This is getting ridicolous.

[Power Raid]

Ridiculous comment.

The military once had an AFL type attitude but already softened its stance. Interesting to hear a busted arse entity like the military is more progressive than many people's attitudes.

 

[LoungeLizard]

The military once had an AFL type attitude but already softened its stance. Interesting to hear a busted arse entity like the military is more progressive than many people's attitudes.

Why don't we just have players playing only from the state they come from then?
If he signed a contract, then bloody well honor it.

 

[Gravity]

The military once had an AFL type attitude but already softened its stance. Interesting to hear a busted arse entity like the military is more progressive than many people's attitudes.

The military aren't aiming for an even competition.

 

[DanA]

The military once had an AFL type attitude but already softened its stance. Interesting to hear a busted arse entity like the military is more progressive than many people's attitudes.

The miilitary lets you leave your four year contract early now? That's news to me

 

[Plugger35]

Yep ridicolous, he signed a contract so he should be made to stick to it.

The homesickness excuse is a cop out, it's not like anyone dies from being homesick so he just needs to harden up.

 

[JackFlash]

Players should be able to change clubs without restriction.

It's up to the afl to work out compensation and pay to equalise the competition if they feel the need

He signed a contract until 2017!!! GWS have every right to play hard ball, they believed he was their player for the next two seasons. I think more restrictions should be placed on player managers than anything else!

 

[PurpleEyes]

Perhaps his manager could have advised him better and made sure he was going to be happy staying in Sydney long-term before inking a new contract. Seems odd that he was drafted at the end of 2013 and then signed an extension a few months later. Was he unhappy with his original contract or did he have reservations about committing when he was drafted? Or is this simply what happens?

If he was happy extending his contract, then he has to see it out or Freo have to offer something more enticing.

At the time, GWS were drafting in high numbers. They would have been offering only 1 or 2 year contracts to those young draftees until they got to see how good they were. When McCarthy signed his extension, GWS also signed extensions with Stewart, Kelly and Barrett. Now try to imagine and look at it through the eyes of McCarthy and his manager. You have never played an AFL game and you have just moved away from home. You have just turned 19, so any homesick feelings would be easily dismissed by all because the environment is all very new. A contract extension gives these young players a massive financial security boost. McCarthy did not have Freo or any other clubs knocking down the door, so his option of not signing an extension at that stage of his AFL career would be downright stupid. Nevermind the fact that players can still request trades and move clubs while still under contract ... unless your club is being unreasonable and has little respect for it's players desires.

 

[Andrew Mc]

A contract extension gives these young players a massive financial security boost. McCarthy did not have Freo or any other clubs knocking down the door, so his option of not signing an extension at that stage of his AFL career would be downright stupid.

Perhaps now then he can show some loyalty to a club that put some faith and investment in him.

 

[Happy_Neale]

In 2013 Elliot Yeo said he wanted to go home to play golf with his mates and nobody cared. Don't know why this would change anything but I hope it does.

 

[DangerSloane]

Ok, so I am all for footballers wishing to head home due to homesickness, if they feel they will play better close to home, without being bothered by isolation etc, than sure why not.

But, this article got me thinking, footballers and the AFL are becoming pathetic.



Meet with his parents? wtf? surely his a big boy now, being in an elite competition and having had been away for home, isn't it time he grows the **** up and takes responsibility for his own shit?

in a few years time, AFL is gonna start sending home "report cards" and holding parent-coach meetings. Might as well if we are gonna start treating them like children.

I see what you're saying, but as someone that just lost their father, there's a lot more to it than being a big boy and growing up.

I was lucky I always lived in the same state as my family, but it IS a big deal to a lot of people.

I almost moved away for work a few years ago, and I'm so glad I didn't because I got to spend time with my old man before he passed on.

yes we all call Gunston a mummas boy for heading home, but deep down I don't blame him.

Also I can imagine living in Western Sydney would be bloody terrible.

 

[DangerSloane]

I use to live in Syria by myself when I was his age worse than Sydney and didn't get his money, seriously players need to stop being like children, draftees shouldn't be able to leave until after 4 years,

And did you come home? Or stay in Syria?

Yeah...good point

 

[DangerSloane]

You for real? I'm in a class at the moment with people fleeing a war zone, 17 years old, don't speak the local language, and have no money. But it's all too hard for a 19 year old well paid aussie footballer to play out a contract he signed. Harden up.

Yeah and you reckon they'd choose that over being at home (if it was a viable option)?

You're actually arguing against your own points.

