Cooney will stay with Dogs: Darcy

[bornadog]

BAD, as always great work with the media updates. Don't say it enough, appreciate the constant updates you provide this forum. They make it a great place to source Bulldog news.

Kudos.

Cheers, just trying to stimulate discussion

[Dry Rot]

Great. His manager is Marty Pask, former gameless Bulldogs rookie and mastermind behind the Brian Lake defection (has also posted numerous pathetic ideas to fix problems in the game on twitter). Can't wait to see how he makes this one play out

Hawks may have cap space if Buddy leaves.

[bornadog]

Cooney, Dogs in waiting game

Adam Cooney is training, playing and bouncing out of packs again. He's doing things he hasn't done in a while and he looks happy doing them, which is good news for him and his Western Bulldogs. For the first time in a long time Cooney didn't start a season wondering how he would get through it. His form in the first six weeks has been a nice reminder of his brilliant past and, he no doubt hopes, an indication of what he can keep producing for two, three or more years.
Cooney was one of 12 restricted free agents on the updated list released by the AFL on Wednesday, and that he and the Bulldogs are happily not rushing to discuss a new deal yet isn't surprising and shouldn't be, given free agency is upon us, making both clubs and players consider their value in different ways than they once did, and not necessarily in nasty ways.
It will be a while before seasons end with a raft of star players leaving their team for the dollars offered by another. Clubs generally keep their stars and players most often want to stay, but Cooney and the Dogs are an interesting case.
It makes sense for Cooney to wait, to back himself and his rejuvenated form. If he keeps playing well then he can expect a good offer from the Bulldogs and potentially have others to consider. Cooney last re-signed early in 2010, before his knee problems reached their worst, and is possibly due for a price drop, but who knows what might come his way. Keep fit and he could have a choice to make.

There is less reason for the Bulldogs to rush. They're piecing together a new team and will have to work out whether they see Cooney in it when it's challenging again, or whether a compensation pick would better suit their long-term plans. He's only 27 and his best is still at times their best - at this point in time. The club, clearly, knows as much about the long-term prospects of his damaged knee as he does. The Bulldogs have plenty of things to consider and Cooney's status as a restricted free agent means they have plenty of time to think them through.

This means that even if he gets another offer, the Dogs could match it. Waiting means potentially paying him more than they would by re-signing him now, but the difference wouldn't be much and he's already one of their most highly paid players. It's not a decision they need to make now.

[Remi Moses]

I'd be alarmed if they signed Adam on the same contract.
To me it's a win win situation for the club ( unless they offer a silly deal )
Welcome to the world of F/ A folks!

[LostDoggy]

I brought up Cooney yesterday as a player to potentially be moved on at the end of the season.

He's had his debilitating knee problem for a number of years. The treatment he's received during the off-season appears to have helped but he's out of contract at the end of the year.

Correct me if I’m wrong but he's still got another two years before he can be moved onto the veterans list? My understanding is that a player has to have been on the list for at least ten years AND be at least 30 years of age on the 30 of September of the current season (just happens to be Coons' birthday).

Therefore he has at least two years, this September (turns 28) before he can put on the veterans list based on the age qualifications.

No idea what he's on, but it'd be +500k? If he was to be signed for another one-two years it’s likely be the same money, maybe more if he plays hardball.

Question is why would we sign him for any more than one season with his knee troubles (bearing in mind he's got another 14 games to go this season and a preseason next year, if signed, where his knee could again play up). He's flashed in and out of games this season. He may well become more consistent for the remainder of this season, who knows, but he's in my 5 senior players who decisions needs to be made on, starting now, as to their currently functionality and use in taking the club forward.

If a GWS/GC or top four side want him for two seasons and match/beat our offer, then I wouldn’t be shattered to lose him, for the benefit of the future. None of this is taking away from him being a favourite son.

For reference my players I’m referring to: (in order of decisions needing to be made)
- Cross
-Gia
-Cooney
- Boyd ( I honestly thinks he needs a refresh and is injured, but he's still on the wane)
-Morris

* Note: I only think three maximum need to go at the end of the season, but they're the senior players that form the core of those decisions.

[Murphy'sLore]

Hasn't Gia already said that this year will be his last?

[AndrewP6]

Hasn't Gia already said that this year will be his last?

Yes he's said it likely will be.