Thornton poised to join Hawks

[Philhawk]

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/09/27/1159337221831.html

Thornton may leave Blues for Hawthorn

Stephen Rielly
September 28, 2006



CARLTON full-back Bret Thornton might have played his last game for the Blues, with the 22-year-old understood to have privately indicated that he is prepared to move to Hawthorn.

Thornton flew out of Melbourne on Tuesday, destined for Thailand with a group of Carlton teammates, but did so after leaving behind a power of attorney with his manager, Anthony McConville, and an impression with several people close to him that a switch is more likely than not.

If Thornton leaves for Hawthorn, it will not be the only bad news the club will have received this week.

The AFL Commission voted on Monday to reject Carlton's request for the reinstatement of the 2002 priority pick that was taken from the club as part of its penalty for systematic salary cap breaches during the 1990s. The commission also learnt of the conclusions former St Kilda chief executive Jim Watts reached after his league-sanctioned investigation of Carlton's operations.

It is understood the report was highly critical of several administrative and board practices and the recent ground naming-rights deal with MC Labour.


The only bright note was Eddie Betts' agreement this week to a new two-year contract.

After several months of fruitless negotiating over a new contract, Thornton was left with a choice between a two-year Carlton offer comprising a guaranteed sum of $150,000 a season, and an earning capacity of up to $240,000 next year and $260,000 in 2008, or a three-year deal from the Hawks worth almost $300,000 a season.

His departure would not only be a significant loss to the Blues on the field but amount to a symbolically important blow given that the club is rebuilding and looking to a youth-led recovery.

Thornton has been a regular senior player almost from the time he stepped into the side in 2002. The 193-centimetre defender played all 22 games this year for a total of 91 in five seasons and finished seventh in the recent best-and-fairest count.

McConville would not comment yesterday other than to restate the fact that Carlton and his client were yet to reach any agreement on a new deal. "The ball is in Carlton's court, as it has been for some time," McConville said.

The Hawks are believed to be keen to trade for Thornton, something the Blues might be compelled to do given that they will not want to give up their chance to secure an uncontracted player by using their first pick in the pre-season draft on reclaiming a player who does not want to play for them.

Gee, on one hand you've got to sympathize with Carlton for all the rotten luck written about in that article, but on the other hand, we could be on the verge of signing a very, very talented young player.

That said, I hope we don't go over the top in trading for him. The cards are in our hands methinks. If Carlton isn't willing to dish out the money wanted by Thornton and his management, then he could threaten to enter the PSD unless traded to Hawthorn. Pick 24 perhaps? Maybe we could be generous and throw in Nick Reis?

 

[irish_setanta]

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/09/27/1159337221831.html



Gee, on one hand you've got to sympathize with Carlton for all the rotten luck written about in that article, but on the other hand, we could be on the verge of signing a very, very talented young player.

That said, I hope we don't go over the top in trading for him. The cards are in our hands methinks. If Carlton isn't willing to dish out the money wanted by Thornton and his management, then he could threaten to enter the PSD unless traded to Hawthorn. Pick 24 perhaps? Maybe we could be generous and throw in Nick Reis?

And then again it might be like last year with Fevola, and all the richmond clowns where crowing and look what happened there.

 

[Philhawk]

And then again it might be like last year with Fevola, and all the richmond clowns where crowing and look what happened there.

Fev wasn't offered 150k a year. Carlton at least had more respect for him.

 

[swift24]

Hope we get him though. Dont think we'll trade away pick 24. Maybe a later pick and one of our almost gone players in Miller/Boyle/Brennan (hope he stays)/Ries.

 

[mulhollanddrive]

The ball is HUGELY in our court if what they report is true.

It seems like he's left on holidays telling his manager to agree to our contract unless Carlton offer a better one. Plus other clubs i wouldnt think he'd be worth 300k/year unless they desperately needed a FB.

So the money seems good, he's got first crack at FB with a team on the rise, and hopefully he'll screw them over ala Hamill, so we won't have to give much away.

pick 24 and a Miller/Ries/Brennan/Thurgood type would be a good deal. Even better would be our pick 30-35 that we get from Everitt, but that may be a bit greedy since we aren't dealing with the Kangeroos.

 

[butchyboy]

The ball is HUGELY in our court if what they report is true.

