Why the likely Liam Baker trade shows the AFL has gone soft (Age)

[one-eyed]

Why the likely Liam Baker trade shows the AFL has gone soft

Kane Cornes
The Age
September 5, 2024

Where is the ruthless edge that once defined the AFL? Clubs are no longer willing to play hardball on trades, contract negotiations, honest feedback to players or even setting strict training standards.

Instead, we are witnessing a wave of softness and appeasement. Clubs are more interested in keeping everyone happy rather than chasing success at all costs. This shift is evident across the league – and there are a few glaring examples.

Take West Coast’s pursuit of Liam Baker. Baker is out of contract, and Richmond will demand a first-round draft pick to close the trade.

But why should West Coast give up anything? Richmond wouldn’t redraft Baker, and North Melbourne are unlikely to take him, so they could simply claim Baker for free in the pre-season draft and keep their prized first-round pick.

They would acquire a high-quality player at no cost and send a message to the competition: West Coast will not be pushed around. After three seasons at rock bottom, they would finally be flexing their muscles.

Instead, West Coast, at risk of offending the rival club or Baker’s management group, will cave in to Richmond’s demands.

The gentle approach is not limited to the West Coast. At Richmond, new coach Adem Yze has also taken a page from the “nice guy” playbook.

Departing chief executive Brendon Gale recently remarked that Yze has “taken a step back” in his first year as coach – no surprise there, considering his tone after some truly dismal performances this season.

The first warning signs came after Richmond was annihilated by 91 points against the Western Bulldogs in round nine. Consecutive losses followed — a 43-point defeat to Melbourne and a 54-point hammering by Fremantle. But instead of using these humiliations to demand more from his players and to set a standard, Yze chose to satisfy them.

“I just spoke to our players about our effort, and I can’t fault our effort,” Yze said post-match. “The boys are trying. It’s like they are trying hard ... I’ve said this over and over that we can’t fault the effort; it’s just the execution and our tackle technique.”

Really? After three consecutive thrashings, the best he can muster is praise for “trying hard”?

This is not the language of a ruthless leader determined to set high standards.

Yze’s cheerleading approach meant his first season at the helm was a total waste, and it will be hard to change his approach next season with a playing group familiar with his relaxed demeanour.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/toothless-not-ruthless-why-afl-clubs-need-to-stop-playing-nice-20240904-p5k7uy.html

[Tiger Khosh]

Would kaneo like to offer up some examples of clubs pushing players to the PSD?

You’d struggle to find more than a handful of examples throughout the AFL era, so no it hasn’t gone soft.

Besides of eagles and freo wanted to go down that route, I would hope a) baker tells them to stuff off and signs a new deal with us, b) if bakes was cooperating with that idea, that the club would take him at pick 1 in the PSD.

[Damo]

Didn’t hear him whining last year when Port traded for an uncontracted Esava Ratugolea

[Hart4Jack]

Why the likely Liam Baker trade shows the AFL has gone soft

Kane Cornes
The Age
September 5, 2024

Where is the ruthless edge that once defined the AFL? Clubs are no longer willing to play hardball on trades, contract negotiations, honest feedback to players or even setting strict training standards.

Instead, we are witnessing a wave of softness and appeasement. Clubs are more interested in keeping everyone happy rather than chasing success at all costs. This shift is evident across the league – and there are a few glaring examples.

Take West Coast’s pursuit of Liam Baker. Baker is out of contract, and Richmond will demand a first-round draft pick to close the trade.

But why should West Coast give up anything? Richmond wouldn’t redraft Baker, and North Melbourne are unlikely to take him, so they could simply claim Baker for free in the pre-season draft and keep their prized first-round pick.

They would acquire a high-quality player at no cost and send a message to the competition: West Coast will not be pushed around. After three seasons at rock bottom, they would finally be flexing their muscles.

Instead, West Coast, at risk of offending the rival club or Baker’s management group, will cave in to Richmond’s demands.

The gentle approach is not limited to the West Coast. At Richmond, new coach Adem Yze has also taken a page from the “nice guy” playbook.

Departing chief executive Brendon Gale recently remarked that Yze has “taken a step back” in his first year as coach – no surprise there, considering his tone after some truly dismal performances this season.

The first warning signs came after Richmond was annihilated by 91 points against the Western Bulldogs in round nine. Consecutive losses followed — a 43-point defeat to Melbourne and a 54-point hammering by Fremantle. But instead of using these humiliations to demand more from his players and to set a standard, Yze chose to satisfy them.

