Liam Picken

[Eastdog]

Every bulldog has always loved Liam Picken but when you watch those highlights back to back you think to yourself "gee he's a gun - have even i been underrating him?"

Tonight once again was cracking in.

[1eyedog]

Picken from behind, Picken from behind. The smallest of the threesome! I'm going to miss Cometti.

[jeemak]

Every bulldog has always loved Liam Picken but when you watch those highlights back to back you think to yourself "gee he's a gun - have even i been underrating him?"

Do I count as a Bulldog?

I really didn't think what Picken brought to the table prior to Bevo coming to the club was enough, but he's proved me wrong. He's an excellent player.

[merantau]

What a player. He got us started against the Cokes. He was so good in that game. Only plays one way: pedal to the metal. Was great against Hawthorn, smashed in against the plastics and did some really vital things. And in the big one he was BEYOND EPIC. A Bulldog Legend for sure. If he never does anything else in football, rest assured, his legacy is written in stone and etched in the minds of all who were fortunate enough to witness his finals series.

[Eastdog]

What a player. He got us started against the Cokes. He was so good in that game. Only plays one way: pedal to the metal. Was great against Hawthorn, smashed in against the plastics and did some really vital things. And in the big one he was BEYOND EPIC. A Bulldog Legend for sure. If he never does anything else in football, rest assured, his legacy is written in stone and etched in the minds of all who were fortunate enough to witness his finals series.

So right merantau. I may repeat myself a lot about Picko but it's just to emphasise his significance to our footy club.

[Smads57]

He's been my favourite player for years (ever since he signed my cap around 6 years ago!)

[bulldogtragic]

So he's uncontracted at the end of the year. He will be 31 and our list management policy seems to be only offering only one year extensions passed 30. Does he get two years with his career best form, or one as per the policy applied Bob, Boyd, Dale & Gia etc. ?

[KT31]

So he's uncontracted at the end of the year. He will be 31 and our list management policy seems to be only offering only one year extensions passed 30. Does he get two years with his career best form, or one as per the policy applied Bob, Boyd, Dale & Gia etc. ?

I still think one year, lots of niggles and aches can quickly escalate when over 30.
One year is the safer and smarter option and keeps with precedence.

[GVGjr]

So he's uncontracted at the end of the year. He will be 31 and our list management policy seems to be only offering only one year extensions passed 30. Does he get two years with his career best form, or one as per the policy applied Bob, Boyd, Dale & Gia etc. ?

By mid season we will know if it's a one or two year contract that should be put in front of him.
I'd say right now I'd offer him a 2 year deal with some stipulations for the 2nd season around incentives on games played

[bulldogtragic]

I still think one year, lots of niggles and aches can quickly escalate when over 30.
One year is the safer and smarter option and keeps with precedence.

By mid season we will know if it's a one or two year contract that should be put in front of him.
I'd say right now I'd offer him a 2 year deal with some stipulations for the 2nd season around incentives on games played

Precedence is important, I think an argument could be made that we had a Minno a year longer, admittedly that was a different deal. But as we start to get players from this generation approaching 30, if it's the cultural norm at the club that 30+ only get 1 year extensions then we shouldn't have any issues offering one year extensions in the future. With his current rise in output though, and free agent status (and probability he could get more cash), I'd imagine he'd want two years without conditions. It's an interesting case as if we are telling him/his manager 1 year or 2 years with conditions, and if he's not happy with that, then we effectively allow other clubs to pitch free agency indicative offers to his manager. As per Daniel Wells last year when North's unconditional 2 year offer came in too late.

I'm split each way, as I think he deserves 2 years, but one year extensions weren't an issue for Bob, Boyd, Dale or Gia recently. And creating an understanding in the club about this stance/rule is a good thing longer term. I also wonder if a club like GCS would offer him a fair bit more cash because of his ability to play midfield, tag and play forward.

[GVGjr]

Precedence is important, I think an argument could be made that we had a Minno a year longer, admittedly that was a different deal. But as we start to get players from this generation approaching 30, if it's the cultural norm at the club that 30+ only get 1 year extensions then we shouldn't have any issues offering one year extensions in the future. With his current rise in output though, and free agent status (and probability he could get more cash), I'd imagine he'd want two years without conditions. It's an interesting case as if we are telling him/his manager 1 year or 2 years with conditions, and if he's not happy with that, then we effectively allow other clubs to pitch free agency indicative offers to his manager. As per Daniel Wells last year when North's unconditional 2 year offer came in too late.

I'm split each way, as I think he deserves 2 years, but one year extensions weren't an issue for Bob, Boyd, Dale or Gia recently. And creating an understanding in the club about this stance/rule is a good thing longer term. I also wonder if a club like GCS would offer him a fair bit more cash because of his ability to play midfield, tag and play forward.

I'm not too concerned about it either was but to me precedence is just a consideration but I'm not sure it's that important. Have our players felt slighted because the now 30yo Travis Cloke has a two year deal or do they understand he's priced himself into that type of position?

I think players are now realistic enough to know that once a contract expires when they are in their 30's clubs are going to try and offer them minimal deals but in tenure and from a financial perspective.

Picken will most likely be offered a one year deal but come mid season and if his form is good enough I wouldn't be too concerned if we put a 2 year deal in front of him.

[boydogs]

If it was this year + next I would do 2, but at the end of the year he will be 31 and we're yet to see how he performs in 2017. He would have to have an end to the year similar to last year's to demand another 2 IMO

[Ozza]

Absolutely love Picko, and so have all of his coaches it would seem.

Correct me if I'm wrong - but since he debuted in round 2, 2009, I don't believe he has ever been dropped - he has only ever missed due to injury or suspension. He's been marvellously consistent and is undersold as an athlete.

Having said all this, we have set the 1 year precedent with the likes of Boyd, Bob and Morris - so I see no good enough reason to not stick to that again.

[always right]

He's been a warrior. Year after year posters on this board had him out of our best 22 prior to each year commencing......only to be proven wrong time and time again. Likely to get two years unless the wheels fall off.

[Bulldog Revolution]

I'm not too concerned about it either was but to me precedence is just a consideration but I'm not sure it's that important. Have our players felt slighted because the now 30yo Travis Cloke has a two year deal or do they understand he's priced himself into that type of position?

I think players are now realistic enough to know that once a contract expires when they are in their 30's clubs are going to try and offer them minimal deals but in tenure and from a financial perspective.

Picken will most likely be offered a one year deal but come mid season and if his form is good enough I wouldn't be too concerned if we put a 2 year deal in front of him.

I wouldn't be concerned either - Bevo recognises and values what the senior players bring to the table and Picken fits comfortably in the lineage of bulldog leaders - Murphy, Boyd, Morris, gia, cross, Johnson, smith, Darcy, grant, west, S Wallis - all who get the most out of their ability