Sam Power, List Boss - From Start to Now

[bulldogtragic]

A synopsis of what he has done in charge of the list. He obviously has re-signed players so that is baked into this cake. As are Draft Points Trades which obviously work for us.


First List Management Period - 2018

Power inherited a loss of his now future Second Rounder 2017 to Carlton which was a part of securing Schache, primarily by Chris Grant with JMac all but out the door (thank god). So heading into 2018 Power has a 1st, 3rd & 4th Rounder. No a heap to work with.

First thing was to offer Dahlhaus a contract that would secure Second Round compo when he walked out. He allowed Mr Motovation to walk and got himself a full hand again.

Trades In:

Sam Lloyd, Pick 64 (won the goal kicking before retiring)
Doc Duryea, Future 4th (ended up being Pick 59)

Trades Out:

Jordan Roughead, Pick 75 (just to get him to his destination of choice. The classy move by Power and the club)
Marcus Adams, Pick 32 & Future Third linked to Hawks (This is the one that opens thing up. Some were annoyed that Power demanded a Top 30 Pick and didn’t get it. Pick 32 isn’t the lynchpin for the next brilliant years, the demand of a Future Third, but not their Future Third. The one linked to Hawthorn. Brisbane finished 2nd, Hawthorn 9th. That’s a seven pick upgrade in that demand)

Draft:

Bailey Smith
Rhylee West (with Draft Points from Dahlhaus compo)
Laitham Vandermeer
Ben Cavarra
Will Hayes (Power used the (then) new pass rule to push our pick back for a free hit on a VFL Player, and below)
Buku Khamis - Cat B Rookie owing to not being drafted in the National Draft
Lachie Young
Jordan Sweet

Live Traded Out Pick 46 for a Future Third tied to St Kilda. The pick was on traded to Adelaide (in part) to get Keath in 2019.
The Future Third tied to Hawthorn, was on traded to St Kilda (in part) for Bruce in 2019


Second List Management Period - 2019

Mid Season Draft - Ryan Gardner

Trades In:

Josh Bruce (Pick 32 - Plus Pick 51 from the Adams Trade in 2018. Without it there’s no way we can land Bruce, Keath & Keep our First Rounder. The only way would be to hamstring our 2020 Picks, used in part on Treloar)
Alex Keath (Pick 45 from the 2018 Live Trade and Future swap. The Future swap cost a couple of hundred Draft Points and was absolutely inconsequential)
Live Trade In Pick 62 (Riley Garcia)

Draft:

Cody Weightman
Louis Butler
Riley Garcia


Third List Management Period - 2020

Refused trade: Dunkley

Trades In:

Stef Martin (Essentially for Lachie Young, who walked out)
Mitch Hannan (Future Third Rounder, currently Pick 55 before compo shuffles it passed Pick 60)
Adam Treloar (Draft Points Trade. In real terms currently costing us Pick 37 - less points surplus. Plus $1.5M salary)
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan secures without a deficit at Pick 1
Other Draft Points Trades


Trades Out:

Lachie Young - who walked out in a three club trade that got us Stef Martin.

Draft:

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Dominic Bedendo
Lachie McNeal
Anthony Scott (SSP After Sam Lloyd Retired)
*Roarke Smith


Summary:

Sam Power walks in 2018 missing a Second Rounder and ensures Second Round compo for Dahlhaus. Despite needing a CHB, especially if Adams ever gets fit (if...) moves him on to secure Rhylee West and the crucial Future Third pick (tied to Hawthorn) & Future Third Pick (tied to St Kilda) that opens up 2019 and arguably 2020 by giving us the extra decent Picks in the Third Round which was just enough with our Second Rounder to placate St Kilda & Adelaide. Power’s trading in 2018, his first list management period, set up the outstanding result in 2019. Which means keeping the Pick for Weightman and not interfering too much into 2020 and the many picks we needed for Jamarra. Reverse engineered, Adams wanting a trade and Power granting it but holding out for top dollar was the moment. Unfortunately for Marcus he’s only played 25 games in 3 years for Brisbane and is out for a while again. History says that this trade was great for us and the flow on of trades it’s assisted. While refusing a Dunkley trade may be just as good. Power re-signs everyone he wants, only trades the ones he’s happy to let go for an advantage and targets important players.

Something which he seems to have a real strength in, not often mentioned, is that he can pick the future arguably better than any other List Boss. Collingwood and Carlton’s problems stem from overestimating their lists and/or underestimating other lists when Future Picks are considered. Power was dead right to get the Hawthorn (9th) linked Future Pick off Brisbane and not theirs (2nd). The Future Pick for Duryea we finished top 8 so that was another one. Trading out Pick 46 in 2018 for a Future Third, roughly the same but for use in securing Alex Keath and not another kid, he got it bang on, it was tied to St Kilda who finished 14th. The Pick Swap with Adelaide with brilliant in terms of where he predicted they’d finish and where we would making the difference inconsequential. The outstanding Future Picks for Treloar (37+)and Hannan (55+) again, brilliant assessments. He hasn’t got one wrong, which is essentially neutralising the risk that other clubs expose themselves to with future swaps. If he’s wanting to do a Future Trade with a club, that club should get very worried about either how bad they’re going to be or how good we are going to be. Or both. It’s almost like the Robert De Niro character in Casino, if Sam Power makes a wager the futures market, all odds would change instantly. In a year when Future Trades &/or Draft Point Deficits are going to be all but certain, it’s good to know our List Boss has a sixth sense for this aspect.

Under his watch this is the mere Three Year, Sam Power, Best 22:

B: R. Smith Gardner Khamis
HB: Butler Keath Duryea
C: Scott Dunkley Garcia
HF: McNeil Ugle-Hagan Vandermeer
F: Weightman Bruce Hannan
R: Martin Treloar B. Smith
Int: West, Sweet, Hayes, Cavarra
Emerg: Sam Lloyd, Lachie Young
Salary: Collingwood $1,500,000

While he is still holding 2021 First & Fourth Rounders and Priority Access to several potential players including Sam Darcy. There’s apparently still some room in the salary cap too.

That’s some first three years as List Boss.

[bornadog]

He really has been the Catalyst of the mini rebuild since the Premiership :)

[Dancin' Douggy]

Maybe I'm too sentimental, but the only mis-step I see there is letting Roughead walk out. Lifelong bulldog supporter, Solid citizen and loved teammate. Bulldog premiership player. Back up ruck/tall defender, EXACTLY the player we've needed since he left. Still get a little twinge of sadness seeing him in a Collingwood jumper.

