The Thornton Saga (TM pending) has shown one thing, that requiring a three year contract to be signed off by the board restricts our flexibility to sign players and gives an opportunity for other clubs to target our players.

This needs rethinking. Firstly, it shows a lack of faith in the professionalism of those employed to managed the list. But if we have to have these sorts of policies, why not simply make it players for players 27 or over. This means that no 3 year contracts can be signed if the player will be over 30 when the contract expires.

It also means that we can offer longer term contracts to the likes of Walker, Murphy, Thornton, etc. Players who are going to be the future of the club and would like some additional security as they enter their second or third contract and look to do things like buy a house, etc.

Get them all signed up nice and tight about july/august and then look out Dawks we are waving serious money at your young players -payback time - Belching

Only Hawk worth having a go at is Judd - oh thats right Laza/Ghost of Kevin Heath you didnt draft Judd did you. Tell you what we will give you pick 24 and 33 for Luke Hodge.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

The policy change which I think needs to be implemented is this:

There has to be someone in the football department who looks after player welfare. So matters of clashes with the Coach, MC, other players etc can be discussed and raised in an open manner, and not have things come to a head when contract negotiations happen. I want the players to be able to be totally honest with the Club, and the Club be totally honest with the players. Then issues can be dealt with as the happen, and not be left to fester.

Is that too much to ask?

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Thought that was what Shane O'Sullivan now did.

Maybe the players see him as not independent enough, and don't trust him to be able to mediate between them and the Coach/Club?

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

A Player wlefare Manager is a must.

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Ich bein ein Carltonian

Sound a 'lil like a policy Hawthorn currently has in place...

...and that worries me...

And what say Braddles came up for contract renewel age 28? Who the hell was to know that he'd still be playin' still nearly a whole decade later!?

Damn, I miss Braddles...