Gaff - does he stay or go? Let me set the scene..

[JohnW]

If Norths get all these players they say they are, may as well not even play next year.

Watch Ben Brown leave after 2020. When your club front ends deals and gets new players in based on offering over the top contracts, you couldn't blame an existing player chasing the biggest contract available when it becomes available.

 

[spoon84]

News on the radio just now saying Gaff has told the club he's leaving

 

[DanWCE]

Lastly

Paul Connors, manager of both Gaff and Kelly advised Gaff that if he committed to North he'd be playing with Josh Kelly.



Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk

Where? I want to have a read or listen of this.

 

[blackshadow]

Where? I want to have a read or listen of this.

You won't hear or read it... but some of us know it did happen.

 

[DanWCE]

You won't hear or read it... but some of us know it did happen.

OK mate. Look Gaff may very well leave but until then could you please dial down your propaganda and insinuation on our board? This is not the Norf board. Opposition posters are welcome but you are pedalling some proper gossip and can't back it up.

 

[Monocle]

Gaff had been loyal...

The AFL is a business

Hes awesome but hed not.worth 1.2.

We won a flag without him. We will get kelly.

All said and done all the swings and roundabouts...

You win some you lose some.

This.

We move on as a Club and plot our next success .

If players don't want to be at the Club, for what ever reason, then move them on and get players who want to be on our list.

Gaff has been a very good player for us but he is not worth 1.2 million a year , that's the sort of coin you shell out for a match winner / game changer and Gaff as good as he is ins't that.

Gaffs defection is not all bad news as it now frees up 900K a year to spend on someone else.
Take the Compo Pick ( as shitty as it is ) and use it to either get an established player , or draft a kid .

Norths been very clever and its a very good bit of business. Well played by them.

However.

The Clubs management need to learn from this experience and ensure we are not deceived again.

Eighteen months out from a player becoming a RFA or UFA we put an extension in front of them.
If they wont sign, then let them know that they have the Clubs permission and approval to explore their options at the next trade period.

Also if it is at all possible avoid Victorian draftees / players who are managed by Conners .
Paul Connors has stung the Club twice so whats that saying " deceive me once shame on them deceive me twice shame on me . "

The Club needs to be proactive and identify our own RSA target and set up a similar coup to the one that has lost us Gaff.

We are somewhat fortunate that Gaff has chosen North rather than Melbourne, Richmond , Collingwood, Essendon or Hawthorn.
Him moving to North wont hurt us as much, as North are a fair way off the other Clubs I have mentioned above and therefore less of a threat.

Regardless of where he was to go we dust ourselves off and move on to bigger and better things......... like Cup # 5.

Andrew Gaff thanks for your past service.

SIDE NOTE.

Its going to be an interesting watch, to see in six or so years, just how the move goes for him and how the compensation pick we get and who Gaff's salary is now spent on, pans out for us.

While it feels like a kick in the balls at the minute.

In the fullness of time it may not be as brutal a blow as we are feeling now.

 

[Groin guru]

Watch Ben Brown leave after 2020. When your club front ends deals and gets new players in based on offering over the top contracts, you couldn't blame an existing player chasing the biggest contract available when it becomes available.

The club that moved him from Tassie to Werribee after multiple knee reco's and getting overlooked in multiple drafts. Then the club that drafted him and played him in the position he wanted. The club that allows him to visit his home 3 times a year throughout the season.

Safe as houses that Brown is a 1 club player. He loves the club and knows without North he's studying at a university in Tassie.

 

[Bestbird]

I think it was $1.2m for Kelly last year (not sure if that will change), I believe Polec is about $700k and Hall $400k although, they aren't significant differences.

The average looks really low, because we have been bringing forward contracts forward for a few years now, say someone is re-signed who is a $400k player but because of our previous salary cap hole they were given $800k in 2018, $200k in 2019 and $200k in 2020. It is still $1.2m over three years but the amounts brought forward effectively make that $400k player look like a $200k player. I think the vast majority of our longer-term required players have had their contracts discounted heavily the last couple of years, or the impact they will have over the next few years.

We also have the second youngest squad, about 27 of the 45 odd squad was 22 or under, with 5 rookies, most on their first or second contract probably earning original draft contract or near minimum wages. We have like zero depth atm, anyone not in our senior team is basically a kid that has played little to no football. It is going to skew the averages significantly.