It seems like he's left on holidays telling his manager to agree to our contract unless Carlton offer a better one. Plus other clubs i wouldnt think he'd be worth 300k/year unless they desperately needed a FB.

So the money seems good, he's got first crack at FB with a team on the rise, and hopefully he'll screw them over ala Hamill, so we won't have to give much away.

pick 24 and a Miller/Ries/Brennan/Thurgood type would be a good deal. Even better would be our pick 30-35 that we get from Everitt, but that may be a bit greedy since we aren't dealing with the Kangeroos.

Hardball time , pick 6 or he goes to Essendon in the PSD. Like it or lump it. Carlton must do what is best for them.

And hold the abuse, i know it is highway robbery and is a ransom request as such, but if you want him you pay overs or he goes into the psd, where Ess or NM pick b4 you guys.

Cheers

 

[lethalselbow]

Hardball time , pick 6 or he goes to Essendon in the PSD. Like it or lump it. Carlton must do what is best for them.

And hold the abuse, i know it is highway robbery and is a ransom request as such, but if you want him you pay overs or he goes into the psd, where Ess or NM pick b4 you guys.

Cheers

Can promise you that no clubs will be giving up first round draft picks. None.

Just checked out Carlton website. Funnily enough it had a dancing Kouta on the front page... kind of describes their season. Anyway... Thornton 192cm. 95kg. Big lad. Heaps of stats, but i guess the ball was down back a bit.

He's going to look good in the Brown & Gold.

 

[matsta1975]

as i stated on the 19th on the thornton issue hawthorn had already offerd him a contract, carlton want one of our young guns, but hawthorn are offering taylor,and a lessor player or pick

 

[lethalselbow]

If Taylor goes than our ruck list would be Campbell, Bailey then ?

 

[Herbs hawks]

as i stated on the 19th on the thornton issue hawthorn had already offerd him a contract, carlton want one of our young guns, but hawthorn are offering taylor,and a lessor player or pick

Sounds about right the one thing carlton need most apart from about 20 decent players is a ruckman.

Taylor and 4th rounder or Reis would be about right.

Offering him 300k a season i think he would almost slip to us in the PSD?


Then hopefully pick up the big BURGER with pick 6.

 

[butchyboy]

Can promise you that no clubs will be giving up first round draft picks. None.

Just checked out Carlton website. Funnily enough it had a dancing Kouta on the front page... kind of describes their season. Anyway... Thornton 192cm. 95kg. Big lad. Heaps of stats, but i guess the ball was down back a bit.

He's going to look good in the Brown & Gold.

Or Red & Black

 

[lethalselbow]

The big [SIZE=-1]Leunburger [/SIZE]will be a champ. Hope we get him, he's the best player in the draft!

Mmm... burger...

 

[Alex_au]

Taylor is under contract, why not deal Spider and a late pick to Carlton ?

 

[Hawkk]

This is hardly unusual, who wouldn't want to join us?

 

[Philhawk]

Hardball time , pick 6 or he goes to Essendon in the PSD. Like it or lump it. Carlton must do what is best for them.

And hold the abuse, i know it is highway robbery and is a ransom request as such, but if you want him you pay overs or he goes into the psd, where Ess or NM pick b4 you guys.

Cheers

Carlton are willing to let him go into the PSD for nothing? Sure they are.

If Thornton has got his sights firmly set on coming to us, he'll hold himself to ransom or enter the PSD. That said, he may be more loyal than that - but when you're being offered 150k a year, why would you be loyal?

 

[Alex_au]

Hardball time , pick 6 or he goes to Essendon in the PSD. Like it or lump it. Carlton must do what is best for them.

And hold the abuse, i know it is highway robbery and is a ransom request as such, but if you want him you pay overs or he goes into the psd, where Ess or NM pick b4 you guys.

Cheers

I don't think Carlton would be so stubborn, either they pay the guy a decent wage, or he is out. I would have thought that Carlton would need all the picks they can get. If he goes in the PSD then it is lose/lose for Calrton.

 

[bugsy]

Hardball time , pick 6 or he goes to Essendon in the PSD. Like it or lump it. Carlton must do what is best for them.

how is letting him go into the pre season draft for nothing "the best for Carlton"?
can people think before posting please! No wonder Carlton is in the **** they are in, with thinking like this.
Hawthorn wont be going flat out , do what it takes, to get Thornton.
We have offered him (money wise)what he is worth. Nothing more , i can see.

go away and sook somewhere else.
Take your soapbox with you

 

[Nightwolf]

If Taylor goes than our ruck list would be Campbell, Bailey then ?