Aside from that it's been utterly brilliant.

[GVGjr]

Maybe I'm too sentimental, but the only mis-step I see there is letting Roughead walk out. Lifelong bulldog supporter, Solid citizen and loved teammate. Bulldog premiership player. Back up ruck/tall defender, EXACTLY the player we've needed since he left. Still get a little twinge of sadness seeing him in a Collingwood jumper.

Aside from that it's been utterly brilliant.

I'm not sure we can attribute that to Power but I agree we should have maintained him.
B-Mac has criticized for playing Roughead as a defender and yet the Collingwood supporters I talk to think he has performed well there and Buckley got it right.

At some point we are going to have to stop tinkering around the edges with our list management approach and be prepared to make the hard calls. We have traditionally been too passive with our changes each year maintaining marginal talent but I think that falls more onto Bevo and the coaches than Power and the recruiting team.

[The Doctor]

Sam has been excellent no doubt about it. His contract negotiations and trade negotiations have been brilliant.

The one area that hasn't been addressed properly concerning our list is the ruck situation. I'm not sure if that is Sam's call or Bevo's or someone else. But it has been poorly handled. Last year we only had 2 young rucks and I think it cost us a final. Bringing Martin in showed in the first 6-7 rounds how important the issue of having a competitive ruckman is. Martin however was always a risk given his age and struggle with injury in his last year with the Lions.

Why did we keep Hayes & Cavarra on the list? Experienced depth perhaps but they have never really shown anything at AFL level despite being excellent VFL players. These guys are in their mid 20's and on the rookie list. Places on the list that would have been better served with a ruckman, or a key defender or a small forward/goalsneak.

I hope these are addressed this year.

[bulldogtragic]

Sam has been excellent no doubt about it. His contract negotiations and trade negotiations have been brilliant.

The one area that hasn't been addressed properly concerning our list is the ruck situation. I'm not sure if that is Sam's call or Bevo's or someone else. But it has been poorly handled. Last year we only had 2 young rucks and I think it cost us a final. Bringing Martin in showed in the first 6-7 rounds how important the issue of having a competitive ruckman is. Martin however was always a risk given his age and struggle with injury in his last year with the Lions.

Why did we keep Hayes & Cavarra on the list? Experienced depth perhaps but they have never really shown anything at AFL level despite being excellent VFL players. These guys are in their mid 20's and on the rookie list. Places on the list that would have been better served with a ruckman, or a key defender or a small forward/goalsneak.

I hope these are addressed this year.

I completely agree on our lack of rucks. I’m hoping the handful of games Martin played demonstrates why this is priority one this year. Hopefully Bevo does too with two rucks in the 22 next year. If Bevo wants English solo with Bruce/Schache then it might be a fringe ruck that doesn’t do much for the list.

I agree and disagree equally on Hayes & Cavarra. I agree they really shouldn’t have been directly put on the RL based on skill and career output. At the same time, it was perhaps the safe choice with so much junior footy cancelled, especially in Victoria the risk of bust selections was perhaps higher. The group got to stay a little more together too. That generous argument aside, both boys need to head back to the VFL. They’re good vfl players which is no mean feat, but they are not AFL players unfortunately for them. But they got a crack at the big time which is again, no mean feat.

On the Roughead posts above. If Bevo told Power he wasn’t going to select him and saw no future in him. Sam Power had no real choice other than to trade Roughy to his club of choice. I wouldn’t lay that on Power.

[jeemak]

I'm not sure we can attribute that to Power but I agree we should have maintained him.
B-Mac has criticized for playing Roughead as a defender and yet the Collingwood supporters I talk to think he has performed well there and Buckley got it right.

At some point we are going to have to stop tinkering around the edges with our list management approach and be prepared to make the hard calls. We have traditionally been too passive with our changes each year maintaining marginal talent but I think that falls more onto Bevo and the coaches than Power and the recruiting team.

I get what you're saying but it's hard to argue with our current path in lieu of us sitting top of the ladder and awaiting players to come back to make us stronger.

No doubt you can look at players and suggest they're not getting a game presently and probably won't for the rest of the year, but at the same time if they were called upon they could probably perform at a level that wouldn't hurt us too badly. And I think that's something we've tried to foster over the years.

There's a view the talent pool is stretched, and resources to unlock talent that isn't obvious are reasonably limited. With that in mind I can kind of understand why we hang on to the likes of Cavarra, Hayes and Jong etc. for longer than we might like.

It's a fine balance between perpetually turning over players and continually developing and we probably have it about right now. After 2016 we turned over a huge amount of players, and we are where we are even though folks wanted us to turn over more. Now we're in a position where possibly one or two positions on the list out of ~40 are in the gun after a huge amount of turnover, and we've used everyone except these players this year and have fourteen wins on the board.

Additionally, it seems we're OK in terms of dollars in the cap ready to go to either sign players or keep players. That's probably the biggest part of the job for a list like ours and from what we hear, Sam's approach is working. The lack of BS around the re-signing of Bont was astounding given his position in the game, but it was done with ease and minimal fuss.

[jeemak]

Sam has been excellent no doubt about it. His contract negotiations and trade negotiations have been brilliant.

The one area that hasn't been addressed properly concerning our list is the ruck situation. I'm not sure if that is Sam's call or Bevo's or someone else. But it has been poorly handled. Last year we only had 2 young rucks and I think it cost us a final. Bringing Martin in showed in the first 6-7 rounds how important the issue of having a competitive ruckman is. Martin however was always a risk given his age and struggle with injury in his last year with the Lions.

Why did we keep Hayes & Cavarra on the list? Experienced depth perhaps but they have never really shown anything at AFL level despite being excellent VFL players. These guys are in their mid 20's and on the rookie list. Places on the list that would have been better served with a ruckman, or a key defender or a small forward/goalsneak.

I hope these are addressed this year.

Well made points, though the only counter I'd have to that is why bring in a ruck if you're not going to play them? Whether it's right or wrong is clearly debatable, but as a recruiter you can do whatever you like to try and entice a ruck to come to us, but if that ruck knows he's unlikely to get a game why would he come?

The recruiting of Martin has opened up some genuine discussion around what we should be doing in the ruck space, but even though he showed how our structure can benefit from the presence of a better than solid first ruck we've tried Sweet and shelved him after a few games.

