When we started the FTF one of the main reasons was to provide money to buy a big target free agent.
has this ever been said, or is it just your interpretation?
Al, one of the remaining aims of FTF beyond what the AFL has given in equalisation funds is to "pay 100% of the salary cap and be favourably placed for the introduction of free agency"
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/FTFTheRoadAhead/tabid/17127/Default.aspx
favourably placed could mean a number of things.
1. be in a position to protect our own interets, ie not get poached. (this was mentioned only in the last few days in an interview, but i cant recall if it was march, cameron or gale who said it)
2. be in a position to poach someone else
or
3. a combination of both.
as far as i know, the club has never made the statememnt that FTF was to be used specifically for targeting a big name player from other clubs. It's just people's take on a broad statement.
It's a statement you can take anyway you want that's for sure.
However Cloke or no Cloke, I'm happy for the club to use the money as they see fit.
I gave that money unconditionally to the club having faith in the current administration to make a decision in our best interests.
I trust them to make the decision that's best whatever it is.
I agree with both al & Mr Magic
Personally, I never believed the statement "be favourably placed for the introduction of free agency" meant they would go after ever big fish on the market, I just took it to mean they would be ready for FA and have every angle covered. And it would mean we would look at all FAs and target those that fit a need for us.
And just on young Travis who I think seriously needs to grow up; I would have only one question for him "what exactly do YOU want? Not interested in what your old man tells us you want, not interested in what your old man clearly wants, just want to know Travis wants. Stupid Travis should answer that without his old man & mother around and then just do it. Pretty simple really
Personally I don't think he is worth the amounts that are being bandied about. If you compare Cloke to say Jonathon Brown at the same age then I reckon travis Cloke is a fair way behind, hence my views on the $$
Now if the the bit about the 5th year incentive clauses are correct all that says to me is Travis isn't prepared to back himself and his ability in and it reeks of greed.... but sadly that seems to be the Cloke way