Leunberger

Carlton will try and rape us, but Pelchin will show them how its done. Lovin it, dont care what he earns, hes young and plays FB, this is perfect for Hawthorn..

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Carlton are willing to let him go into the PSD for nothing? Sure they are.

If Thornton has got his sights firmly set on coming to us, he'll hold himself to ransom or enter the PSD. That said, he may be more loyal than that - but when you're being offered 150k a year, why would you be loyal?

You are aware that his first preference is to stay at Carlton, right ?

He wants at least 300k from us - which he deserves. Despite what the article says; we've offered him around 220k.

If he goes, he goes .. however .. some suggestions of giving us a dud + a late pick are "laughable".

 

[Philhawk]

You are aware that his first preference is to stay at Carlton, right ?

He wants at least 300k from us - which he deserves. Despite what the article says; we've offered him around 220k.

If he goes, he goes .. however .. some suggestions of giving us a dud + a late pick are "laughable".

Sure, his preference might be to stay with Carlton, but lets see how he feels after a few more months of bumbling contract negotiations makes him feel (as his manager stated). "The ball has been in Carltons court for a while now" ...

How is the suggestions debatable? I really dont see us giving more than a Pick 20 + perhaps a player for him. Sure, he's a good player, but if people think he's worth a 10-15 pick in this draft when his disposal is terrible then you're dreaming.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Sure, he's a good player, but if people think he's worth a 10-15 pick in this draft when his disposal is terrible then you're dreaming.

Hello Jonathan Hay ...

How is the suggestions debatable? I really dont see us giving more than a Pick 20 + perhaps a player for him.

You cannot tell me the following suggestions would be even considered:

Taylor and 4th rounder or Reis would be about right.

.... Ridicoulos

Taylor is under contract, why not deal Spider and a late pick to Carlton ?

..... Ridicoulos

Hope we get him though. Dont think we'll trade away pick 24. Maybe a later pick and one of our almost gone players in Miller/Boyle/Brennan (hope he stays)/Ries.

These are the "suggestions" that I refer to as laughable.

 

[Philhawk]

You cannot tell me the following suggestions would be even considered:



.... Ridicoulos



..... Ridicoulos



These are the "suggestions" that I refer to as laughable.

Yeh that's fair enough. If Thornton WERE to be traded to the Hawks, I would be thinking (i'm sure Carlton fans would disagree)


Scenario A

Spida --> Sydney

Pick 16 ---> Hawthorn ----> Carlton

Thornton -----> Hawthorn

Scenario B

Spida + Pick 24 ----> Carlton

Thornton ----> Hawthorn

I know that the latter one is definitely one out of left field - but maybe Carlton would be interested in Spida to a) Give them a decent ruckman to work with and b) To provide decent tutelage to Aisake O'Hailpin and some of the younger ruckmen on Carltons list.

 

[Nightwolf]

Spida would never agree to go to Carlton. He wants success not spoons..

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Yeh that's fair enough. If Thornton WERE to be traded to the Hawks, I would be thinking (i'm sure Carlton fans would disagree)


Scenario A

Spida --> Sydney

Pick 16 ---> Hawthorn ----> Carlton

Thornton -----> Hawthorn

Scenario B

Spida + Pick 24 ----> Carlton

Thornton ----> Hawthorn

I know that the latter one is definitely one out of left field - but maybe Carlton would be interested in Spida to a) Give them a decent ruckman to work with and b) To provide decent tutelage to Aisake O'Hailpin and some of the younger ruckmen on Carltons list.

I'd probably jump at the first option - but with all the talk of Sydney's intrest in Tarrant - it's unlikely to happen. But nonetheless, id be all over it.

The second is strange ... I dont think Spida is the kind of player that we would want (considering our mighty president's view on "youth") and secondly I dont think Spida would want to play for us. Would there be anychance of Hawthorn aquiring another 2nd round pick ?

Say Hawthorn got a 2nd rounder for Spida -- I'd take that + 24 for T-Bird.

 

[cs61]

More likely is a second round pick and a player who would make Carlton's 22.

Edit: Or as mentioned above, two second round picks. That would leave Carlton with a very strong hand in a very strong draft.