O'rourke going to hawthorn???

[E]

Are you kidding me? How is hawthorn able to keep the talent rolling through. Are they all being paid under market value or is their some side deal or brown paper bag promise that is making all of these players accept less to play for the hawks.

To be able to get the best full back available and now a number 2 draft pick from 2012 is just ludicrous.

[Pies4shaw]

I suppose that Franklin leaving opened up a substantial salary cap availability. Even so, it is quite surprising that they can routinely prise loose good footballers from other clubs, given the expensive talent on their list over the last decade. It isn't really a major concern for Collingwood, since we aren't top 4 re-loading to take the next step. It would be our concern if they started targeting our players, of course - or if it turned out that the rules had been bent to achieve it.

One interesting thing to consider is that the changes to the salary cap introduced earlier this year have enabled clubs to underspend one year and overspend the next, so perhaps they're taking advantage of that option. I'm not sure precisely what is allowed (I haven't yet found any detailed description, only an AFL news story), so the extent to which they might be relying on that change is unclear.

[Albert Parker]

^As you noted, they were prepared to offer Buddy $800k-$1m a year.
Guys like Brian Lake took a pay cut to go there and have played in 2 premierships since.
Like Geelong, guys are playing for less than market value to enjoy the success.

[John Wren]

he is unlikely to cost them much.

[yin-YANG]

I think it is a path many might travel - earn some coin playing for whoever - shit team even better for a bigger bite of the pie available - then as you reach your absolute prime move to a team for less pay and a chance for flags!

[themonk]

he is unlikely to cost them much.

Correct, they've lost Franklin & Sewell but have brought in MvEvoy & Frawley.

O'Rourke is just a kid (although a talented one) & will not be in too much.

Graham Wright is a genius

[Culprit]

You take 30% less if it means playing in a Premiership. Success attracts Success. This is at every football level.

[Piesnchess]

The whole damn comp is rigged, pure and simple, no wonder crowds are shit and fans losing interest. Fans of many clubs will never, ever see a flag in their lifetimes now, with this crap going on, it reeks to high heaven this draft fiasco.!

[collie dog]

People are prepared to play for less if they have a real chance at a premiership and under the best coach in the AFL.

[35forever]

Too right CD, and why wouldn't they? No one minded 3 years ago when they all wanted to come to Collingwood, but then I guess you guys don't remember that time? You know? When we were the best? when we won 12 games by 50+ and a couple by 100+? No? Ah well, probably best not to think about it too much!

[BBHS]

Your cup is not only half empty someone walks past each morning and takes a massive dump in it.

[John Wren]

[swoop42]

Could end up being another massive bargain basement win for the hawks while we go chasing Varcoe.

Taking a punt on talented young players like O'Rourke or Gunston just two years into the system is how it's done.

Varcoe is seemingly on the wane and inferior to Lumumba as a half back/wing option. He would have him covered as a forward though H was never played there.

Anyway it is what it is.

[jackcass]

Now confirmed. Pick 19 & 40 for O'Rourke and 43

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-09/o ... now-a-hawk

[themonk]

Now confirmed. Pick 19 & 40 for O'Rourke and 43

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-09/o ... now-a-hawk

Amazing, so Hawthorn get a number 2 pick for pick 19.

They are laughing at the entire competition, meanwhile another premiership is odds on.