Why I'm starting to hate the trade period

[GVGjr]

This has been building over a few years now but I'm really starting to despise the way the trade period is being conducted

I get the game has moved into a more ruthless approach for many clubs but the clean out by North of contracted and non contracted players does nothing for the game as far as I am concerned. Way to build a culture North

The fire sale of 3 very good players by Collingwood and the reasons provided by the coach Nathan Buckley today is just a cover up for a series of exceptionally poor management and short term decisions by the club to back end so many player contracts and then bail out of them when a flag couldn't be won. To say that the club can make an assessment of how a player like Treloar will perform his duties because of new living arrangements he has made with his partner crosses the line of sensibility and what should be expected in the employment contract between clubs and players. "Side by side they stick together" hey?

The way Essendon chased after Josh Dunkley, who had two years to go on a contract, and the way that we fielded the offers doesn't sit well with me despite the fact that ultimately we were able to hang onto Dunkley.

To have Adelaide chase after Jackson Hately in a bid to bring him home to SA but then only offer pick 42 to GWS who have pumped two years of development into him and then pick him up in the pre-season draft isn't a good outcome for the competition from my perspective. If the AFL can plug the hole of the attempted manipulation of the Brad Crouch to StKilda effort means they should have been able to make sure that GWS was adequately compensated Hately

And finally, for many clubs the trade period has gone from acquiring players or picks to improve your list to an almost Jenny Craig type calorie counting exercise based on getting 'draft value index' points more giving something tangible to get something tangible back. Player for player trades are almost non existent


The clubs, players and their player manager leeches need to get back to the fundamentals of striking good contracts and sticking to them. How Tim Hazel allowed for Treloars contract to be back ended not once but twice to a point that he was nearly priced out of the competition is an indictment to the process

The AFL needs to bring in financial management rules that don't have clubs back ending or front loading contracts in an effort to position themselves for a short term effort at winning a flag.

Contracts shouldn't be allowed to move more than 15% of the average value of the term of the contract

Get rid of the current bidding process for NGA and perhaps we need to have a rethink of father son selections

There is some significant work to do to get this right, I'll add some more thoughts a bit later

[bulldogtragic]

To avoid afel manipulation, end free agency compo. ASAP.
Limit clubs use of free agents incoming.
End NGA players links, up to pick 52 (where free bidding currently sits).
Revert back to a fixed position on F/S.
The above ends draft points.
Wind back Northern State Academies.
Allow clubs to trade pre-season draft picks. Or, better yet kill the PSD.
With no PSD, don’t allow players refusing a contract to walk out for free/as free agents. Put them in the ND.
Clubs should continue to hold contracted players if they would like a trade but it doesn’t happen.
Have a purely untainted, Uncompromised draft process.
I don’t think tanking is what it was a few years ago. But a ballot on the bottom 4 could have merit.
Streamline the rules on top of rule on top of rules.
As long as TPP & player manager rules are enforced, you can’t stop clubs doing stupid things. If North & Collingwood think this is the best for their club, so be it.

That’s a few of my initial thoughts which may or may not have merit. Oh, and don’t drag draft night out for more than a few hours.

[Hotdog60]

I don't think the AFLPA can get out of that assessment either. They have given players more power in their movement but has it been to the detriment of equalization.
Players nominating clubs that they want to go too and reducing clubs from getting reasonable return on their development.

[jeemak]

Good posts.

I'm a bit unsure how I feel about the post season. What I am sure about though is that I have absolutely no idea how people could put themselves through listening to Trade Radio or SEN, or watching ch7 news on a daily basis throughout.

Possibly I'm a bit more cynical than you G, though I'm resigned to players coming and going now whether that be at the behest of the club or the players themselves. In principle I have no issue with players and clubs wanting to move on from each other, however, I wish they'd not conflate moving on for anything other than what it usually is (money/ business). The clubs, players and coaches have pretty much accepted it's the way of the future, it's the fans that haven't caught up.

The hype machine that drums along throughout is tiresome as well, I guess coming out of it with a far superior hand than what we entered with makes it bearable this year.

[Ghost Dog]

Given the covid situation, perhaps a lot of staff are fearing for their jobs. Being more ruthless. Wonder if this feeds into it. A more dog eat dog environment.

[Go_Dogs]

I agree with what you’ve said GVG.

It used to be an intriguing time of year (I suppose it still is) but there’s too much media, too much time to do deals, and so many clubs who don’t act in good faith (player managers too) to the detriment of their players. Some of BT’s suggestions have some merit.

