Hard and early? This is all for the benefit of the supporters, to show us that "they're doing all they can", similar to Fantasia's ludicrous announcement of a 5-year deal to Callan AFTER it was confirmed (semi) publicly that he was going.
If they haven't been negotiating this with GWS/AFL since it was first mooted no one has been doing their jobs -- I actually wanted us to do what Melbourne did mid-year, which was to keep up the facade of trying to keep Scully WHILE putting subtle public pressure on the AFL for top tier compensation, back when it ACTUALLY made a difference.
Compensation has been all but finalised -- we'll get unders for Callan, overs for Reid, most supporters will be happy with the overall outcome, our administration will say they did everything they could, the AFL will keep up the facade of process, and everything will return to normal.
Why would Malthouse care he isnt coaching them next year.
Bring back the biff
I don't get it, the AFL set out the ground rules under their compensation rules and what now it's a whole new game. Inflated wage = inflated compensation, you can't have it both ways as he falls under the age category and the salary category for a band 1. Getting tired of the Ablett comparison ( yes he's a better footballer) but we're merely abiding by rules set out by the competition!
I believe the club is right on demanding 2 first round picks for Ward. The media are claiming we are dreaming wanting that comparing him to Ablett. In reality we are comparing Ward to Scully as the AFL came out earlier in the year and said Melbourne would get 2 first rounders if Scully went to GWS. Surely Ward is rated more highly than Scully (with a degenerative knee problem) hence our demand.
Tier, in the very essence of the word, has a varience in it. Tier 1 tickets for a concert could be front row or row 25. Sure, Ablett might be the equivalent of front row, but if Ward sneaks in at row 25 then we're still entitled to the tier 1 compo.
I don't think you can compare anyone being discussed to Ablett. The formula is (should be) the formula.