Player Watch #34: Jack Graham - MOVED TO WCE - PICK 42 Received

[DickieKnee]

can someone explain to me in very simple terms how this bloke only gets band 4 and the gws boys get band 1. it seems so fken inconsistent.

Richmond tax. We get reamed with everything.

 

[THE_GUN]

This compensation is a fail on the eagles part to make the Baker trade easier imo
Blair now has no reason to use Lube and must go in dry and we want to hear screams

 

[RJK Tiger]

Pick 42 - lmao.

What happened to us bulling them to a 1st rounder?

I honestly have nfi how the afl works this shit out. That is utter shit. I wouldn't have even accepted that as a trade ffs

 

[RJK Tiger]

Band 4 only means he was offered anything less than $550K and more than $450K. To get Band 3 the offer needed to be around $600K a year.

So what does that mean Battle is getting? $800k+?

System is so rooted - its the worst. I would rather everyone get nothing than this

 

[THE_GUN]

So what does that mean Battle is getting? $800k+?

System is so rooted - its the worst. I would rather everyone get nothing than this

St Kilda's offer to Battle was over $900k and was reported he accepted the offer from Hawthorn that was just under so most likely $850k - $900k range

 

[The_Kraken]

what did you expect?

perryman, battle, cumming. All on 900k X 6 years. $5.4 million

graham 500~550? X 4 years $2.1 million.

It’s pretty simple when you state it so clearly.

I’m not surprised that the same people who didn’t want JG playing this year are now crying about being “shafted” by the CFL. He's a spud clogging the system, but we deserve Band 1 compensation

 

[Azzleberry]

Surprised? No.
Annoyed? Absolutely.

It was always going to be the case though, especially when a decision wasn't made until Monday.

1/ After 3 days of media and fan outrage at Battle, Cumming & Perryman deals, AFL was going to react

2/ Look at all the picks we have, AFL wasn't going to hand us another pick 25 on top of what we've got ourselves. 100% they factored this in.

3/ Richmond Tax - basically take compo and -1 band.. complete opposite to clubs that rely on AFL money and haven't won't flags for ages (or ever)- essentially Saints, North, GWS, Freo and GCS Tax = +1 on band.

Nobody can honestly say he wasn't valued at Band 3 which depending on the finishing position would be Pick 25 to Pick 41. So again penalised because we are wooden spooners and pick "feels" to high

 

[captain blood 17]

 

[tora tora tora]

It’s pretty simple when you state it so clearly.

I’m not surprised that the same people who didn’t want JG playing this year are now crying about being “shafted” by the CFL. He's a spud clogging the system, but we deserve Band 1 compensation

Easy for me. I did pure & applied maths
Spent a lot of time looking at blackboards with

 

[RJK Tiger]

Surprised? No.
Annoyed? Absolutely.

It was always going to be the case though, especially when a decision wasn't made until Monday.

1/ After 3 days of media and fan outrage at Battle, Cumming & Perryman deals, AFL was going to react

2/ Look at all the picks we have, AFL wasn't going to hand us another pick 25 on top of what we've got ourselves. 100% they factored this in.

3/ Richmond Tax - basically take compo and -1 band.. complete opposite to clubs that rely on AFL money and haven't won't flags for ages (or ever)- essentially Saints, North, GWS, Freo and GCS Tax = +1 on band.

Nobody can honestly say he wasn't valued at Band 3 which depending on the finishing position would be Pick 25 to Pick 41. So again penalised because we are wooden spooners and pick "feels" to high

I think the whole system just needs to be killed tbh, but maybe Having the clubs able to have the ability to "match the deal" & force a trade when the players is 28 or younger etc? Then the clubs have to work out something & there is actually a potential cost involved in signing the players outside of the cash, the clubs might just go "shit, over pay him as otherwise we will need to give up pick. Currently its just way to wild of swings.

A deal like Graham would still get done more than likey ie the Eagles would give us 26 & 62 for Graham + 44. Pick 26 is the best piece in that deal IMO, but they are giving it up for a pick upgrade/downgrade depending on how you look at it.

In a case like Battle - the deal would just go through as it currently is as the Hawks would be saying hell no to giving up 14+33, which would be the closest they could offer to match the Pick 8 - and the saints are likely still more happy with pick 8 than 14+33.

