Western Bulldogs keen to lock in Adam Cooney to new contract

[BulldogBelle]

The sooner Cooney is signed the better and congrats to him on his upcoming wedding...

Western Bulldogs keen to lock in Adam Cooney to new contract
Mark Stevens | Herald Sun | Oct 21

THE Western Bulldogs want to move quickly to extend the contract of Adam Cooney, aware the Brownlow medallist is a prime target for Gold Coast.

Cooney, believed to be the highest-paid player at Whitten Oval, comes out of contract at the end of next season.

The timing is perfect for a cashed-up Gold Coast, which has the ability to offer up to $1.2 million a season for a marquee signing.

Cooney joins Gary Ablett, Lance Franklin and Joel Selwood as the highest-profile players not tied to their clubs beyond 2010.

Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia last night confirmed the Dogs were keen to get Cooney locked away well before the start of next season.

Fantasia is waiting for Cooney's manager, Rick Olarenshaw, to return from holidays before stepping on to the front foot.

Click HERE to read the remainder of the article.....

[LostDoggy]

Come on Dogs, sign him up!! We don't need a season full of rumours and speculation, we need COOOOOOOOON to concentrate on helping the Dogs win a premiership.

[The Coon Dog]

Come on Dogs, sign him up!! We don't need a season full of rumours and speculation, we need COOOOOOOOON to concentrate on helping the Dogs win a premiership.

It's not so much the Dogs wanting to sign him up, more he & his manager determining when the best time for him would be.

I think many player managers would be holding off on signing for a while & seeing what to make of the inevitable offers that will ensue from north of the border.

[Hotdog60]

If we get Cooney to stay would it be because the club will have some extra cash with maybe Johnno, Aker, Eagle, Hudson and a trade or two going next year. Also it would depend on Cooney if his happy being at the one club.

[Sockeye Salmon]

If we get Cooney to stay would it be because the club will have some extra cash with maybe Johnno, Aker, Eagle, Hudson and a trade or two going next year. Also it would depend on Cooney if his happy being at the one club.

Except Johnno and Eagle (if he stays) are already vets listed and Aker is playing for peanuts this year. That's hardly going to free up anything.

Someone big will go.

[EasternWest]

Maybe it's naive, but I don't think Cooney re-signing will be as drawn out or as precarious feeling as Lake. I think Cooney is happy at the kennel and would probably take less than GC could offer because he knows we're close. Were GC 3 years down the track and we hadn't won a flag in that time, it may be a different story, but I think the time is right for Cooney to stay.

[bulldogtragic]

We just have to resign ourselves to losing a star player. Pretty simple. You saw how RickyO handled Farren and Brian...

[strebla]

We just have to resign ourselves to losing a star player. Pretty simple. You saw how RickyO handled Farren and Brian...

I am sure we will lose a very good player possibly even two but I don't think any of our stars will leave the club.Our football club is now up there with the big boys on and off the field we need more members but IMHO I think our stars see themselves setting our club up for the long haul.When Aker signs it will send a strong message to the whole list WE ARE GOING PLACES be a part of it!!!!

[hujsh]

Who says we have to lose a big star? There can only be so many 'big stars' at their club and it doesn't have to include one of ours.

[Go_Dogs]

Who says we have to lose a big star? There can only be so many 'big stars' at their club and it doesn't have to include one of ours.

Agreed, and I'd like to think the star players at clubs close to, but not yet having enjoyed premiership success will certainly want to stick around at their current clubs.

I guess the concern is however, our TPP. If we can't maintain all our higher earning players inside the TPP limit, then our hand may be forced, which I think is what SS was alluding to.

Either way, the list management stuff gets super interesting over the next few years as EVERYONE is in new territory.

[Doc26]

Geelong have shown it can be managed, hopefully we follow in their footsteps and retain our guns whilst having two new cups in the cabinet to join old '54.

btw Isn't Griff due next year as well ?

[KT31]

Geelong have shown it can be managed, hopefully we follow in their footsteps and retain our guns whilst having two new cups in the cabinet to join old '54.

btw Isn't Griff due next year as well ?

Would love both Cooney and Griff to stay.
Imo Griff will return home, but Cooney will stay.
He is happy in Melbourne now, loves the club and has a young family who are settled.

Griff may be a bit home sick after his fathers passing and might want to move closer to family.

If we win a flag this season everyone will want to stay.

[ledge]

Griff is from SA, going to the GC will take him further from home, the new clubs are the ones with the big money not Adelaide or Port.

[KT31]

Griff is from SA, going to the GC will take him further from home, the new clubs are the ones with the big money not Adelaide or Port.

I didn't say he would be Gold Coast bound.
Adelaide and Port may lose players to the Gold Coast and that in turn will free up money for them.
IMO out of contract and with us with little cap left, Port and Adelaide may be able tp persuade hime to move home.