Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

[The Coon Dog]

Peter Hanlon - The Age - 25 June

HERE'S a taste of what people think Callan Ward should do, and goodness knows there's been no shortage of folk - some of whom even know him - offering to help make the biggest decision of his young life …

Tired of fielding questions about whether her son is going to Greater Western Sydney, Kerri Ward recently ran his dilemma by her grade fives in their persuasive writing class. Many at the Williamstown school are Western Bulldogs fans, yet when they heard what was being offered, the classroom could have been a live audience at a TV game show - ''Take the money! Go!''

Ward met GWS officials for a second time early this week, and a five-year offer of lottery-win proportions was laid out; bells, whistles, carrots and all. People baulk at voicing figures with so many zeroes in them; it almost sounds dirty. Suffice to say, a recent claim that he would sacrifice as much as $2 million over five years to stay a Bulldog now appears quite conservative.


Article in full...

[chef]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

'When Callan and his twin sister Aysha were little, and the Wards would get together with Footscray-following friends, their dad would ask them, ''What do the Bulldogs do?'' And the kids would answer, ''The Bulldogs break your heart'''

Nice article and how true.

Lucky I'm a glutton for punishment.

[Flamethrower]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

Peter Hanlon - The Age - 25 June


Ward met GWS officials for a second time early this week, and a five-year offer of lottery-win proportions was laid out; bells, whistles, carrots and all.

I nearly fell off my chair when I read this. This is poaching, and for the AFL to approve of it stinks. In season poaching of players goes against the culture of Australian Rules football. It belongs in heathen sports like the NRL and English football.

I dont mind the fact that the Giants can sound out potential players before the season, and even get them to agree not to resign with their current clubs so that the AFL/GWS can throw Lotto money at they to defect. But once the season starts, it should be hands off!!!!!

[ledge]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

I find the article is leading him away, just remember he might not get the money they are offering but he wont be poor either way, it will be a decent pay he will get at the dogs too.
He also gets to stay in his comfort zone with mates etc.
Chris the Great did it he doesnt have regrets that we know of.
The thing is nowadays I think supporters are more understanding of players leaving for money, lets face it the draft is preperation for that, you dont go where you want unless your lucky, I just wonder how many players would be at the clubs they are at now if they could have the choice.
He is a lucky one he ended up close to home with mates etc.
It will be sad if he leaves but for the club one door closes another one opens.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

money can't buy you love.

In China, there is the concept of 'social capital'

Has anyone calculated how much social capital Callan stands to collect if he stays?
He will forever be known as 'the guy who gave up millions to stand by his team'.
Kids everywhere will idolize him, not at the end of his career, like grant, but now, at the start.

He's smart if he stays IMO because in terms of endorsements and other opportunities, he will come out pretty even ( having as much as a man could want in any respect. Who needs more than 700,000 in a year anyway??? ) in the end, plus get all the social capital that goes with being a club man.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

Reading that, I reckon he's gone.

[ledge]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

Reading that, I reckon he's gone.

According to that we will find out in 2 weeks, in that case what does the club do? play him or give another kid a go, why nurture another clubs player?
Can of worms here?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

money can't buy you love.

In China, there is the concept of 'social capital'

Has anyone calculated how much social capital Callan stands to collect if he stays?
He will forever be known as 'the guy who gave up millions to stand by his team'.
Kids everywhere will idolize him, not at the end of his career, like grant, but now, at the start.

He's smart if he stays IMO because in terms of endorsements and other opportunities, he will come out pretty even ( having as much as a man could want in any respect. Who needs more than 700,000 in a year anyway??? ) in the end, plus get all the social capital that goes with being a club man.

Some very good points GD.

that article has a subtle subtext of ' gee, wouldn't it be
an amazing romantic story if he said no to all that money and put the love of the club before all else'

.. has hollywood feelgood story written all over it ! a canny manager could really milk that angle

[Remi Moses]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

Is this article written and authorized by K. Sheedy and the AFL.
Awful article such tripe as "people tell him he could be happier, the GWS will make it happen"
You can only count your money for so long, still gotta live there!

[GVGjr]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

I feel sick reading this. What are they doing to our game when an artificial soulless non identity of a club, put together just as a strategic plan to have AFL presence in certain key locations, can wave this amount of money around?

I'd felt so confident Cal Ward was going to stay. My disgust is not with him but the direction footy is headed in. How disillusioning for us loyal patient fans to see our club being shafted by this kind of system.

[chef]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

According to that we will find out in 2 weeks, in that case what does the club do? play him or give another kid a go, why nurture another clubs player?
Can of worms here?

If the compo is based on his wage at GWS, play the kids and screw him if he's gone. If it's based on his performance this season, play him every game and give him the B&F.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

If we offer him 400 and The promise of Boyd's job, he will stay.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

I meant Boyd's job in a year or two.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

They spelt James Hinds' name wrong.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Callan Ward - Should he stay or should he go?

They spelt James Hinds' name wrong.

Poor Jimma, gets his name spelt wrong in the paper & then gets knocked out for Spotty ressies this afternoon!