Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

[Doc26]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Andrew Swallow was offered the once in a lifetime deal that no sane person could possibly reject.

But how much of Andrew's decision was of the Club's doing. I mean what I know of him he's made of different stuff, full of integrity and an impressive value set. Unfortunately from what I've gleaned out of this is that Ward falls short of Andrew Swalllow in the values stakes, as would many if not most.

Club's such as ours continue to play in a different ballpark to those who best feed the AFL's financial greed. I don't wish to smack our admin. / operations in an area such as this when we've got two hands tied behind our back before we even start.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

But how much of Andrew's decision was of the Club's doing. I mean what I know of him he's made of different stuff, full of integrity and an impressive value set. Unfortunately from what I've gleaned out of this is that Ward falls short of Andrew Swalllow in the values stakes.

That's a point!

I wasn't going to mention this but considering he is no longer in town here goes.

I was at a pub in Willy one night and saw the pride of Blacktown out with a few Westies of the Melbourne variety. Anyways, as I'm leaving I see him again, this time sitting on the bonnet of his mate's car as was driving away. Cement head indeed!

[Topdog]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Andrew Swallow was offered the once in a lifetime deal that no sane person could possibly reject.

Swallow is the one. No one at the Saints was worth getting. Lets see how they do holding onto Goddard.

And yes Swallow is supposed to be this super nice guy with a brain.

[Sedat]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Andrew Swallow was offered the once in a lifetime deal that no sane person could possibly reject.

So was Dustin Martin. So was Joel Selwood. So was Matty Kreuzer. Tom Scully and Callan Ward were a fair way down the list.

It is simply too easy to blame 'the system'. At some point we as a club need to accept partial responsibility for failing to retain both players.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

That's a point!

I wasn't going to mention this but considering he is no longer in town here goes.

I was at a pub in Willy one night and saw the pride of Blacktown out with a few Westies of the Melbourne variety. Anyways, as I'm leaving I see him again, this time sitting on the bonnet of his mate's car as was driving away. Cement head indeed!

Hmmmm.

[1eyedog]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

I'm not unhappy with this. Ultimately I think I have reconciled myself to a place where I feel that if a player does not want to be at our club (regardless of the reason) then I don't particularly want him there.

Seriously, I'd rather never win a premiership than win it with a team full of players who didn't want to be playing for the Bulldogs (that's just me). I hope we hold on to the pick and use it wisely, my only concern with this is if a Sydney type scenario ensues where we don't drop out of the top 8 for the next 5 years.

Would the club think that we better use it now just in case we play finals for the next 5 years? I am probably alone on this but I am still very optimistic about our list and chances at finals next year and beyond, especially if our young players improve significantly next year.

[azabob]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

I'm not unhappy with this. Ultimately I think I have reconciled myself to a place where I feel that if a player does not want to be at our club (regardless of the reason) then I don't particularly want him there.

Seriously, I'd rather never win a premiership than win it with a team full of players who didn't want to be playing for the Bulldogs (that's just me). I hope we hold on to the pick and use it wisely, my only concern with this is if a Sydney type scenario ensues where we don't drop out of the top 8 for the next 5 years.

Would the club think that we better use it now just in case we play finals for the next 5 years? I am probably alone on this but I am still very optimistic about our list and chances at finals next year and beyond, especially if our young players improve significantly next year.

Im no expert but surely the talent pool at pick 18 & 19 is better in the upcoming years than what it is now?

I say we hold onto it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Im no expert but surely the talent pool at pick 18 & 19 is better in the upcoming years than what it is now?

I say we hold onto it.

Next season Picks 18 & 19 are more likely high ladder finishers. Could be picks 1 & 2 if we finish last. There are number of teams holding these compo picks as well.In theory it could picks in the 30s.

[Topdog]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

So was Dustin Martin. So was Joel Selwood. So was Matty Kreuzer. Tom Scully and Callan Ward were a fair way down the list.

It is simply too easy to blame 'the system'. At some point we as a club need to accept partial responsibility for failing to retain both players.

Bolded players are worth paying overs for. Ward is not as much as it pains me to lose him.

[Desipura]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

That's a point!

I wasn't going to mention this but considering he is no longer in town here goes.

