Recommitted Andrew Gaff [re-signed]

[Scotland]

I would say a contracted player with 2 years contract is entirely different to a free agent, or a player out of contract (and even with 1 year to).

How often do we see players with multiple years of contract left be traded? Jordan Lewis last year is one, but Gaff isnt on his final contract before retirement I wouldnt think.

There's also a difference between exploring a move and a walk out. Ryan O'Keefe was supposed to be a Hawk at one point, and ended up a Norm Smith Medalist for Sydney against Hawthorn. You see it in soccer all the time with their bizarre system of transfer windows overlapping seasons. Philippe Coutinho was Barcelona-bound and not in the Liverpool squad a week or two ago. Give him a few games and he'll be regularly their best player again.

In Gaff's case he's just finished his 7th season and is in his 3rd contract with us. He's not some homesick 19 year old. I imagine he has a house, partner, circle of friends etc. here now. There's a long list of non-WA recruits who've joined WC and never left Perth after retiring. I don't begrudge him exploring his options for the future if he is. He's given us good service and isn't bound to stay in Perth or at the club forever. If he was a dud he would've been de-listed anyway, so it's a two way street. If he "demanded a trade home" this year I'd be annoyed, though. Too much of that going on.

 

[HairyO]

There's also a difference between exploring a move and a walk out. Ryan O'Keefe was supposed to be a Hawk at one point, and ended up a Norm Smith Medalist for Sydney against Hawthorn. You see it in soccer all the time with their bizarre system of transfer windows overlapping seasons. Philippe Coutinho was Barcelona-bound and not in the Liverpool squad a week or two ago. Give him a few games and he'll be regularly their best player again.

In Gaff's case he's just finished his 7th season and is in his 3rd contract with us. He's not some homesick 19 year old. I imagine he has a house, partner, circle of friends etc. here now. There's a long list of non-WA recruits who've joined WC and never left Perth after retiring. I don't begrudge him exploring his options for the future if he is. He's given us good service and isn't bound to stay in Perth or at the club forever. If he was a dud he would've been de-listed anyway, so it's a two way street. If he "demanded a trade home" this year I'd be annoyed, though. Too much of that going on.

All true. And given he has a year to go, it really only happens if the club are okay. But with his age and the other poster saying pick 8, I imagine Simmo would accept.

But it all comes down to whether he actually wants out. The number of actual trades is always a tiny, tiny fraction of the number of rumoured trades. And that isnt taking in to account the simply ridiculous trades which pop up *all* the time on BF.

 

[cdcanman]

I would say a contracted player with 2 years contract is entirely different to a free agent, or a player out of contract (and even with 1 year to).

How often do we see players with multiple years of contract left be traded? Jordan Lewis last year is one, but Gaff isnt on his final contract before retirement I wouldnt think.

The mechanism for them staying is different (as I acknowledged) but how is the problem different? You are still holding a player at your club who prefers to play elsewhere. Gibbs' performance did not suffer at all. Players from OS sports don't see any drop in performance. These are professional athletes who will handle the situation as such should it arise (though it as yet hasn't).
Matching RFA offers will eventually become more common and these types of arguments will be null and void pretty soon thereafter.

 

[Obeanie1]

There's also a difference between exploring a move and a walk out. Ryan O'Keefe was supposed to be a Hawk at one point, and ended up a Norm Smith Medalist for Sydney against Hawthorn. You see it in soccer all the time with their bizarre system of transfer windows overlapping seasons. Philippe Coutinho was Barcelona-bound and not in the Liverpool squad a week or two ago. Give him a few games and he'll be regularly their best player again.

In Gaff's case he's just finished his 7th season and is in his 3rd contract with us. He's not some homesick 19 year old. I imagine he has a house, partner, circle of friends etc. here now. There's a long list of non-WA recruits who've joined WC and never left Perth after retiring. I don't begrudge him exploring his options for the future if he is. He's given us good service and isn't bound to stay in Perth or at the club forever. If he was a dud he would've been de-listed anyway, so it's a two way street. If he "demanded a trade home" this year I'd be annoyed, though. Too much of that going on.

I don't begrudge a player wanting to move interstate / back home after 7 years.

They didn't elect to move away from home and that was the deal when you nominated for the draft. But expecting someone to move for work to somewhere they didn't chose and then spend 10 to 15 years living in one location is a bit much to ask.