It just feels way too much like "this is what you get & you don't get upset.... or else" There is no choice anymore - being a list manager in the AFL must be a shit of a job. Known a guy who was one at a club effectively and the dude looked stressed all the time. Much happier guy now he is out of it

 

[Sir_Loin]

We all knew we were going to reamed by the afl

Is anyone surprised?

 

[Sir_Loin]

Easy for me. I did pure & applied maths
Spent a lot of time looking at blackboards with
View attachment 2135456

Ahh I see you know your quadratic equations well. Well done

 

[The_Kraken]

Bit disappointed, not with the compensation but the reactions in here. Thought there would be better meltdowns

This was posted on a fan site

This is the full unedited article and I express my opinion only.

"Why the Jack Graham’s Trade Is Another Insult to the Richmond FC. Call it out John and Shane. Call it out now."

The news of Jack Graham’s trade to the West Coast Eagles for Pick 42 should have sent Richmond fans into a state of disbelief.

Unrestricted free agent Jack Graham has signed with the West Coast Eagles. Richmond will receive an end of Round 2 selection (currently 42) in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft as compensation. This is the first time in the history of AFL Free Agency that a 4 year deal hasn't got band 1, 2 or 3 for a player aged 26 or under.

Seriously, how many times can the AFL spit in our faces before we start throwing the book at them? A two-time premiership player, a leader on and off the field, and someone who has sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears for the Yellow and Black has been traded for what? A band 4 second-round pick at 42 which will finish in the mid 50’s!

That’s not just a slap in the face; it’s a full-on punch. The AFL’s system continues to undervalue the contributions of Richmond’s stalwarts, while other clubs are somehow cashing in on mid-tier players as if they’ve struck gold. It’s a joke. No, it’s worse—it’s a downright insult.

An Inconsistent System Built on AFL’s Hypocrisy

The AFL’s compensation system is riddled with inconsistency and outright hypocrisy. Take Josh Battle at St Kilda, for example. Battle—solid, sure, but game-changing? Not even close. He leaves St Kilda, and what do they get? Pick 8 as compensation! Are you kidding me? Josh Battle, who hasn’t won a single premiership or changed the course of his club’s fortunes, gets St Kilda a first rounder, and we get Pick 42 for a two-time premiership hero like Jack Graham? Tell me how that’s even remotely fair. Then there’s Harry Perryman from GWS. Perryman is another reliable player, but is he Jack Graham? Nope. Still, he leaves GWS, and they walk away with Pick 16. It’s infuriating to watch clubs cash in on players who haven’t contributed even half of what Graham has, yet Richmond, a club that’s dominated for a decade, gets shortchanged again and again.

Richmond fans, how many times are we supposed to swallow this?

Remember Brandon Ellis? Another Insult to Richmond FC

This isn’t the first time Richmond has been kicked to the curb by the AFL’s garbage compensation system. Remember Brandon Ellis? A dual-premiership player, a staple of the Tigers’ 2017 and 2019 flags, and a player who left everything on the field week in and week out. He heads off to the Gold Coast Suns on a five-year, $3 million deal, and what do we get for him? Pick 39. Yeah, let that sink in. A guy who played pivotal roles in the most important years of our club's recent history leaves, and we’re handed another second-round pick. And you wonder why Richmond fans are fuming?

Even Brendon Gale, our CEO at the time, couldn’t believe it. He took to social media to call out the AFL for their utter disrespect. Did anything change after that? Of course not! The AFL continues to devalue Richmond players as if they’ve got some sort of vendetta against us. It’s not just frustrating anymore; it’s downright disrespectful. The AFL's message is clear: if you're part of a successful club, don’t expect fairness when it comes to compensation. Unless, of course, you’re a different club that somehow gets handed golden tickets for players who wouldn’t crack Richmond’s best 22.

Premiership Success Doesn’t Matter to the AFL

The AFL’s compensation system actively punishes clubs like Richmond for being successful. It’s like the more you achieve, the more they take away from you. How else can you explain the disparity in these compensation picks? The system’s primary focus is age, contract length, and the player’s status as a free agent—completely ignoring the most crucial factor of all: on-field success and leadership. Jack Graham is not just any player. He’s a guy who, at 19 years old, played a starring role in our drought-breaking 2017 premiership. He’s a workhorse, a leader, and a future captain. And yet, according to the AFL, his value is worth no more than Pick 42?

