This regrettable chapter surrounding free agency and North has really made me think more about the antiquated compensation system.
With hindsight, it's a shame Hawthorn hasn't taken advantage of it more. Now, we were a club largely competing for most of the large decade - so the idea of letting our players become restricted free agents is a silly one.
I genuinely can't think of the last time that a somewhat young Hawthorn player got to the final year of their contract, to even become eligible for restricted free agency.
However 2024 will be an interesting year.
Blake Hardwick, Conor Nash and Harry Morrison will all become restricted free agents. The first two are obviously very valuable additions to our side. But is there any world, where if we have a slow start to the year, one or two of the above could be allowed to get to the end of the year, negotiate with other teams and see if we can aid our rebuild with more top picks?
I'd be shocked if Hardwick didn't get good coin from somewhere. Morrison, if he plays like he did against Collingwood more consistency, just might find a decent contract somewhere as well.
Swings and roundabouts - we are getting consistently reamed ATM but our time will come. Don't forget that we plucked Hardwick Sicily and Lewis from very high picks, Reeves from nowhere and Nash arguably the best pound for pound Irish player in the league
Throw in Newcombe from MSD and hopefully Ramsden another MSD becomes and A grader as we are hoping he will.
In this years draft, McCabe is VERY highly rated and Dear has come from the clouds to hopefully form a great bookend of father son KP players going forward - these two are IN ADDITION to pick 4 which we must nail
Its easy to get caught up in the plethora of extra picks being given to North, GC and GWS in years gone by. We will be ok with sleepy Mark and Sam rebuilding the side