I can't put this on Power, this is a MC preference issue. So again, given the MC's attitude to particular types of rucks are well known, what hope do we have in finding one that suits us? As MJP has told us previously, teams pay a shitload just to have rucks sitting around, and I don't think that's going to be something we will want to do in lieu of our salary cap management principles.

[bulldogtragic]

I was just looking at Ameet Bains at St Kilda. He had 6 List Management Periods impressing the footy world as the List Boss. This is Sam Power’s fourth LMP impressing the footy world. I wonder how long can we retain him for? Power is destined for bigger and better things. Maybe another two or three LMPs might be hopeful or good even in the reality that good operators find promotions. I’m not seeing Grant or Bains leaving the club, so it’s probably elsewhere.

[jeemak]

I was just looking at Ameet Bains at St Kilda. He had 6 List Management Periods impressing the footy world as the List Boss. This is Sam Power’s fourth LMP impressing the footy world. I wonder how long can we retain him for? Power is destined for bigger and better things. Maybe another two or three LMPs might be hopeful or good even in the reality that good operators find promotions. I’m not seeing Grant or Bains leaving the club, so it’s probably elsewhere.

I wouldn't be surprised if Grant moved to another role, or just went onto the board and did something else. I don't think he's a CEO type, so that would leave Bains able to stay and room for Power to progress.

[bulldogtragic]

So the legend grows.

A. Looks like Pick 36 for Treloar

B. Looks like Pick 57 for Hannan

C. Another Draft Point Trade today Netting 499 Draft Points

D. Sam in two years has turned Picks 14 & 17 into 1,025 NET MORE DRAFT POINTS. (526 last year)

E. 1,025 Net Extra Draft Points =Pick 17. So Sam turned DPs worth 14 & 17 - into - 14, 17 & 17.

That (D & E) is beyond mind blowing. I look at Draft Points trades regularly, and it’s not even close to being matched since the inception of Draft Points, being over 1,000 more Draft Points (= Pick 17), let alone in just two trades, let alone to get you the best KPP in each draft, let alone enough for Pick 1 & Pick 3. He is doing the seemingly impossible.

Sam won’t ever get crowned winner of Trade Week, but he is Bontempelli to everyone’s Lewis Taylor.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

So the legend grows.

A. Looks like Pick 36 for Treloar

B. Looks like Pick 57 for Hannan

C. Another Draft Point Trade today Netting 499 Draft Points

D. Sam in two years has turned Picks 14 & 17 into 1,025 NET MORE DRAFT POINTS. (526 last year)

E. 1,025 Net Extra Draft Points =Pick 17. So Sam turned DPs worth 14 & 17 - into - 14, 17 & 17.

That (D & E) is beyond mind blowing. I look at Draft Points trades regularly, and it’s not even close to being matched since the inception of Draft Points, being over 1,000 more Draft Points (= Pick 17), let alone in just two trades, let alone to get you the best KPP in each draft, let alone enough for Pick 1 & Pick 3. He is doing the seemingly impossible.

Sam won’t ever get crowned winner of Trade Week, but he is Bontempelli to everyone’s Lewis Taylor.

It really is a remarkable job.

My question is how do we keep him? What are his ambitions beyond list manager and how do we facilitate that within our own club!?

[bulldogtragic]

It really is a remarkable job.

My question is how do we keep him? What are his ambitions beyond list manager and how do we facilitate that within our own club!?

I want to keep him at all costs. There’s only two jobs for advancement. Bains isn’t going anywhere. Chris Grant transfer of power perhaps. The other clubs and the AFEL itself will come for him. If we can show him a pathway to advancement with us maybe he stays at Head of Footy. Tough call on Turtle unless he wants to pursue other career options.

[1eyedog]

I want to keep him at all costs. There’s only two jobs for advancement. Bains isn’t going anywhere. Chris Grant transfer of power perhaps. The other clubs and the AFEL itself will come for him. If we can show him a pathway to advancement with us maybe he stays at Head of Footy. Tough call on Turtle unless he wants to pursue other career options.

Get him in the ruck.

[GVGjr]

I think he has a few more plays in this trade period:
Can he turn pick 23 (815 points) into 900 + points with some more positioning?

[Twodogs]

Get him in the ruck.

He's taller than John Nicholls and he wasn't bad.

[Vred]

Really hoping his working on some deal to pull an unforeseen ruck out of nowhere during this trade period..

[Grantysghost]

It really is a remarkable job.

My question is how do we keep him? What are his ambitions beyond list manager and how do we facilitate that within our own club!?

We've got BT waiting in the wings thankfully if Sam the Man does go on to greater things :cool:

[kruder]

Really hoping his working on some deal to pull an unforeseen ruck out of nowhere during this trade period..

Are you ever positive on anything bulldogs related?

[1eyedog]

Are you ever positive on anything bulldogs related?

He definitely is but he's anxious like many of us regarding the ruck situation.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Yeah the ruck is our no 1 problem. We’ve all assumed we had a plan. When Strauchn from Adelaide re-signed, we assumed we had someone lined up. Let’s not go nuts just yet as the trade period has a ways to go. But it’s certainly a concerning situation right now.

[Vred]

Are you ever positive on anything bulldogs related?


I'm a rusted on die hard and have been since i was as single-digit kid, but yeah I can be critical of the club because I want to see the best for them, we clearly do some things that are unorthodox and that can be a good or bad thing, but sometimes the club goes way out and pulls dumb moves that has me scratching my head as an AFL lover.

As 1eye said, I'm very anxious about us fixing our ruck problem this trade period, because frankly we just got completely pantsed in a grand final by over 100 points in a quarter and ahalf and you can contribute alot of that to lack of ruck domination. Melbourne isn't going backwards, and we need to improve our list to compete.

Sorry if my posting reads negatively to you, but sitting here watching every ''viable'' ruck that is floating around the market be signed by other clubs does make me scratch my head, and I am hoping Power can pull some magic and do something that none of us can see (media included)

[bornadog]

Sorry if my posting reads negatively to you, but sitting here watching every ''viable'' ruck that is floating around the market be signed by other clubs does make me scratch my head, and I am hoping Power can pull some magic and do something that none of us can see (media included)

Realistically, which rucks can we go for?

[Vred]

Realistically, which rucks can we go for?

