James Fantasia

[Sedat]

Re: James Fantasia

To be honest, I think if the difference in what they offer him and what we can offer him is half a million for 5 years, it's going to come down purely to whether Cal wants the cash or to stay in Melbourne. We can't go anywhere near matching that and it would seriously hurt our ability to retain players for the next 3-5 years.
I'd hate for him to go, but I don't think I'd put that one on Fantasia or anyone else at the club aside from Ward.

Dustin Martin and Andrew Swallow have been offered similarly ridiculous sums of money to head to GWS and both had little hesitation in staying put - both are also better credentialed players than Cal currently is, and are a similar age to Cal (slightly younger in Martin's case, slightly older in Swallow's). That's the true value of an astute footy operations manager. Fantasia can either just throw his hands in the air like it is all too difficult, or actually get to work on retaining Ward for a fair price, espousing the attractiveness of our club, our facilities, and our city in the process.

If we can't put this to Fantasia, who is directly responsible for contract negotiations and list management, then who should we put this to? It's a bloody big job but that is what Fantasia is paid handsomely by the club to do. Fantasia's equivalent at Richmond and North got the job done with little fuss or fanfare, so hopefully he can get a win on the board in his direct area of responsibility - he sure as hell needs it.

[The Underdog]

Re: James Fantasia

Dustin Martin and Andrew Swallow have been offered similarly ridiculous sums of money to head to GWS and both had little hesitation in staying put - both are also better credentialed players than Cal currently is, and are a similar age to Cal (slightly younger in Martin's case, slightly older in Swallow's). That's the true value of an astute footy operations manager. Fantasia can either just throw his hands in the air like it is all too difficult, or actually get to work on retaining Ward for a fair price, espousing the attractiveness of our club, our facilities, and our city in the process.

If we can't put this to Fantasia, who is directly responsible for contract negotiations and list management, then who should we put this to? It's a bloody big job but that is what Fantasia is paid handsomely by the club to do. Fantasia's equivalent at Richmond and North got the job done with little fuss or fanfare, so hopefully he can get a win on the board in his direct area of responsibility - he needs it.

Given that both are better credentialled players though there is likely to be less of a gap in what they will get at Richmond and North (who also have less money tied up in well credentialled players because they don't have many) than what there will be with Cal. I have no doubt that the club are working on Cal and want him to sign and are doing what you've suggested, but Ward's manager is clearly putting it out there that it's going to take big dollars to sign Cal and I'm not sure we can afford on a number of levels to do that.
A lot of it will come down to what Ward himself wants. If it's cash (which it doesn't appear to have been with Martin and Swallow, both possibly captains of their teams within 3 years) then Fantasia is pushing shit uphill no matter how good or bad he is at his job.

[Topdog]

Re: James Fantasia

If anyone believes the $800k a year for Callan stories than they have rocks in their head.

[The Underdog]

Re: James Fantasia

If anyone believes the $800k a year for Callan stories than they have rocks in their head.

Perhaps, but Connors is clearly trying to drive up the price for his clients using the media and whichever way you look at it, that isn't good for us.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: James Fantasia

Given that both are better credentialled players though there is likely to be less of a gap in what they will get at Richmond and North (who also have less money tied up in well credentialled players because they don't have many) than what there will be with Cal. I have no doubt that the club are working on Cal and want him to sign and are doing what you've suggested, but Ward's manager is clearly putting it out there that it's going to take big dollars to sign Cal and I'm not sure we can afford on a number of levels to do that.
A lot of it will come down to what Ward himself wants. If it's cash (which it doesn't appear to have been with Martin and Swallow, both possibly captains of their teams within 3 years) then Fantasia is pushing shit uphill no matter how good or bad he is at his job.

It might also be a case of "let's offer Martin $500K" and he turned them down.
"Let's offer Swallow $600K then" and he turned them down.
"Bugger it. Let's offer Ward $800K..."

[azabob]

Re: James Fantasia

Posters seem to think Fantasia has a weakness in negotiation and identifying players worth.

Thinking outside the box could we look to try and attract a players manager to come work for the club and do the negotiations?

One problem with my suggestion is the player manager would most likely have to take a pay cut.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: James Fantasia

One problem with my suggestion is the player manager would most likely have to take a pay cut.

I reckon that might just be a sticking point.

[Greystache]

Re: James Fantasia

Today didn't help Fantasia's standing, to give a 3 year contract and give up a 3rd round draft pick for a guy who looks at best a project player just seems bizare.

To give a 3 year contract to a player who's been in the AFL system for 4 years, you'd want to be certain he's a sure thing.

[ledge]

Re: James Fantasia

On the other end of the scale, love this Dahlhaus kid.

[GVGjr]

Re: James Fantasia

Today didn't help Fantasia's standing, to give a 3 year contract and give up a 3rd round draft pick for a guy who looks at best a project player just seems bizare.

To give a 3 year contract to a player who's been in the AFL system for 4 years, you'd want to be certain he's a sure thing.

Just on this, Dalrymple did mentioned that we watched him every week last year so our recruiting team should be measured against if he adds value or not.
The 3 year deal seems at best to be optimistic.

[The Underdog]

Re: James Fantasia

Just on this, Dalrymple did mentioned that we watched him every week last year so our recruiting team should be measured against if he adds value or not.
The 3 year deal seems at best to be optimistic.

Hopefully he's cheap

[Topdog]

Re: James Fantasia

gee he looked poor.

[LostDoggy]

Re: James Fantasia

Who decision was it to promote Barlow? Can we de-promote him and list Panos?

[GVGjr]

Re: James Fantasia

Who decision was it to promote Barlow? Can we de-promote him and list Panos?

Once a player is promoted you can't just change your mind

[Topdog]

Re: James Fantasia

I didn't think Barlow was that bad last night. Thought he had a good first half.