But wanting to move after 1 to 2 years that I don't like so much. You knew what was involved and you elected to nominate for the draft with a 50% chance of relocating.

 

[HairyO]

The mechanism for them staying is different (as I acknowledged) but how is the problem different? You are still holding a player at your club who prefers to play elsewhere. Gibbs' performance did not suffer at all. Players from OS sports don't see any drop in performance. These are professional athletes who will handle the situation as such should it arise (though it as yet hasn't).
Matching RFA offers will eventually become more common and these types of arguments will be null and void pretty soon thereafter.

I would think it is a mindset too. The difference between being hopeful to get a trade and knowing that you are free to walk.

 

[Scotland]

All true. And given he has a year to go, it really only happens if the club are okay. But with his age and the other poster saying pick 8, I imagine Simmo would accept.

But it all comes down to whether he actually wants out. The number of actual trades is always a tiny, tiny fraction of the number of rumoured trades. And that isnt taking in to account the simply ridiculous trades which pop up *all* the time on BF.

There's also the possibility of another club showing interest and us taking it to him, but generally if a club is interested in a player they'll just approach that player's manager.

 

[TerryWallet]

What's the consensus on Gaff?

To my way of thinking, this is the one for the Saints.

 

[Obeanie1]

What's the consensus on Gaff?

To my way of thinking, this is the one for the Saints.

Agreed. Fits the Saints needs in type of player, they have two picks either one would be fair and the Saints will be very keen to improve their list and make finals next year.

If Gaff is keen the Eagles get a pick just ouside the top 5 and can draft a more inside or damaging mid for later not next year. One or more of the kids already on the list gets a crack.

 

[cdcanman]

What's the consensus on Gaff?

To my way of thinking, this is the one for the Saints.

Agreed. Fits the Saints needs in type of player, they have two picks either one would be fair and the Saints will be very keen to improve their list and make finals next year.

If Gaff is keen the Eagles get a pick just ouside the top 5 and can draft a more inside or damaging mid for later not next year. One or more of the kids already on the list gets a crack.

I agree. The Saints might be one realistic destination for this offseason. I would think it would take the Saints pick or better to get WCE to bite. They still have the option of waiting a year and probably receiving band 1 compo for him so the offer would need to be pretty substantial such as what St Kilda can offer.

WCE brass should at least be asking Gaff and his management the question about his future intentions. If he intends on leaving, a trade would make sense for both parties, as long as the deal is good enough, and it would need to be pretty darn good

 

[pantskyle]

This has been rumored for quite some time.

Might also be why West Coast have gone pretty hard at Hartung, with a good sized contract.

That is factually incorrect.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

That is factually incorrect.

Don't lie, Pants.

West Coast have offered Hartung 4 years.

 

[pantskyle]

Don't lie, Pants.

West Coast have offered Hartung 4 years.

We haven't, and we won't be.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

We haven't, and we won't be.

Are you sure about this?

 

[KermitJagger]

We haven't, and we won't be.

I've heard he's got the WCE recruitment team's har-tongues wagging.

 

[pantskyle]

Are you sure about this?

I stake your life on it.

I've heard he's got the WCE recruitment team's har-tongues wagging.

We have enough average players as is.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I stake your life on it.

Classic Pants.

 

[pantskyle]

Classic Pants.

Nice melt.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Nice melt.

I'm in a tank.

 

[KermitJagger]

I stake your life on it.

We have enough average players as is.

Hartung measures up quite well against Tom Scully who is probably as close to like for like as you could find. Billy averages more disposals at the same age with significantly less TOG.

 

[pantskyle]

Hartung measures up quite well against Tom Scully who is probably as close to like for like as you could find. Billy averages more disposals at the same age with significantly less TOG.

Well if he is so good I'd be very surprised if the rebuilding Hawks would let him go.

 

[KermitJagger]

Well if he is so good I'd be very surprised if the rebuilding Hawks would let him go.

We're doing you a favour by letting you upgrade on Gaff!

 

[pantskyle]

We're doing you a favour by letting you upgrade on Gaff!

Oh I see, and what does this upgrade cost us?

 

[KermitJagger]

Oh I see, and what does this upgrade cost us?

Gaff

 

[pantskyle]

Gaff

Fascinating.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Fascinating.

4 years!