If Ceglar is off to the Cats then I have no idea to be honest.
Ladhams, wants to be a number 1 ruck, just hitting that age, seen enough of him to know his got something to work with, but according to the media, we're not into him.
Lynch would be ahead of Sweet but not by much, according to the media, we're not into him.

There was talk on BF a few weeks back that we were in heavy talks with an ''injured ruck who didn't play this season'' but that hit a road block, and another poster said we were trying to talk Nank out of leaving Richmond, but again nothing.

So, no idea man, I have alot of faith in power but we don't really have the capitol to pry a listed ruckman out as it is, and most of the state-leaguers have been snapped up or are committed to clubs already.

[bornadog]

If Ceglar is off to the Cats then I have no idea to be honest.
Ladhams, wants to be a number 1 ruck, just hitting that age, seen enough of him to know his got something to work with, but according to the media, we're not into him.
Lynch would be ahead of Sweet but not by much, according to the media, we're not into him.

There was talk on BF a few weeks back that we were in heavy talks with an ''injured ruck who didn't play this season'' but that hit a road block, and another poster said we were trying to talk Nank out of leaving Richmond, but again nothing.

So, no idea man, I have alot of faith in power but we don't really have the capitol to pry a listed ruckman out as it is, and most of the state-leaguers have been snapped up or are committed to clubs already.

It is hard.

Hopefully Sam can get us someone, as I don't think Steph can last a season and we need a mature body.

[soupman]

Realistically, which rucks can we go for?

Sorry that's a cop out. I know the market isn't overly impressive atm but if we come away from this with nothing, or worse, Mason Cox, as the solution to our ruck problem then thats a fail.

Its not a new issue, we should have addressed it last year and while Martin was kind of a stop gap he was never going to be the solution.

I like Power and have been impressed with what he's done, but our shopping list this year is exactly the same as last (someone who can be a starting ruck and a good tall defender) and atm we look like not filling either if those positions for the second year running, which is especially infuriating considering even just one of those is likely the difference between us winning a flag and not.

[comrade]

Surely next year’s first (and more) is on the table for a genuine plug and play #1 ruck?

[bornadog]

Sorry that's a cop out. I know the market isn't overly impressive atm but if we come away from this with nothing, or worse, Mason Cox, as the solution to our ruck problem then thats a fail.

Its not a new issue, we should have addressed it last year and while Martin was kind of a stop gap he was never going to be the solution.

I like Power and have been impressed with what he's done, but our shopping list this year is exactly the same as last (someone who can be a starting ruck and a good tall defender) and atm we look like not filling either if those positions for the second year running, which is especially infuriating considering even just one of those is likely the difference between us winning a flag and not.

Not a cop out at all. I was interested in seeing who Vred suggest we go for?

[soupman]

Not a cop out at all. I was interested in seeing who Vred suggest we go for?

Anybody.

There is no way that in a league that must have minimum 40 rucks, half of which are gagging for more gametime, and the vast majority of which would cost max a future second, that the only options we had were a cooked Martin and -blank-.

Cellar would be an acceptable result but it seems increasingly likely that a/ hes not for us and b/ there's nobody else in the queue.

[FrediKanoute]

Getting another ruck would be great, but I think keeping Sweet, seeing english develop for another year and eeking games out of Martin is actually not a bad strategy for 2022 if a decent ruck is not available.

I get English played poorly in the GF, but his games against Essendon/Brissy/Port in the lead up were excellent. If I was rating his season it would be a big tick and a step forward in his development. Give him 2 more years and he will be dominating!

On Sweet, I liked what I saw. Yes he got monstered by more experienced rucks, but honestly he's played 6 games of league footy. I think as a club we got this one wrong and would have been better missing the GF, but getting him to 15 games. He is competitive, strong and the type of ruck we would be crying for if we et him go.

Martin, we managed poorly! He should play 2 weeks on 1 week off. No more.

[Jeanette54]

Now it might be that we are covertly progressing our way to a major trade, to cover or known deficiencies.... but nothing I can see on any major trade news sites would indicate that this is the case.

What do you think, are we flying below the radar, or are we just not in the hunt ?

[bornadog]

Now it might be that we are covertly progressing our way to a major trade, to cover or known deficiencies.... but nothing I can see on any major trade news sites would indicate that this is the case.

What do you think, are we flying below the radar, or are we just not in the hunt ?

I think Sam is not one to let any journos know what we are up to.

[bulldogtragic]

Sam said on the Road to the Draft podcast earlier this year that initially the focus was on drafting and now it’s flipped to trading owing to where the list is. I hope he follows through trading for list improvement in the last days of the trade period. Starting with the easy stuff like TOB and building up to more meaningful trades to improve the list.

[bornadog]

Sam is a tough nut to crack - good on him. The other list managers must hate dealing with the iceman

[bulldogtragic]

If Sam can pull off 5 worthy trades in under the last hour of the trade period he deserves a raise.

[FrediKanoute]

So are we happy with how the Iceman has gone?

I think I am.

The BS position was unteneble and not a place you want to negotiate from, but the club had a couple of clear secondary objectives being creating cap room for deals next year. Sad to see Caleb and Jack go, but both were fringe in a year where statistically we should have gone deeper into September.

[GVGjr]

So are we happy with how the Iceman has gone?

I think I am.

The BS position was unteneble and not a place you want to negotiate from, but the club had a couple of clear secondary objectives being creating cap room for deals next year. Sad to see Caleb and Jack go, but both were fringe in a year where statistically we should have gone deeper into September.

He's done okay but are we missing out of getting more deals done by holding back to so late in proceedings?
We had no real hand to play so we had to move on players to give us a better chance.

[ShibbyUp]

Thought we'd try to trade in to the first round of the draft so we could at least avoid the threat of Geelong walking Smith through the national draft.

Not a conventional play but better than just stonewalling for a better pick imo

[jazzadogs]

Thought we'd try to trade in to the first round of the draft so we could at least avoid the threat of Geelong walking Smith through the national draft.

Not a conventional play but better than just stonewalling for a better pick imo

But there was no way we would waste the currency of a first round pick on him, in that situation. Cats would have called our bluff there 100%.

[jazzadogs]

He's done okay but are we missing out of getting more deals done by holding back to so late in proceedings?
We had no real hand to play so we had to move on players to give us a better chance.

I don't think so.

Holding out on the Daniel and Macrae deals got us better value.

