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CaseySibosadoHOF
All Australian
- Sep 17, 2022
- 661
- 1,602
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
I think there's way more egregious examples of players requesting trades. 4 years in contract is never really a good look, but it's the right trade for Richmond to do anyways, Shai probably signed that contract assuming that Richmond were gonna be contending (Richmond clearly thought they were gonna contend with the Taranto + Hopper deals) and I guess a fair amount can change in 2 years family-wise (though there will probably be skepticism on Shai's true motives). Plus, clubs have been treating these long-term contracts like they're cancel any time for years (notably Collingwood with their salary cap stuff), so if players do it too I'm not hugely fussed.I'll take off my Freo hat for a moment. Bolton is taking the absolute piss with his upcoming trade request. 4 years still on his contract and he wants out? This isn't good for the competition in my opinion.
I find it crazier when players sign their deals knowing what's up and when circumstances don't really change, they reneg and potentially screw their club over. Especially when it just tears up previously safe assumptions, particularly when it comes to draftees. JHF is probably the biggest example: a #1 pick leaving because the garbage Vic club that finished last to get the pick for him...turned out to be a garbage Vic club? I think unless draftees are having a harder time than expected breaking into a team, they should stay at their club until the end of their 1st non-rookie deal at minimum.