There is too much money in football.

[Jackstar is back again]

whats of interest is this.
When a player gets drafted and they first interview him, they usually say, Gee I am glad I am at RFC.
but really there saying, Gee I am glad I got an AFL job..
Wouldnt matter what club drafted them, there first sentence would be the same.
Its a lucative career choice for them

[yellowandback]

That isn't really insightful at all. They are professional sportsman. They want a job in their chosen sport. Anything else is a bonus.

The number 1 pick (and all GWS picks) referenced playing AFL as their stated goal when asked about moving from home to Sydney, non football state, new team in comp etc etc.

If they are asked about the club which drafted them, they are hardly going to say " I actually barracked for Carlton so I'd have preferred to be drafted there but thems the breaks"

[Penelope]

First part of your post i agree with jack, but it is only a lucrative career choice for a small percentage of draftees. Only a very small number of the 100 or so draftees each year will end up providing a for them and their families for life from football.

[Mr Magic]

That isn't really insightful at all. They are professional sportsman. They want a job in their chosen sport. Anything else is a bonus.

The number 1 pick (and all GWS picks) referenced playing AFL as their stated goal when asked about moving from home to Sydney, non football state, new team in comp etc etc.

If they are asked about the club which drafted them, they are hardly going to say " I actually barracked for Carlton so I'd have preferred to be drafted there but thems the breaks"

So true. A young player who gets drafted to the club they support is in a very small minority.

Overall AFL footballers get paid very well to do the thing they love and if they can't handle the scrutiny that comes with professional sport then they should go play in the bush leagues, which many talented footballers actually choose to do.

The spotlight of the AFL and all that comes with it, isn't for everyone.

[10 FLAGS]

IMHO The problem is not the $9 million that the players get per club the problem is all the hangers on, the wastage of funds on no hopers, on junkets and on all the rest of the wasted expenditures.

[yellowandback]

IMHO The problem is not the $9 million that the players get per club the problem is all the hangers on, the wastage of funds on no hopers, on junkets and on all the rest of the wasted expenditures.

You would be shocked at how right this comment is, the ripple affect on income generated in the AFL industry is to be seen to be believed

[The Big Richo]

Like US training camps for a start.

[Penelope]

but that is the whole point of the capitalist system, to take money out one persons pocket and put it someone else's. That is the crux of of it .

[mightytiges]

7 years say in the public eye of footy averaging $200-250k per annum. It's just a fact of life with all that naturally comes the supporter scrutiny and especially so for fringe players on the edge (I would never question any footballer's courage crossing over that white line though). For a relative or friend of an AFL player it's probably best to avoid reading any of these forums plus the sporting sections of the papers. All supporters of all the clubs let rip (funny stuff when it's opposition fans turning on their own) as most people's loyalty and passion is for the club foremost ahead of individual players and coaches. Players and coaches come and go but the club is enternal. Always has been and always will be. Well before the net even existed abuse has been flying over the fence since the year dot. A professional footballer needs to be able to block it out and have a small trusted inner sanctum of family and true friends who they can turn to in good times and in bad (injury or lack of form). Footy is a brutal sport physically, mentally and emotionally.