 

[estibador]

The homesickness excuse is a cop out, it's not like anyone dies from being homesick so he just needs to harden up.

Well they do if you count suicide.

In 2013 Elliot Yeo said he wanted to go home to play golf with his mates and nobody cared. Don't know why this would change anything but I hope it does.

And no one ever cares when a Melbourne boy wants to return home... even in this same trading period.

But in the case of a Perth boy the VFL media all band together and call for GWS to 'make a stand'.

 

[base615]

You know what else is ridicolous these days, spelling.

May I add the incorrect use of punctuation. Commas in place of question marks, for example.

 

[Tiger2709]

Players should be able to change clubs without restriction.

It's up to the afl to work out compensation and pay to equalise the competition if they feel the need

This is just silly and this is why players have contracts if you don't want to be at a club don't sign the damn contract, oh but that would risk the high pay most are on...can't have it both ways.

 

[Tiger2709]

Contracts over people are worthless especially if they no longer want to work for you

That's fine, as long as the player is willing to financially reimburse the club for the time and effort it has put in as the clubs side of the contract agreement, you cant have it both ways.

 

[LoungeLizard]

At the time, GWS were drafting in high numbers. They would have been offering only 1 or 2 year contracts to those young draftees until they got to see how good they were. When McCarthy signed his extension, GWS also signed extensions with Stewart, Kelly and Barrett. Now try to imagine and look at it through the eyes of McCarthy and his manager. You have never played an AFL game and you have just moved away from home. You have just turned 19, so any homesick feelings would be easily dismissed by all because the environment is all very new. A contract extension gives these young players a massive financial security boost. McCarthy did not have Freo or any other clubs knocking down the door, so his option of not signing an extension at that stage of his AFL career would be downright stupid. Nevermind the fact that players can still request trades and move clubs while still under contract ... unless your club is being unreasonable and has little respect for it's players desires.

Correct if i am wrong.
But are you trying to say, he was happy to stay until Freo came knocking?

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Haha are you serious? So every year teams like Collingwood have the choice of a plethora of young talent and teams like Brisbane can clean up the dregs. Have you emailed Gillon Mclachlan these revelations?

The point is people need to stop complaining about players wanting to go home, they get told they have to play for clubs they do not wish to play for from the start so they are entitled to move home as soon as they can.

 

[Ando727]

I use to live in Syria by myself when I was his age worse than Sydney and didn't get his money, seriously players need to stop being like children, draftees shouldn't be able to leave until after 4 years,

Syria ain't what is used to be.. How would you feel about going back now?

 

[Furn2]

Its fine to say you can work where you want, but then get rid of guaranteed contracts.

If he does a knee pre-season and never plays again, he gets paid out the rest of his contract in full.

If players want to go where they want when they want then if Players get injured, no money, they lose form they get cut on a weeks notice and replaced.

Players want all the freedom of overseas sports without any of the downside.

 

[fpm84]

I can understand when a player wants to break a contract to return home on compassionate grounds eg Dayne Beams or Tom Bell.

Is there any suggestion of this with McCarthy?

 

[DangerSloane]

May I add the incorrect use of punctuation. Commas in place of question marks, for example.

Actually its a statement and would never require a question mark.
You know is not do you know.

 

[DangerSloane]

I can understand when a player wants to break a contract to return home on compassionate grounds eg Dayne Beams or Tom Bell.

Is there any suggestion of this with McCarthy?

See this annoys me.
What if McCarthy's health is being affected by being away from his family?

Why cant it be the player's health and not the health of the family?

 

[Benno355]

See this annoys me.
What if McCarthy's health is being affected by being away from his family?

Why cant it be the player's health and not the health of the family?

Then retire.
The AFL isnt new. You want to play professional football, you understand there is a significant risk of playing in a team you didnt barrack for. If at the end of you contract you really want to play for the team you followed as a kid or closer to family etc, then request a trade/exercise your free agency.
If the club decides 1 x year in that Dale Thomas is a waste of money, they cannot cut him loose and stop paying him. A contract is a contract.

 

[telsor]

Agree with OP to some extent. If you move interstate to take on a job in a different field you can still move back home without your employer forcing you to stay though. However He signed a contract midway through the season which binds him to the club. You can't just break a contract you just signed and expect to get what you want. Very petulant. Besides, I wonder how much his "homesickness" is due to Freo's contract offer.

Yeah, it's amazing how many 'homesick' players 'just happen' to fit into their destination clubs needs, and how fringe players don't seem to get 'homesick' nearly as often.

Not many 'homesick' FFs desperately wanting to get to WCE right now, are there.