Not for the first time, we were flexible during the period in selecting a player who became available in Kennedy, at a fair price.

I think Power uses his time effectively and remains fluid and flexible - if he can utilise picks (the Macrae to Kennedy transition a good example) across a number of trades he will do it.

My issue with him would be that he doesn't let a star who has shown interest in leaving fall out of contract again. We had a very weak trade hand because of decisions made last year.

[bornadog]

I think Sam did very well to get pick 25 for Daniel.

[bulldogtragic]

In totality, I thought Sam did well. BS walked, Jack & CD wanted out (North said they’d been talking to him for a long time).

Sam knew he needed affordable replacements. He identified Kennedy and XOH, although GWS refused our revised offer at the last minute.

So, with three guys wanting out, he got 17, 25 & Kennedy (top 10 B&F this year).

He was also prepared to trade the F1 to get into the first round so this might still happen. 35 & 48 should be enough hopefully to but 27 or 28 in points trades. So I do t think Sam is done yet. I don’t think we’ve lost anything by waiting as GWS still refused to deal and Barrass & Houston didn’t change their minds. In fact if we do get up to 27/28, it will be because we waited on North in order to keep 48. By waiting we got Kennedy I think at a pair price, allowing us to keep 35, which again could see us move up.

I posted during the week this period was about the players. He traded the guys who wanted out for the best return and got Kennedy. He’s got a month to keep wheeling and dealing on our draft hand. I think he’s going to be proactive and watch this space.

[Sedat]

The Paul Connors interview this morning on SEN was quite illuminating. He could not have been more effusive in his praise of Sam Power:

"Sam Power is very good at his job"
"Don't even waste your time threatening someone like Sam Power, he will just laugh in your face"

[bulldogsthru&thru]

The Paul Connors interview this morning on SEN was quite illuminating. He could not have been more effusive in his praise of Sam Power:

"Sam Power is very good at his job"
"Don't even waste your time threatening someone like Sam Power, he will just laugh in your face"

He's a much better operator than Pickering. I get the angst in how managers block players from speaking to other clubs but that's just the role of grubby agents. The regulations on trade is what needs to be fixed but the AFEL is too incompetent to worry about that.

Also what is the point on free agency? It doesn't exist when players can just nominate a club and force their way there anyway.

[comrade]

He's a much better operator than Pickering. I get the angst in how managers block players from speaking to other clubs but that's just the role of grubby agents. The regulations on trade is what needs to be fixed but the AFEL is too incompetent to worry about that.

Also what is the point on free agency? It doesn't exist when players can just nominate a club and force their way there anyway.

Clubs like ours can?t let valuable/required players get out of contract. They either extend or we shop them around a year early if we want to maximise value. We should have learned that lesson with Dunkley and moved Floglenka on last trade period. Hopefully this year?s experience reinforces it.

[bulldogtragic]

Clubs like ours can?t let valuable/required players get out of contract. They either extend or we shop them around a year early if we want to maximise value. We should have learned that lesson with Dunkley and moved Floglenka on last trade period. Hopefully this year?s experience reinforces it.

Like it or not, that’s our reality now unless the AFEL step in to protect smaller clubs and the power imbalance players have. Fans won’t like seeing guys go under contract either, they didn’t last night, but we have a choice between the lesser of two evils. For example, if Marra won’t extend next year, I’d shop him and combine his $1M salary with out large salary cap space and shop big.

[Axe Man]

Clubs like ours can?t let valuable/required players get out of contract. They either extend or we shop them around a year early if we want to maximise value. We should have learned that lesson with Dunkley and moved Floglenka on last trade period. Hopefully this year?s experience reinforces it.

Should we have shopped Bont, Richards and Darcy this trade period then?

Clearly it has to be a case by case basis, not a blanket rule.

[bornadog]

Clubs like ours can?t let valuable/required players get out of contract. They either extend or we shop them around a year early if we want to maximise value. We should have learned that lesson with Dunkley and moved Floglenka on last trade period. Hopefully this year?s experience reinforces it.

Thinking about it, it must be hard to know if the player is going to be around. We are either very confident we are going to re-sign these players or just plain unlucky they change their mind through a monster offer. We should have known Dunkley was leaving after the Essendon episode, so that was a bad move.

Big names next year are The Bont, Ed and Darcy. Ed is the only concern for me, and we better be confident he will be around, otherwise, we should have shopped him now.

Edit: Didn't see Axeman's post that says the same.

[comrade]

Like it or not, that’s our reality now unless the AFEL step in to protect smaller clubs and the power imbalance players have. Fans won’t like seeing guys go under contract either, they didn’t last night, but we have a choice between the lesser of two evils. For example, if Marra won’t extend next year, I’d shop him and combine his $1M salary with out large salary cap space and shop big.

Absolutely. If young players don?t want to extend or want to move prior to free agency, cash them in and get more talent in. We made good list decisions with Jacko and Caleb, but are willing to do the same if they?re under 25.

[Grantysghost]

Should we have shopped Bont, Richards and Darcy this trade period then?
Richards yes.

[bornadog]

Richards yes.

Wasn't there an article saying Ed was close to re-signing?

[comrade]

Thinking about it, it must be hard to know if the player is going to be around. We are either very confident we are going to re-sign these players or just plain unlucky they change their mind through a monster offer. We should have known Dunkley was leaving after the Essendon episode, so that was a bad move.

Big names next year are The Bont, Ed and Darcy. Ed is the only concern for me, and we better be confident he will be around, otherwise, we should have shopped him now.

Dunks and Floglenka were both obvious flight risks. I get missing out on the Dunkley one, but we should have moved mullet boy last year. Would have secured a much better deal and not dealt with all the bullshit throughout the year.

[comrade]

Richards yes.

I agree but we must be very confident he?ll re-sign. I don?t think anyone could say the same of Dunkley or Floglenka.

[bornadog]

Dunks and Floglenka were both obvious flight risks. I get missing out on the Dunkley one, but we should have moved mullet boy last year. Would have secured a much better deal and not dealt with all the bullshit throughout the year.

I wonder why we didn't? Did he give the club some indication he was staying?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

We should have a good idea who intends to stay and who doesn't based on extension negotiations. I suppose it gets tricky though if the player wants to hold off in order to boost their value from a good year. But surely we've got to get a feel for this and point out to said player/manager we need intent as we don't want to get reamed at trade time again.

