It's a crap article (which is highly unusual from Niall) clear bias + spin!
Some have likened Ablett's so-called underpayment to Brisbane's additional salary cap allowance. Seriously, how can you compare the two?! He's one player fgs!
I would love GFC to response but I know they weren't. What I do know, from their perspective, they would've loved to have locked Gary in to a higher contract a couple of years ago. But they couldn't raise their offer to the point that GAJr & LP were requesting. No doubt (and it disappoints me that Niall doesn't say so) that LP has consistently 'delayed talks' over the past 2 years (say post 2008 season onwards) - knowing that 2 new clubs were likely to be granted a license, along with impending free agency talks, both likely to lead to inflated prices for top-end-of-the-market players. Is it no coincidence just how many top-line players are coming out of contract at the end of the year (even LP's other major client, Buddy) & been discussed in the papers at various points, but only one big fish apparently remains unsigned?!
My understanding is, yes Gary would've liked to have signed up to a higher contract a couple of years ago, but was VERY reluctant to extend his contract term much further beyond the existing length. Obviously very aware of when GC & GWS were coming in. Look at it from GFC's view, they would've probably preferred as long a contract as possible, with the intention of 'back-ending' the payments (a la Kouta). Not necessarily prudent, of course, hence why they have not done something similar with Selwood's contract, even though HE wanted a longer contract than the two years offered (thankfully that's 2011 & 2012, so he's missed the GWS boat, I believe).
What just gets me about Niall's article is that some 'facts' have been presented (& yes perhaps they should be discussed) but whilst very conveniently neglecting to include 'the other side' of the argument (ie GFC). Of course, that's a journalist's wont. Insiders @ GFC have regularly commented that GAJr was considerably overpaid in his early years at the club & in the early years of his current contract (considering it must've started in 2006 - he was certainly no star then, indeed many were bemused that he could be offered such a long contract, considering that he was perceived to be at the crossroads - as many were - pre 2007).
From my PoV, this is just continuing to show me that we're a victim of our own success. The AFL wants to see us knocked down (no doubt about that - we're not good for the 'competition', no outstanding team over 3 years is) but just about everyone at GFC wants to be part of a great team that will be remembered for bucking the expectations - except for one!
However, I for one am definitely not going to argue that GAJr is leaving just for the money, he must have more reasons than simply that (even though it's a bloody good reason), otherwise why would even bother to talk to them in the first place (unlike Selwood). Fact is we'll never know the 'whole truth' - so I sincerely hope that Niall isn't purporting to do just that!