It’s insulting, but more than that, it’s a clear message from the AFL that premiership success means absolutely nothing when it comes to compensation. They’ll throw out premium picks to struggling clubs for players who haven’t delivered anywhere near the level of contribution that Graham, Ellis, and others have for Richmond. The AFL is more concerned with its flawed version of “equalization” than with rewarding clubs for developing champions and winning premierships.

Richmond fans, how many more times do we need to get screwed over before we demand change?

Statistical Comparisons: Breaking Down the Injustice

Let’s break this down, because the numbers make it even worse:

• Jack Graham: Two premierships, 131 games, known for his relentless work rate, leadership potential, and ability to turn the tide of games. Compensation? Pick 42.

• Josh Battle: 97 games, zero premierships, a solid but unspectacular performer. Compensation? Pick 8.

• Harry Perryman: 115 games, no flags, reliable but hardly a game-changer. Compensation? Pick 16.

How does this make any sense? Graham has delivered two flags, played a crucial role in them, and is an absolute warrior on the field. Meanwhile, Perryman and Battle—good players, sure, but nowhere near Graham’s caliber—get first-round compensation. The AFL is trying to pull the wool over our eyes with this ridiculous system.

The AFL loves to talk about fairness, but where’s the fairness in this? What’s worse is that Richmond continues to get punished for being good, while lesser clubs seem to be rewarded for mediocrity. The numbers don’t lie, and the numbers say the AFL doesn’t value Richmond players the way it should.

A Broken System That Favors Mediocrity

Let’s not beat around the bush here: the AFL’s compensation system is built to reward the clubs that are underperforming while penalizing clubs that succeed. The league is obsessed with “equalization,” but at what cost? When premiership players like Jack Graham or Brandon Ellis are given second-round pick value, it devalues the entire concept of what a premiership actually means. Success isn’t celebrated; it’s penalized. The AFL wants to keep everyone on the same level, but they’re dragging successful clubs down to do it.

Sure, equalization might work in theory, but the AFL has taken it too far. Instead of leveling the playing field, they’re sabotaging the very clubs that have done the hard yards to develop and win premierships. Richmond has done everything right: drafted well, developed its players, and built a winning culture. But what’s the reward? Watching players like Graham get traded for crumbs while other clubs laugh all the way to the draft with their premium picks.

Richmond fans, how is this fair? We do everything right, and we get punished for it.

The Real Impact of Losing Jack Graham: It’s More Than Just a Trade

Losing Jack Graham isn’t just about losing a solid midfielder. It’s about losing a leader, a workhorse, and a player who was seen as a potential future captain. And all we get in return is Pick 42? It’s hard to believe that a player with his credentials is worth so little in the eyes of the AFL’s compensation system. But this is the reality Richmond fans have to face. We’re losing not just a player but part of the heart and soul of this club, and the AFL thinks that’s worth a late second-round pick. That’s not just disrespectful, it’s criminal.

Jack Graham represents everything that is good about Richmond. He’s a player who exemplifies hard work, loyalty, and dedication. He’s someone who’s given everything for this club. Yet, in the AFL’s eyes, he’s worth less than players who haven’t even sniffed premiership success. It’s a disgrace. This system is broken, and it’s time for Richmond to demand better.

What Needs to Change: Fixing a Broken System

The AFL needs to stop rewarding weaker clubs at the expense of those who have worked to build a culture of success. Compensation should reflect the on-field achievements, leadership, and value that players like Graham and Ellis bring. If this system isn’t fixed, successful clubs like Richmond will continue to lose out while other teams are rewarded for mediocrity.

Here’s what needs to change:

1. Compensation Based on On-Field Success: Premiership players should be valued more highly. The AFL’s current focus on age and contract length is absurd. It doesn’t take into account the player’s contribution to a premiership team, and that’s where the system fails.

2. Transparency in the Compensation Formula: Right now, no one knows exactly how the AFL comes up with these compensation picks. It’s a black box of mystery, and Richmond fans deserve to know how the AFL determines that Jack Graham is only worth Pick 42 while lesser players net first-round picks.