[The Underdog]

I don't think the AFLPA can get out of that assessment either. They have given players more power in their movement but has it been to the detriment of equalization.
Players nominating clubs that they want to go too and reducing clubs from getting reasonable return on their development.

Pretty sure the players and AFLPA couldn’t give a shot about equalisation. They want as much cash and freedom of movement for players on their own terms as they can get.

[ledge]

I would like a no poaching players until they are in their last year of contract.
A cap on single player salary and a cap on contract years.
Player Managers on a set wage per player.

I think player managers have a lot to answer for.

Bottom 8 teams go in a raffle for the first 8 draft picks.

[FrediKanoute]

Trade week/Transfer window is a media play. Its a way of keeping momentum going on the AFL. So whilst it does not get bums on seats the constant dialiogue, speculation, lies act as click bait/ratings drivers etc. It is the same in the UK.

Trade week/Transfer window is now less about the player movements and all about the speculation and conversation that it generates.

[ledge]

Trade week/Transfer window is a media play. Its a way of keeping momentum going on the AFL. So whilst it does not get bums on seats the constant dialiogue, speculation, lies act as click bait/ratings drivers etc. It is the same in the UK.

Trade week/Transfer window is now less about the player movements and all about the speculation and conversation that it generates.

Oh that is so true, the media make up 100 trades all ifs and buts and if one works they claim to be experts.
The way social media works nowadays one reporter makes up a story and the sheep all believe it , I think 90% of the time it’s just for a click but it does cause players mentioned some criticism and Online abuse even though it’s not true.
Then the media bring up the abuse players cop but in reality they started it.

[The bulldog tragician]

Players as commodities, “Trade Radio” as entertainment, contracts that are meaningless with no consequences for clubs inducing players to break them, callous disregard for young men’s wellbeing on the one hand, greed and lack of loyalty on the other. Every year it gets harder to stomach and more disillusioning.

[Sedat]

Premiership teams are lucky to get the Sunday after the flag to have some media exposure before the scribes start talking endlessly about a borderline delist candidate having morphed into Polly Farmer overnight during the trade period.

[FrediKanoute]

Oh that is so true, the media make up 100 trades all ifs and buts and if one works they claim to be experts.
The way social media works nowadays one reporter makes up a story and the sheep all believe it , I think 90% of the time it’s just for a click but it does cause players mentioned some criticism and Online abuse even though it’s not true.
Then the media bring up the abuse players cop but in reality they started it.

Think about it though. As a news agency your revenues on your web page are all about hits. More hits, the mort you can charge for advertising space. Its actually in your interests to make up "fake news" so that people click. More clicks = more views = more advertising revenue. Trade week is not about the players its about the media and advertising slots.

I would go so far as to argue that Mission loved the fact that Dunks was targeted, because it go the Mission sponsored Bulldogs into the news.

[Ghost Dog]

I think this year people were happy to have the distraction to be fair.

[The Adelaide Connection]

I would like a no poaching players until they are in their last year of contract.
A cap on single player salary and a cap on contract years.
Player Managers on a set wage per player.

I think player managers have a lot to answer for.

Bottom 8 teams go in a raffle for the first 8 draft picks.

When it is a case of several clubs offering the same money I am sure agents are able to act more objectively and in the best interests of their client.

But Pickering stands to earn a huge bonus if Dunkley signs with Essendon (from both the 5% or whatever from the contract and also from his share of what they were likely going to offer above and beyond commercially on the side. One wonders if any managerial advice in this type of circumstance points in the direction of the giant sacks of cash.

[FrediKanoute]

I have less of an issue with player agents. They are there to get the best deal for their player period. They are not there for the clubs. For every Dunkley, there is a Trengove or a Porter where the player manager will do a load of work and it will come to nothing (I suppose Dunks came to nothing as well). The industry tends to spit out the player managers that take too hard a line looking after their self interest. Pickers must have felt that a) he had a reasonable chance of getting Dunks to Essendon; and b) the pay day for DUnks would have been well worth it.

[ledge]

I have less of an issue with player agents. They are there to get the best deal for their player period. They are not there for the clubs. For every Dunkley, there is a Trengove or a Porter where the player manager will do a load of work and it will come to nothing (I suppose Dunks came to nothing as well). The industry tends to spit out the player managers that take too hard a line looking after their self interest. Pickers must have felt that a) he had a reasonable chance of getting Dunks to Essendon; and b) the pay day for DUnks would have been well worth it.