Richards is a slight concern for mine. Marra is a huge concern. If he isn't extended next year then he should absolutely be shipped off.

[Axe Man]

Richards yes.

Externally he has made the right noises about re-sigining. Internally we don't know but there certainly haven't been any rumblings like there were for Smith 12 months ago. Trading Richards out now would have been a disaster for our midfield next season unless we were really not confident of obtaining his signature during this off season.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Wasn't there an article saying Ed was close to re-signing?

Yes there was. His response was quite strong about re-signing. Not the typical bs you get from ppl like Dunkley and Floglenka.

However we're all a bit distrusting so we'll never know.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I wonder why we didn't? Did he give the club some indication he was staying?

Supposedly he told the club he wanted to stay. But it's all hearsay.

[bornadog]

Supposedly he told the club he wanted to stay. But it's all hearsay.

The other issue these days is the all mighty dollar and extended years, which helps change players minds.

[Axe Man]

I wonder why we didn't? Did he give the club some indication he was staying?

We may never know but I certainly don't find it difficult to believe that he could have been saying all the right things after last season and then after he did his knee he changed his mind over the course of this year.

It may look like a list management error in hindsight and from the outside but we are simply speculating without having all the information.

[bulldogtragic]

Wasn't there an article saying Ed was close to re-signing?

Gave a strong interview saying he was close to re-signing or similar. He gets our club and who we are as a club. Feel confident he’s more Bont than BS.

[bulldogtragic]

Absolutely. If young players don?t want to extend or want to move prior to free agency, cash them in and get more talent in. We made good list decisions with Jacko and Caleb, but are willing to do the same if they?re under 25.

I think it’s a case by case thing. Looking at the risk profiles. Dunkley had a higher risk profile and BS risk profile was off the charts. I think Marra might be higher next year possibly so that’s why I mention him. But guys like Ed or Darcy to me get the club and to me have less risk. But generally speaking we need to look at doing this more unfortunately. Or the AFEL do something about it. I read even Buckley thinks clubs should be able to trade players against their will. There needs to be some solution to the problems we face by the AFEL ideally. If not, then we just:must have to look at flight risks and cash in while there’s peak value.

[comrade]

I think it’s a case by case thing. Looking at the risk profiles. Dunkley had a higher risk profile and BS risk profile was off the charts. I think Marra might be higher next year possibly so that’s why I mention him. But guys like Ed or Darcy to me get the club and to me have less risk. But generally speaking we need to look at doing this more unfortunately. Or the AFEL do something about it. I read even Buckley thinks clubs should be able to trade players against their will. There needs to be some solution to the problems we face by the AFEL ideally. If not, then we just:must have to look at flight risks and cash in while there’s peak value.

You?re right, and it?s dependent on the conversation we?re having with players and management. If we?ve offered a fair deal, I would be asking why Richards hasn?t re-signed yet. And yes, Marra is definitely one we should be asking to either shit or get off the pot.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

You?re right, and it?s dependent on the conversation we?re having with players and management. If we?ve offered a fair deal, I would be asking why Richards hasn?t re-signed yet. And yes, Marra is definitely one we should be asking to either shit or get off the pot.

We need to seriously consider Marra for Butters. Marra honestly feels like he'll jet to a big club who's in the top 6.

[bulldogtragic]

You?re right, and it?s dependent on the conversation we?re having with players and management. If we?ve offered a fair deal, I would be asking why Richards hasn?t re-signed yet. And yes, Marra is definitely one we should be asking to either shit or get off the pot.

I hope Marra pulls it all together next year and the three talks works. If not, imagine the trade period of a first rounder, him and up to $3M on the table.

Or he walks the following year and the picks get sucked up by West/Cooney &/or pushed into another year down the track.

Two very different paths….

[azabob]

The Paul Connors interview this morning on SEN was quite illuminating. He could not have been more effusive in his praise of Sam Power:

"Sam Power is very good at his job"
"Don't even waste your time threatening someone like Sam Power, he will just laugh in your face"

Thanks for mentioning this interview, I went back and had a listen.

The other interesting comment from Paul Connors was that due to the amount of deals Power was working on late; made Mackie blink and actually asked Connors what we are doing next, Connors suggested adding something to pick 17 to keep things moving which then helped facilitate the Macrae and Kennedy deal.

Connors mentioned twice in the interview at different stages how good Power is at his job. Once in reference to the Smith and Macrae trade and the second time was when Cornes put to Connors the reason Dan Houston was traded cheaply was because of the Connors group power and the industry is scared of them. Connors denied that and then referenced you don't want to threaten Sam Power he will just laugh in your face.

Earlier in the week BT and I had a bit of backwards and forwards over the pro's and con's of delaying deals until the last 30 minutes.

Sam Power has a clear strategy when it comes to trading when we have limited leverage - use the clock to our advantage and by all accounts from Connors he did that very well again.

[azabob]

We need to seriously consider Marra for Butters. Marra honestly feels like he'll jet to a big club who's in the top 6.

The problem is I cannot see Marra going to Port Adelaide.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

The problem is I cannot see Marra going to Port Adelaide.

Yes true. Perhaps a 3rd team needs to get involved however it'd be difficult with picks as Marra will pick a big top 6 vic club.

[bulldogtragic]

The problem is I cannot see Marra going to Port Adelaide.

Cough. Warner-WA. Marra-Sydney. 3 firsts-WBFC. Cough.

[azabob]

Cough. Warner-WA. Marra-Sydney. 3 firsts-WBFC. Cough.

Yeah, that three club trade would work.

[bulldogtragic]

Yeah, that three club trade would work.

What trade? Pin this on Jeenak please.

[Mantis]

Thanks for mentioning this interview, I went back and had a listen.

The other interesting comment from Paul Connors was that due to the amount of deals Power was working on late; made Mackie blink and actually asked Connors what we are doing next, Connors suggested adding something to pick 17 to keep things moving which then helped facilitate the Macrae and Kennedy deal.

Connors mentioned twice in the interview at different stages how good Power is at his job. Once in reference to the Smith and Macrae trade and the second time was when Cornes put to Connors the reason Dan Houston was traded cheaply was because of the Connors group power and the industry is scared of them. Connors denied that and then referenced you don't want to threaten Sam Power he will just laugh in your face.

Earlier in the week BT and I had a bit of backwards and forwards over the pro's and con's of delaying deals until the last 30 minutes.