And that is part of the problem going forward with offering long term contracts to several players at over inflated prices. The knock on effects is a lack of depth and seeing your good young players having to be offloaded. This is what already appears to happening over at Port already

 

[Priddis Is Done]

$1.2M for a mid, that's crazy.

That's pre Carlton Judd or Ablett at his peak money.

Dangerfield isn't worth that.

Crazy crazy stuff.

 

[blackshadow]

OK mate. Look Gaff may very well leave but until then could you please dial down your propaganda and insinuation on our board? This is not the Norf board. Opposition posters are welcome but you are pedalling some proper gossip and can't back it up.

I was answering a question from a WC supporter and then answered yours. Sorry if you don't like the answer.

Enjoy your flag!

 

[Falco]

I was answering a question from a WC supporter and then answered yours. Sorry if you don't like the answer.

Enjoy your flag!

He was more referring to you and other North posters jumping in on this thread and repeatedly telling us that you know its a done deal and that we're not matching etc., so you werent really answering one question from one WC poster were you?

 

[KERRPOW]

Gaff had been loyal...

The AFL is a business

Hes awesome but hed not.worth 1.2.

We won a flag without him. We will get kelly.

All said and done all the swings and roundabouts...

You win some you lose some.

Agree with everything apart from "we won the flag without him". Gaff played 20 games this season and was more than a major contributor during the season. His performances helped us win the premiership.

 

[DJMac]

He's already shown it's not all about the money. He left upwards of 600K on the table over two years to stay at GWS to chase a flag instead of accepting the offer from North.

AND

At the time he committed to GWS for two years he also committed to coming to North at the end of GWS deal knowing it would be for less money than was offered by North last year.

Lastly

Paul Connors, manager of both Gaff and Kelly advised Gaff that if he committed to North he'd be playing with Josh Kelly.

Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk

Not a very discreet manager. If he is that indescreet then I doubt what he allegedly says could be very reliable.

 

[ChampRevesby]

Agree with everything apart from "we won the flag without him". Gaff played 20 games this season and was more than a major contributor during the season. His performances helped us win the premiership.

He will put a big dent in the team when he leaves but as I have always said, I don't care who you are if you aren't loyal to the team then goodbye. I dont think he will have the same impact at Norf as he has had with us.

 

[Falco]

This.

We move on as a Club and plot our next success .

If players don't want to be at the Club, for what ever reason, then move them on and get players who want's to be on our list.

Gaff has been a very good player for us but he is not worth 1.2 million a year , that's the sort of coin you shell out for a match winner / game changer and Gaff as good as he is ins't that.

Gaffs defection is not all bad news as it now frees up 900K a year to spend on someone else.
Take the Compo Pick ( as shitty as it is ) and use it to either get an established player , or draft a kid .

Norths been very clever and its a very good bit of business. Well played by them.

However.

The Clubs management need to learn from this experience and ensure we are not deceived again.

Eighteen months out from a player becoming a RFA or UFA we put an extension in front of them.
If they wont sign, then let them know that they have the Clubs permission and approval to explore their options at the next trade period.

Also if it is at all possible avoid Victorian draftees / players who are managed by Conners .
Paul Connors has stung the Club twice so whats that saying " deceive me once shame on them deceive me twice shame on me . "

The Club needs to be proactive and identify our own RSA target and set up a similar coup to the once that has lost us Gaff.

We are somewhat fortunate that Gaff has chosen North rather than Melbourne, Richmond , Collingwood, Essendon or Hawthorn.
Him moving to North wont hurt us as much, as North are a fair way off the other Clubs I have mentioned above and therefore less of a threat.

Regardless of where he was to go we dust ourselves off and move on to bigger and better things......... like Cup # 5.

Andrew Gaff thanks for your past service.

SIDE NOTE.

Its going to be an interesting watch, to see in six or so years, just how the move goes for him and how the compensation pick we get and who Gaff's salary is now spent on, pans out for us.

While it feels like a kick in the balls at the minute.

In the fullness of time it may not be as brutal a blow as we are feeling now.

Whats annoying me is how this is all unfolding. Well played by North to lure him and place us in a very difficult position, but I think theres still more to play out in this before its a done deal. We certainly will not take this lying down.