I was at a pub in Willy one night and saw the pride of Blacktown out with a few Westies of the Melbourne variety. Anyways, as I'm leaving I see him again, this time sitting on the bonnet of his mate's car as was driving away. Cement head indeed!

So what? He does some immature things like alot of footballers on the drink. Cooney did worse with an injury he was supposed to be recovering from, that's even sillier!
Just because you are dirty on him leaving for a bucket load of money, why bag him?
Most in his situation would have taken the money.

[Mofra]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Im no expert but surely the talent pool at pick 18 & 19 is better in the upcoming years than what it is now?

In the next two years the 17 yo mini-drafts to GWS have the effect of diluting the talent so I'd hope we wait if we can't snare one of the gun 17 year olds - I assume we can also trade the pick to GWS next year for their 2012 17 yo crop.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

So what? He does some immature things like alot of footballers on the drink. Cooney did worse with an injury he was supposed to be recovering from, that's even sillier!
Just because you are dirty on him leaving for a bucket load of money, why bag him?
Most in his situation would have taken the money.

Just got given Brad Johnson's book and there is a whole section devoted to what Chris Grant did when lured with big money from Port Adelaide at end of 96 when we were in real strife. His manager is quoted as saying that he only started to approach getting money he was offered some years later on in his career. He turned down a "once in a lifetime opportunity" like one Ward has been offered. It really made me emotional as I don't think we would have a club without Chris making that decision. Players like West, Johnson, smith would likely to have followed him out door if he left.

We need to move on but also recognize what Grant did versus Ward. One was a champion of the club the other was given an opportunity to be one and has burned it.

Sorry if this has been covered ad naseum already but thought it was really relevant and really sticks out to me. Was Grant just a freak? I thought we may have turned corner with regards to no longer losing a grade talent a la in the 70s and 80s, but now getting worried. I think we should built a statue to Chris as an example of what one persons action can do to bring so much joy to so many. In contrast I don't even know what to think of Ward. He's gone move on I suppose

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Just got given Brad Johnson's book and there is a whole section devoted to what Chris Grant did when lured with big money from Port Adelaide at end of 96 when we were in real strife. His manager is quoted as saying that he only started to approach getting money he was offered some years later on in his career. He turned down a "once in a lifetime opportunity" like one Ward has been offered. It really made me emotional as I don't think we would have a club without Chris making that decision. Players like West, Johnson, smith would likely to have followed him out door if he left.

We need to move on but also recognize what Grant did versus Ward. One was a champion of the club the other was given an opportunity to be one and has burned it.

Sorry if this has been covered ad naseum already but thought it was really relevant and really sticks out to me. Was Grant just a freak? I thought we may have turned corner with regards to no longer losing a grade talent a la in the 70s and 80s, but now getting worried. I think we should built a statue to Chris as an example of what one persons action can do to bring so much joy to so many. In contrast I don't even know what to think of Ward. He's gone move on I suppose

I'm going to join the gush fest, I want a Chris Grant statue now!

I have mentioned a few times that he lives next door to my girlfriend's nan. I am over there a bit and he is lovely despite me looking at my shoes out of fear that I will cream my pants. He probably thinks I don't like him for some reason!

I'm sure I have said this before but when my gf's nan broke her leg he gave her his home and mobile number as well as his wife's and insisted she call anytime if he needed help. He was a champion footy player but he is an infinitely better bloke.

He saved us and then gave us so much hope for actual success.

[Mofra]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Sorry if this has been covered ad naseum already but thought it was really relevant and really sticks out to me. Was Grant just a freak? I thought we may have turned corner with regards to no longer losing a grade talent a la in the 70s and 80s, but now getting worried. I think we should built a statue to Chris as an example of what one persons action can do to bring so much joy to so many. In contrast I don't even know what to think of Ward. He's gone move on I suppose

Ryan Griffen also turned down bigger offers from Adelaide & Essendon to stay with the Bulldogs. He played a final as our no 1 midfielder on one leg last year.
Unappreciated.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

So what? He does some immature things like alot of footballers on the drink. Cooney did worse with an injury he was supposed to be recovering from, that's even sillier!
Just because you are dirty on him leaving for a bucket load of money, why bag him?
Most in his situation would have taken the money.

Prove it. I know of a number of players who rejected GWS's offer yet you say "most" would have taken the money.