Sam Power has a clear strategy when it comes to trading when we have limited leverage - use the clock to our advantage and by all accounts from Connors he did that very well again.

Power is a jet... we've had some really shit hands during his time and each time he sticks to his guns and drags out every bit of value he can.... and then doesn't overpay when bringing in players.

Whilst others on here think he buckles or gets bent over, comments from those in the game like Conners show that this isn't true.

[Grantysghost]

Power is a jet... we've had some really shit hands during his time and each time he sticks to his guns and drags out every bit of value he can.... and then doesn't overpay when bringing in players.

Whilst others on here think he buckles or gets bent over, comments from those in the game like Conners show that this isn't true.
Yep he's a gun

[bulldogtragic]

The single biggest problem with Sam Power is losing him or promoting him and having to find someone close to his level. Been saying it pretty such since the get go. He’s pulled off some great trades, refused big shit deals/Essendon-Dunkley and shown the competition how to game the points system.

[Uninformed]

He leaves me feeling the club is in safe hands and, on reflection, I haven't felt that way about our list management before.

[jeemak]

To date he hasn't let us down outside of a couple of contracts a bit too generous in tenure. For me to truly think he's as good as people think he is he'll again need to nail his draft picks with a reasonable draft hand, like he did last year.

Outside of that, agree with most of the commentary around him.

[GVGjr]

The Paul Connors interview this morning on SEN was quite illuminating. He could not have been more effusive in his praise of Sam Power:

"Sam Power is very good at his job"
"Don't even waste your time threatening someone like Sam Power, he will just laugh in your face"

It was a good interview. Connors even got a dig in about the Footy season cherry picker Garrie Lyon going on 20 week break.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

To date he hasn't let us down outside of a couple of contracts a bit too generous in tenure. For me to truly think he's as good as people think he is he'll again need to nail his draft picks with a reasonable draft hand, like he did last year.

Outside of that, agree with most of the commentary around him.

Is he in charge of who we draft?

[jeemak]

Is he in charge of who we draft?

Only if we draft well.


But seriously, he heads up list management and recruitment so yes, he is in charge of who we draft.

His role has overseen total list management strategy, including TPP management and compliance, player contracting, player acquisition and recruiting.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/teams/afl/football-department/sam-power

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Only if we draft well.

Oh right. Let's hope he's in charge this year then.

[bornadog]

Only if we draft well.


But seriously, he heads up list management and recruitment so yes, he is in charge of who we draft.

His role has overseen total list management strategy, including TPP management and compliance, player contracting, player acquisition and recruiting.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/teams/afl/football-department/sam-power

He would be putting trust in the recruitment managers advice

[hujsh]

Only if we draft well.


But seriously, he heads up list management and recruitment so yes, he is in charge of who we draft.

His role has overseen total list management strategy, including TPP management and compliance, player contracting, player acquisition and recruiting.

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/teams/afl/football-department/sam-power

I take that to mean he has input on the type of player we prioritise from an overall list balance perspective, eg 'Sweet just left so we need to allocate a spot to a developing ruck since we haven't found anyone in the trade period.'

Who we draft and our talent identification is not Sam's responsibility aside from the fact he's maybe Milesi's boss. By the same metric Grant is responsible for who we draft as the head of football.

[FrediKanoute]

I think it?s a case by case thing. Looking at the risk profiles. Dunkley had a higher risk profile and BS risk profile was off the charts. I think Marra might be higher next year possibly so that?s why I mention him. But guys like Ed or Darcy to me get the club and to me have less risk. But generally speaking we need to look at doing this more unfortunately. Or the AFEL do something about it. I read even Buckley thinks clubs should be able to trade players against their will. There needs to be some solution to the problems we face by the AFEL ideally. If not, then we just:must have to look at flight risks and cash in while there?s peak value.

Have to be able to trade players, otherwise we have the silly situation of a valuable asset having a single market, which means that their pioce is artificially low.

[jeemak]

I take that to mean he has input on the type of player we prioritise from an overall list balance perspective, eg 'Sweet just left so we need to allocate a spot to a developing ruck since we haven't found anyone in the trade period.'

Who we draft and our talent identification is not Sam's responsibility aside from the fact he's maybe Milesi's boss. By the same metric Grant is responsible for who we draft as the head of football.

If Sam heads up the department within the broader football department, it's his responsibility just like all coaching is Beveridge's etc.

Much like people we trade in, Sam wouldn't be watching potential draftees every week, our talent people under him would be, and reporting into him via Milesi. Each of those talent scouts would have their biases towards players, Melisi would have his biases towards his people and the people they want to recruit.

Power would surely make the call in the end. If not, then we have a massive governance issue as lines of accountability aren't clear.

Sam should have the deciding vote on what his department puts forward.

[jeemak]

He would be putting trust in the recruitment managers advice

Like any good leader, yes, he should - providing it isn't blind. But that doesn't mean he isn't accountable for both good and bad decisions made by his department.

[hujsh]

If Sam heads up the department within the broader football department, it's his responsibility just like all coaching is Beveridge's etc.



Wouldn't that actually be Egan?




Much like people we trade in, Sam wouldn't be watching potential draftees every week, our talent people under him would be, and reporting into him via Milesi. Each of those talent scouts would have their biases towards players, Melisi would have his biases towards his people and the people they want to recruit.

Power would surely make the call in the end. If not, then we have a massive governance issue as lines of accountability aren't clear.

Sam should have the deciding vote on what his department puts forward.

When I watch the 'recruiters discuss' videos, while I understand these are for fan insight and not necessarily purely transparent looks at what happens behind closed doors, it seem pretty clear that Dom is the one across the players themselves. Sam might have the final say at tweaking the talent order based on list needs and making calls on pick trades but the talent identification surely has to be 90% on the 'National Recruiting Manager'. I get Sam has managerial responsibility but if it's not Dom's job to get this right then what even is his job?

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467829/2023-afl-draft-pick-45-joel-freijah

[jeemak]

Wouldn't that actually be Egan?



When I watch the 'recruiters discuss' videos, while I understand these are for fan insight and not necessarily purely transparent looks at what happens behind closed doors, it seem pretty clear that Dom is the one across the players themselves. Sam might have the final say at tweaking the talent order based on list needs and making calls on pick trades but the talent identification surely has to be 90% on the 'National Recruiting Manager'. I get Sam has managerial responsibility but if it's not Dom's job to get this right then what even is his job?