3. More Weight on Leadership and Club Contributions: Players who are future leaders, captains, and culture builders should be valued accordingly. Jack Graham is a perfect example of a player whose leadership qualities have been overlooked by the AFL’s compensation system.

4. Reform Equalization Policies: The AFL needs to stop rewarding underperforming clubs at the expense of successful ones. Richmond has built a culture of success, and the AFL’s system is actively penalizing us for that. We need an equalization system that doesn’t punish success.

A History of Disrespect Toward Richmond: Brandon Ellis, Jack Graham, and Beyond

This isn’t just about Jack Graham. The AFL has been disrespecting Richmond for years now. Look at Brandon Ellis—another dual-premiership player who was undervalued in the AFL’s compensation system. Look at the way the AFL consistently hands out better compensation picks to clubs that have done far less than Richmond. The pattern is clear: the AFL doesn’t value success. It doesn’t value the hard work that goes into building a premiership-winning culture. And Richmond, a club that has done everything right, is getting screwed over time and time again.

Richmond Fans Deserve Better

Richmond supporters, we’ve been treated like second-class citizens for far too long by a broken system. The AFL’s compensation structure is a disgrace, and it’s time we demand change. How many more players do we need to lose for second-round scraps before the AFL takes notice? How much longer do we have to watch other clubs get rewarded for less, while we get slapped in the face for building a dynasty?

It’s time for the AFL to take a long, hard look at itself and fix this mess of a compensation system. Richmond deserves better. Jack Graham deserves better. We deserve better.

Richmond fans, let’s make our voices heard. Enough is enough.

A Plea to John O'Rourke and Shane Dunne: This Is Your Defining Moment

John O'Rourke and Shane Dunne, if you want to earn the respect and loyalty of the Richmond faithful, here is your defining moment. The time to step up is now. You cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while this blatant disrespect toward Richmond FC and our players continues unchecked. This is your chance to get on the front foot, as other AFL club presidents have done before you, and express your outrage at the injustice of this system. The fans need to hear you come out swinging. Don’t just accept this. Let the AFL know, in no uncertain terms, that Richmond FC will not be a silent casualty of this flawed compensation system.

Do not, under any circumstances, sit back and say nothing. You cannot let this moment pass quietly, with the AFL’s hypocrisy left unchallenged. We need to see the leadership of Richmond mirror the tenacity we’ve shown on the field for years. Do not sit back and allow this injustice to go through to the keeper. Be angry, even if it doesn’t lead to immediate change. Even if the AFL refuses to bend, it’s not the outcome that will define you. What will matter most is showing the Richmond faithful that you are willing to fight for us, that you will stand up for this club and the values it represents.

Richmond supporters need to know that the leadership is on their side, fighting for every inch. This isn’t just about a single trade or one player. It’s about sending a message that you will not allow this club, or its players, to be undervalued or disrespected. Show us that you’re here to lead with the same passion that drives the Yellow and Black Army. The fans are watching. If you stand up now, if you make it clear that you’ve got our back, you will strengthen the bond between the leadership and the supporters in a way that will resonate for years. John and Shane, this is not a moment for silence or diplomacy. The supporters need to hear that their leaders will not sit idly by and allow this farce to continue.

But if you choose silence, if you fail to act in this pivotal moment, the ramifications will be immense. The Richmond faithful are not passive; we demand action. By staying quiet, you risk more than just a few disgruntled voices—you risk eroding the trust and loyalty that the supporters have in the club’s leadership. Richmond is built on passion, loyalty, and pride. The fans will not forget a failure to defend those values. This is your moment to prove that you understand what it means to lead this great club.

This is my opinion only and I only speak for myself.

P.A.

Happy now

 

[darcytiger]

Brave as he was I find that fact hard to believe for a guy that had 7 touches, only 160m gained and him and JR8 having the lowest disposal efficiency of the game.......61minutes game time and equal 5th in tackles emphasises his gritty and gutsy performance tho, would have been inspirational for his teammates. Cotch rightly made and example of him.

