Who will the GC17 target in terms of Big Name Players!

[carl_baron123]

With their extended salary cap and availability to pick up heaps of uncontracted players, who do you think the GC will target? I have a strong feeling they will go for Riewoldt as he is from that area! This has been hyped up in the media since the day the AFL even thought about announcing a Gold Coast side! I think there is a strong chance that Nicky would move back there as he hasnt made a statement (or I havn't heard one) like Buddy saying he wants to be a one man club! I couldn't really see Gazza Ablett moving up there with all the family history around Geelong!

[TalkingFootball]

If I was the GC's recruiting staff I would develop a strategy around age groups.

So I would focus on draft years ... However, I would have to be realistic ... dont think I would ever get Franklin or Ablett

Captain & leadership team from 2000 & 2001 Drafts

1-2 Players aged 28-30 ... so maybe Riewoldt(2000) & Daniel Cross(2000) then Bartel (2001) & Del Santo (2001)

Core group players from 2004-2005 Draft ... I would also target lesser lights from these drafts because IMHO they are in the perfect age group. This is where I would put most of my focus.

5-6 Players aged 24-25 ... so Deledio (2004), Roughhead (2004), Griffen (2004), Murphy(2005), Thomas(2005), Pendelbury (2005)

Then in all future drafts would target ... players I thought with maximum upside. Lets not forget the gold coast could have 2 major effects on the comp.

1/ Force clubs to fix "marquee" players on long-term over inflated contracts
2/ Level out the competition by weakening the stronger clubs in the short-term.

[carl_baron123]

Well you've really though it through ay TF... I guess a lot of players in there mid twenties would see a GF opportuinity in the near future if they moved to GC. I just think that with all their high draft picks, GC will be overly strong after 3-4 or so years from when they enter the league. do you really see Bartel moving across to GC?

[Woohoo]

2/ Level out the competition by weakening the stronger clubs in the short-term.

That wouldn't be such a bad thing I think. A sort of a refresh of the comp.

[TalkingFootball]

Originally Posted by carl_baron123

Well you've really though it through ay TF... I guess a lot of players in there mid twenties would see a GF opportuinity in the near future if they moved to GC. I just think that with all their high draft picks, GC will be overly strong after 3-4 or so years from when they enter the league. do you really see Bartel moving across to GC?

I would not necessarily focus on individual names ... but I would want to secure 3-4 "marquee" players from a sponsorship & membership aspect!

From a strategically aspect Scotty Clayton is in a very powerful position .. I would want to cripple a few opposition teams moving forward as well.

Lets not forget he has two very powerful tools 1/ 1 million dollars more in salary cap & 2/ Over abundance of early draft picks. So I would be playing both sides of the fence.

Generous negotiations with player managers (who remember have no allegiance to any club) offering longer than normal contracts with massively inflated dollars ie Deledio, Bartel etc 4-5 year deals 150-200,000 more per year than they are on. Now if I didn't get them ... so be it ... but I would effectively cripple my opposition if they stayed.

Target clubs by offering them slightly over the odds in draft pick for my desired players ie Cross, Dal Santo, Thomas etc

Dont you worry the fun is just starting ... this could get very ugly for some sides.

[TalkingFootball]

Originally Posted by Woohoo

That wouldn't be such a bad thing I think. A sort of a refresh of the comp.

Nope I agree with you ... this could be an excellent by product from a competition view point. However, could get very unpleasant from a passionate supporters view point if they take your teams "marquee" player.

[Woohoo]

Originally Posted by TalkingFootball

Nope I agree with you ... this could be an excellent by product from a competition view point. However, could get very unpleasant from a passionate supporters view point if they take your teams "marquee" player.

I would be more annoyed if they ripped a struggling club apart than if they took a few good Hawks.

Let's hope the mix is right and we end up with a competitive comp when the GC join it for real.

[TalkingFootball]

Originally Posted by Woohoo

I would be more annoyed if they ripped a struggling club apart than if they took a few good Hawks.

Let's hope the mix is right and we end up with a competitive comp when the GC join it for real.

Did you have any "struggling clubs" in mind?

[Woohoo]

Maybe struggling is the wrong word TF. Any team that is rebuilding is better.

[carl_baron123]

Originally Posted by TalkingFootball

I would not necessarily focus on individual names ... but I would want to secure 3-4 "marquee" players from a sponsorship & membership aspect!

Generous negotiations with player managers (who remember have no allegiance to any club) offering longer than normal contracts with massively inflated dollars ie Deledio, Bartel etc 4-5 year deals 150-200,000 more per year than they are on. Now if I didn't get them ... so be it ... but I would effectively cripple my opposition if they stayed.

It will still take a bit to build up their membership base so they are going to need a few 'marquee' players to build up their profile. They have the cash to strip a few clubs of their top players. Remember, Geelong players took a pay cut at the end of the '07 season to keep their team together so they could remain a strong team in years to come, so a lot of players are not doing it for the money, but for the teams glory. I guess if they see the opportunity of a premiership at GC, they would have to seriously consider it.