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1467829/2023-afl-draft-pick-45-joel-freijah

Eagan is head of football operations, coaching would fall under him - so yes, you're right. Beveridge would be in charge of the coaching silo within broader football operations. It sort of points out why Egan would be responsible for bad coaching at the same time Power is responsible for bad recruiting.

Dom has to get it right, but Sam is accountable for whatever is put forward.

Whether he manages on a trust and verify basis, or micro-basis it doesn't matter. He's the guy who is accountable. If you are accountable and you don't know the detail sufficiently then you're doing a shit job.

[azabob]

I can't believe I wasn't online when the jeemak pile on occurred.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I can't believe I wasn't online when the jeemak pile on occurred.

He'll have his hands full if Jeenak enters the chat.

[azabob]

He'll have his hands full if Jeenak enters the chat.

jeenak is busy working on the three club trade for Marra, Warner and some first round draft picks.

[Go_Dogs]

Power is a jet... we've had some really shit hands during his time and each time he sticks to his guns and drags out every bit of value he can.... and then doesn't overpay when bringing in players.

Whilst others on here think he buckles or gets bent over, comments from those in the game like Conners show that this isn't true.

Of course a player manager who gets what he wants for his client is going to blow smoke up his ass.

We demanded an early first round pick for Baz. Don?t get it.

We demanded a second round pick (or at least one in the 30?s) for Macrae and didn?t get it.

I get there is horse trading and posturing, and I have no doubt Power has done the best he can within the realms of what our club could do in the circumstances, but let?s not act like we just creamed the trade period folks. We did not.

[bornadog]

jeenak is busy working on the three club trade for Marra, Warner and some first round draft picks.

you need to tune in about 2am and you will catch him

[Go_Dogs]

I can't believe I wasn't online when the jeemak pile on occurred.

A curious fact in many ways.

[mighty_west]

Of course a player manager who gets what he wants for his client is going to blow smoke up his ass.

We demanded an early first round pick for Baz. Don?t get it.

We demanded a second round pick (or at least one in the 30?s) for Macrae and didn?t get it.

I get there is horse trading and posturing, and I have no doubt Power has done the best he can within the realms of what our club could do in the circumstances, but let?s not act like we just creamed the trade period folks. We did not.

Don't think anyone suggests we creamed trade period, well i certainly haven't read anything of that nature but we weren't as bad as some suggest either, i though we did ok considering our circumstances especially around Smith and dealing with Geelong, as far as i'm concerned we got paid unders for Baz but we won like bandits for Daniel (a depth player for us), Macrae like Daniel, if he was out of contract and wanted out like he did, Saints offer far less so Jack went for around what i thought we would get, again a depth player now, Matthew Kennedy for 38 is also probably bang on, played every game and top 10 B&F, good age too, so one win, one loss and two breaks evens for me.

[bulldogtragic]

Don't think anyone suggests we creamed trade period, well i certainly haven't read anything of that nature but we weren't as bad as some suggest either, i though we did ok considering our circumstances especially around Smith and dealing with Geelong, as far as i'm concerned we got paid unders for Baz but we won like bandits for Daniel (a depth player for us), Macrae like Daniel, if he was out of contract and wanted out like he did, Saints offer far less so Jack went for around what i thought we would get, again a depth player now, Matthew Kennedy for 38 is also probably bang on, played every game and top 10 B&F, good age too, so one win, one loss and two breaks evens for me.

This is the thing, right. John Noble says trade me to any QLD team. Baker & Bolton say trade me to any WA club. Houston gave Port multiple options. Those clubs got a great return by their players having respect for their current club even though they probably knew where they were going. CD didn’t make a public statement/request and we got a good deal.

Ideally Jack would’ve played it like CD, but I don’t blame him. BS just torched us.

So what’s Sam to do when others clubs players are giving their club some leverage and two of our three didn’t? Which is why CD leaves with an even higher respect in my eyes. Sure he gets more games, more years and thus more cash. But he got us a better pick as legacy.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

This is the thing, right. John Noble says trade me to any QLD team. Baker & Bolton say trade me to any WA club. Houston gave Port multiple options. Those clubs got a great return by their players having respect for their current club even though they probably knew where they were going. CD didn?t make a public statement/request and we got a good deal.

Ideally Jack would?ve played it like CD, but I don?t blame him. BS just torched us.

So what?s Sam to do when others clubs players are giving their club some leverage and two of our three didn?t? Which is why CD leaves with an even higher respect in my eyes. Sure he gets more games, more years and thus more cash. But he got us a better pick as legacy.

Makes Dunkley look even worse too. Why didn't he choose any QLD club? Why specifically Brusbane? I know we now look on Dunks higher because of Smith but he screwed us just as much.

[bulldogtragic]

Makes Dunkley look even worse too. Why didn't he choose any QLD club? Why specifically Brusbane? I know we now look on Dunks higher because of Smith but he screwed us just as much.

Yep. If the AFLPA were smart it would tell players do this to give clubs just a smidge more bargaining power, but not much. But by clubs like ours getting screwed, leveled headed guy like Nathan Buckley are saying take the power from the players and allow clubs to trade players against their will. Which is where I hope things head now. If BS said trade me to any Vic team who will give me years, cash and the position I want and I’ll go there then we would’ve got a much bigger return. But the drum beats will hopefully grow louder for clubs to trade players even if it’s capped at say 2 per year.

[jazzadogs]

I just don't understand why every player is (essentially) a free agent all of a sudden.

[bulldogtragic]

I just don't understand why every player is (essentially) a free agent all of a sudden.

That to me is the intermediate step if the AFEL won’t allow clubs to trade. They should be RFAs for sure. We’ve seen decent trades where RFA bids were matched including Dangerfield & Cameron. Who’d have thought RFA status would make Geelong play fair?

[mighty_west]

Makes Dunkley look even worse too. Why didn't he choose any QLD club? Why specifically Brusbane? I know we now look on Dunks higher because of Smith but he screwed us just as much.

Well with all due respect to the Suns, if Dunks wanted success he was always choosing Brisbane which he has now achieved, plus the fact we kept him the year before when Essendon didn't meet our demands shows it's not a bad thing to give players longer contracts, it just gives the power back to the clubs with players wanting out, it also showed the AFL world that Sammy P doesn't blink just to get the deal done, with Baz we had a lot less control.