Its bothering me that after 8 years at the club, 175 games, 2 x AA, the Brayshaw incident and all the other experiences he's had with us, he's basically chasing $ and leaving us in the lurch, screwing us for FA compo, which he knows isnt anywhere near his value. I get that his father's health is a major factor and whatever litany of regret he's going through after Brayshaw and then missing out on a flag with his mates because of his own decisions. Its stinging for the club. I get the feeling relationships between Gaffy, his mates, North and WC will never be the same after its all said and done.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Anywhere west of Leichhardt is too far west for for me.

As a rozelle resident I can’t agree. Rozelle, balmain and Lilyfield are all better than leichhardt

 

[JEagle]

$1.2 is too much to pay Gaff. Well done to North whose strategy looks likely to pay off. Gaff and Polec on the wings and Hall inside and outside transforms their midfield. If they snare Kelly, look out!

Gaffs run helped is win a few games this year, but we are far better placed to cover him with guys like Rioli and eventually Venables getting a run on ball.

Also in terms of importance to our team as a midfielder, he is ranked third behind Shuey and Yeo. That's just the way it is. In our structure he is simply not worth that coin. Trade amicably, get a deal and move on.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

So according to a north poster every gun now wants to play for north on under market salaries.

What a turnaround from being rejected by every big name player despite offering over market salaries!

 

[Cuzz09]

Stop Ben Brown who kicks their goals? All good hsving wingmen but who are they kicking to? No more Waite.

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[Lynch takes a mark]

$1.2M for a mid, that's crazy.

That's pre Carlton Judd or Ablett at his peak money.

Dangerfield isn't worth that.

Crazy crazy stuff.

This.

Probably the only players I would be giving that sort of money to are the likes of Tom Lynch, Oliver, Bont, Kelly, De Goey, Gawn, Hogan types

I would want for the player to be either the top 5 best mids/forwards/rucks in the game, Gaff is a really good players but...a lot of players I would take before him.

 

[FatPizza]

Still hope he stays. He compliments our game style nicely.

 

[Brunswick Trap King]

So according to a north poster every gun now wants to play for north on under market salaries.

What a turnaround from being rejected by every big name player despite offering over market salaries!

You forgot that they can offer way more than any other club but every player is actually accepting less than market rate.

NM was my second favourite club but I'm starting to see why everybody thinks their posters are the biggest ****wits in the league.

 

[Monocle]

Whats annoying me is how this is all unfolding. Well played by North to lure him and place us in a very difficult position, but I think theres still more to play out in this before its a done deal. We certainly will not take this lying down.

Its bothering me that after 8 years at the club, 175 games, 2 x AA, the Brayshaw incident and all the other experiences he's had with us, he's basically chasing $ and leaving us in the lurch, screwing us for FA compo, which he knows isnt anywhere near his value. I get that his father's health is a major factor and whatever litany of regret he's going through after Brayshaw and then missing out on a flag with his mates because of his own decisions. Its stinging for the club. I get the feeling relationships between Gaffy, his mates, North and WC will never be the same after its all said and done.

Falco don't get fooled by the woe is me bit by Gaff.

This North Melbourne deal has been in the making for over four months, along time before Gaff clocked Brayshaw or his father's heart attack.

Gaff is going for the $$$$$$ first and foremost.

The repeated 'Its not about the money " trotted out at every opportunity by gaff and Conners is no more than a throw away line.
I say this because Gaff himself said the he is after some team success if he returns home to Victoria and not influenced by money ....... then he picks North..... hello............ the two comments then somehow don't seem to align.

Gaffs sulky "woe is me" demeanour after the Grand Final is just his way of coming to terms with the fact that he has just missed out on (well for the foreseeable future ) getting a Premiership Medal.

I get that he is hurting BUT FFS his lack of any pleasure or positive emotion from seeing his mates success was a little ungracious and in fact selfish, by contrast the joy on the faces of NN, Shep, Ezy was inspiring.

 

[Priddis Is Done]

This.

Probably the only players I would be giving that sort of money to are the likes of Tom Lynch, Oliver, Bont, Kelly, De Goey, Gawn, Hogan types

I would want for the player to be either the top 5 best mids/forwards/rucks in the game, Gaff is a really good players but...a lot of players I would take before him.

I was more thinking midfielders.

I forgot about Cripps. But sh*t even he is not at the level of judd / Ablett.

And Bont, IMO, has plateud, so he's not $1.2M either.

You want utter superstars that are gamechangers week in week out on that kind if money.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Hope he makes his decision soon. Just hope we don't get sucked into paying too much for him, but surely if NM are willing to offer that much for him, they wouldn't give him up just because they have to give us a 1st round draft pick.