But Pickering obviously told him to sign a three year deal with us, that’s a hypocrite wouldn’t you think ?
Sign for three years and after one he is trying to get him out of it ?

[jeemak]

But Pickering obviously told him to sign a three year deal with us, that’s a hypocrite wouldn’t you think ?
Sign for three years and after one he is trying to get him out of it ?

Not really, because at the time that was the deal on the table.

Pickering said Dunkley wanted to get to Essendon because it was a far superior deal, though also said his client would fulfill his current contract professionally if it couldn't be done.

Nothing wrong with that.

[ledge]

Not really, because at the time that was the deal on the table.

Pickering said Dunkley wanted to get to Essendon because it was a far superior deal, though also said his client would fulfill his current contract professionally if it couldn't be done.

Nothing wrong with that.

Thing is I could make a better offer but if you do you must go through with it.
Essendon dropped Dunkley like a hot potato.
All they did was end up putting Dunkley in an awkward situation.
Maybe Essendon had no intention of getting him at all this year but wanted to start doubt for the next year or so in Dunkleys mind about staying at the club.
I hope Dunkley sees that the bombers ran away when it mattered and we can bring him back to loving our club.

[FrediKanoute]

But Pickering obviously told him to sign a three year deal with us, that’s a hypocrite wouldn’t you think ?
Sign for three years and after one he is trying to get him out of it ?

In the absence of a better deal, Pickering gave the right advice. 12 months later a better deal emerges. Pickering would be doing Dunks a disservice if they didn't try to orchestrate the deal! At the end of the day the decision to seek the trade and come out publicly was Dunk's. That's why to me its all about Dunks, not Pickering.

[FrediKanoute]

Thing is I could make a better offer but if you do you must go through with it.
Essendon dropped Dunkley like a hot potato.
All they did was end up putting Dunkley in an awkward situation.
Maybe Essendon had no intention of getting him at all this year but wanted to start doubt for the next year or so in Dunkleys mind about staying at the club.
I hope Dunkley sees that the bombers ran away when it mattered and we can bring him back to loving our club.

Ahhhh...hammer....nail....head! That position was made worse by Dunks coming out publicly. Classic rule in business is you don't threaten to leave......you leave! No point p*ssing around. The issues that caused you to want to leave are likely still there and to be honest what you do is hand your employer the initiative. Would not surprise me if Dunks is on the trade table next year....

[jeemak]

Ahhhh...hammer....nail....head! That position was made worse by Dunks coming out publicly. Classic rule in business is you don't threaten to leave......you leave! No point p*ssing around. The issues that caused you to want to leave are likely still there and to be honest what you do is hand your employer the initiative. Would not surprise me if Dunks is on the trade table next year....

I think Ledge was talking about the bummers.

I don't see Dunkley going anywhere. Essendon has made him and his family look a bit silly....not by what they weren't prepared to do, rather, by the pittance they were prepared to offer. We stated it needed to be two good first round picks to get him across, Essendon waited the entire trade period to offer one good first round and a future second round, when they had those picks the entire time they were talking to us. If they had have offered them straight up, and disclosed what they thought would genuinely get it done THEN we could have actually started negotiating.

There is no way we wouldn't have taken pick 6-8 and something around pick 12-14 to get Dunkley to Essendon. We were into it.

[ledge]

Ahhhh...hammer....nail....head! That position was made worse by Dunks coming out publicly. Classic rule in business is you don't threaten to leave......you leave! No point p*ssing around. The issues that caused you to want to leave are likely still there and to be honest what you do is hand your employer the initiative. Would not surprise me if Dunks is on the trade table next year....

He didn’t threaten to leave , he had two years of a contract to go so he couldn’t “ threaten to leave “
To threaten is to mean he will do something if he doesn’t go, which wasn’t the case.
The truth is probably he was given an offer and told the bulldogs about it and would like to explore it .
He didn’t burn any bridges at the club and to be honest probably woke the club up to a few problems, always a good thing.
Now the question is were they a club problem or a Dunkley problem ?
The club “Ameet Bain’s “ seem to allude it was a club issue as he carefully answered the questions with “issues will be worked out and he will back in the fold by pre season training “
What happened with Dunkley could be a godsend for the club, one of the supposed issues was rucking and we have solved that one.
Maybe we might see Dunkley given an extension and more $$$ if he plays well.
To be honest I don’t see essendon chasing him again.