Revealed: How Captain Cotchin honoured selfless Richmond teammate before Grand Final

Revealed: How captain Cotch honoured selfless teammate before Grand Final

www.foxsports.com.au

I actually tried to find proof after I posted it. It’s a hard stat to find. Source was Dimma? could have been mayo.

 

[richoplzbreed]

We got the identical compensation that the Hawks got for geriatric 32yo Isaac Smith

7

Isaac Smith

Age

35

Ht

188cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

13.0

5star

HB

8.4

5star

M

5.5

5star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.7

4star

D

19.4

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.3

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.5

3star

CL

1.3

4star

D

19.2

5star

K

10.6

4star

HB

8.6

5star

M

7.6

5star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

who went to the Cats on minimum chips for a mere 2 years. Unbelievable.

 

[darcytiger]

I actually tried to find proof after I posted it. It’s a hard stat to find. Source was Dimma? could have been mayo.

Found it! It was from the Konrad Marshall book:

Graham was able to return to the field after pain medication and strapping. Despite the shoulder popping out again during a flexibility and mobility test, he put his hand up—the left, not the right—to continue. That test wouldn’t be the first time that evening that the joint “sub-luxed”, his limb slipping again and again from its aggravated socket.
Still he spoiled. Still he tackled. He assumed a place in the forward line, and ran to corral and corner, pressing every opponent with the force of his injured body. By the time the final siren sounded, Graham had recorded more pressure acts than any Geelong player on the field.

Slight error, more than all the Cats players. Still mint.

 

[Acinath]

We got the identical compensation that the Hawks got for geriatric 32yo Isaac Smith who went to the Cats on minimum chips for a mere 2 years. Unbelievable.

Hawks stiff, that geriatric bloke won a Norm Smith medal

 

[Grechy]

So what does that mean Battle is getting? $800k+?

System is so rooted - its the worst. I would rather everyone get nothing than this

Pick 42 is still pick 42, not ideal but I think it's still okay.

 

[tigerdan]

Veterans led us to the worst season in the Clubs history ...

and we still haven't sacked or delisted anyone ... zero accountability.

How many games did we waste on Graham, Baker, and Bolton (not because they were leaving ... because they were substandard) that Tresize, Smith, Bauer, etc could have been playing

They didn't win us a single extra game, they still aren't staying ... this club is faarked ... we are the new North Melbourne ... rabble from top to bottom

Veterans being ex servicemen you Muppet.

 

[tiger_tough]

WTF would you use stats as a guide to compensation for?

The contract is the only thing that matters and Pies were desperately stupid to give Perry Harryman a 6 year ~$5.5mill deal. JGTIs deal pales into significance comparatively.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

WTF would you use stats as a guide to compensation for?

The contract is the only thing that matters and Pies were desperately stupid to give Perry Harryman a 6 year ~$5.5mill deal. JGTIs deal pales into significance comparatively.

"The contract is the only thing that matters" because the AFL say it's the only thing that matters.

Can you not see that's exactly where the problem lies?

It's a very flawed metric, and is only slightly more objective a system than using a crowd show of hands to adjudicate umpiring decisions.

 

[tiger_tough]

"The contract is the only thing that matters" because the AFL say it's the only thing that matters.

Can you not see that's exactly where the problem lies?

It's a very flawed metric, and is only slightly more objective a system than using a crowd show of hands to adjudicate umpiring decisions.

Yeah it's flawed af. But stats are completely irrelevant.

 

[Sir_Loin]

42 by the time they’re all pushed back it’ll be a later pick than what we took him at

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Yeah it's flawed af. But stats are completely irrelevant.

Not all stats are retrospective.

 

[tropicaltiger]

Found it! It was from the Konrad Marshall book:

Graham was able to return to the field after pain medication and strapping. Despite the shoulder popping out again during a flexibility and mobility test, he put his hand up—the left, not the right—to continue. That test wouldn’t be the first time that evening that the joint “sub-luxed”, his limb slipping again and again from its aggravated socket.
Still he spoiled. Still he tackled. He assumed a place in the forward line, and ran to corral and corner, pressing every opponent with the force of his injured body. By the time the final siren sounded, Graham had recorded more pressure acts than any Geelong player on the field.

Slight error, more than all the Cats players. Still mint.

great pickup. cut and paste that recorded fact and put on the scatters board and watch the salt flow