sell their club well recently. I guess a combination of competitive wages (no one has to take a pay cut to keep the team together), a squad that they can sell fairly well ("we have alot of high draft picks on the verge of breaking through as a team, and you're the final piece"), and being a Melbourne based team that plays at the MCG and has history (I think this appeals to the many players they have recruited from interstate clubs recently.)

I can see the appeal. If you are a good player (ie not fringe) and haven't received anything from Collingwood (very professional, good long term connections, big crowds, MCG), Richmond (good side, god environement, big crowds and MCG) or Hawthorn (Clarkson and very succesful club), then of the next tier you have in rough order:
Essendon: Unlimited big games, squad that can be awesome, big fanbase, no pay cut.
Melbourne: Play at the MCG lots, up and coming squad, no pay cut, well run, crowds are decentish. No real downside.
Carlton: Good pay, be sold a key role at a club with a big fanbase and some good timeslots, Docklands tenant though
Bulldogs: No pay cut, up and coming squad, Bevo is both pro (players coach) and a con (bizarre off field stuff like Talia/Stringer), Docklands tenant
St.Kilda: No pay cut, young squad with potential, seem to be stagnant off field and a bit directionless, Docklands tenant
North: Pay well, but don't seem to be going anywhere, play at Docklands and have small crowds.

*Keep in mind the above are how I imagine the players would feel when each player is told that club is interested in them by their agent (ie. Essendon would sell themselves as such)

Well Carlton got two for one with the Judd trade. Throw in his Mum a job at Visy, if the rumours are true. That's not bad! The point about salary cap is a good one Soupaman and nobody has benefitted more than our old friend Liam Jones. Hasn't he done well?

[Mofra]

Well Carlton got two for one with the Judd trade. Throw in his Mum a job at Visy, if the rumours are true. That's not bad! The point about salary cap is a good one Soupaman and nobody has benefitted more than our old friend Liam Jones. Hasn't he done well?
Playing good football late in his career, good luck to him.

Shows just how late talls do actually mature. Ted Richards was 28/29 when he nabbed his first nomination in the AA squad, and Shaun McKernan has been playing outstanding football in recent months.

The kid we just re-signed, Lewie Young, is 20 years old. Schache is still 21, Naughton 19. They're all ahead of the curve but I can completely understand the chase for a mature tall.