“I just spoke to our players about our effort, and I can’t fault our effort,” Yze said post-match. “The boys are trying. It’s like they are trying hard ... I’ve said this over and over that we can’t fault the effort; it’s just the execution and our tackle technique.”

Really? After three consecutive thrashings, the best he can muster is praise for “trying hard”?

This is not the language of a ruthless leader determined to set high standards.

Yze’s cheerleading approach meant his first season at the helm was a total waste, and it will be hard to change his approach next season with a playing group familiar with his relaxed demeanour.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/toothless-not-ruthless-why-afl-clubs-need-to-stop-playing-nice-20240904-p5k7uy.html

 
What a peanut.


 

[camboon]

Let’s see if Skeleton man, when I port player come out of contract , a deceitful spiteful person.

[Andyy]

Why wouldn't we re-draft him?

[Knighter]

Why the likely Liam Baker trade shows the AFL has gone soft

Kane Cornes
The Age
September 5, 2024

Where is the ruthless edge that once defined the AFL? Clubs are no longer willing to play hardball on trades, contract negotiations, honest feedback to players or even setting strict training standards.

Instead, we are witnessing a wave of softness and appeasement. Clubs are more interested in keeping everyone happy rather than chasing success at all costs. This shift is evident across the league – and there are a few glaring examples.

Take West Coast’s pursuit of Liam Baker. Baker is out of contract, and Richmond will demand a first-round draft pick to close the trade.

But why should West Coast give up anything? Richmond wouldn’t redraft Baker, and North Melbourne are unlikely to take him, so they could simply claim Baker for free in the pre-season draft and keep their prized first-round pick.

They would acquire a high-quality player at no cost and send a message to the competition: West Coast will not be pushed around. After three seasons at rock bottom, they would finally be flexing their muscles.

Instead, West Coast, at risk of offending the rival club or Baker’s management group, will cave in to Richmond’s demands.

The gentle approach is not limited to the West Coast. At Richmond, new coach Adem Yze has also taken a page from the “nice guy” playbook.

Departing chief executive Brendon Gale recently remarked that Yze has “taken a step back” in his first year as coach – no surprise there, considering his tone after some truly dismal performances this season.

The first warning signs came after Richmond was annihilated by 91 points against the Western Bulldogs in round nine. Consecutive losses followed — a 43-point defeat to Melbourne and a 54-point hammering by Fremantle. But instead of using these humiliations to demand more from his players and to set a standard, Yze chose to satisfy them.

“I just spoke to our players about our effort, and I can’t fault our effort,” Yze said post-match. “The boys are trying. It’s like they are trying hard ... I’ve said this over and over that we can’t fault the effort; it’s just the execution and our tackle technique.”

Really? After three consecutive thrashings, the best he can muster is praise for “trying hard”?

This is not the language of a ruthless leader determined to set high standards.

Yze’s cheerleading approach meant his first season at the helm was a total waste, and it will be hard to change his approach next season with a playing group familiar with his relaxed demeanour.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/toothless-not-ruthless-why-afl-clubs-need-to-stop-playing-nice-20240904-p5k7uy.html

Kano’s wife says he’s been soft for years himself so he can’t talk

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Maybe he could write a column about Poort’s softness last night.

[TigerLand]

We absolutely refraft Baker. Baker also has the power to play WCE off Freo and the easiest way to decide is to side with the club who is willing to give him certainty with a trade rather than roll the dice with risking Richmond or even North drafting him. This may be the dumbest article ever written. 

What an idiot. I'd love Kane to go into football department, Mr Opinion would be atrocious. Imagine him being WCE list manager and go down this path only to see Baker get drafted to Rich or NM lol.

[the claw]

If i have it right we played hard ball with both Grigg and Houli. Grigg we ended up trading a token player in Collins, effectively carlton took what scraps were on offer. 
Houli we marched to the PSD after Essendon at first tried to talk him out of it and then wanted more than we were prepared to pay.

At least we have the psd to fall back on in Bakers case. But really what would the point be. We deal in good faith and we hope we can get a deal done that suits BOTH clubs.

[the claw]

A possible scenario. Not what people want to hear.

Baker is valued at 15 thru 20 by all reports. Wce offer pick 23 and a future 2nd they are paying overs.
They may only offer pick 23 which is what id do if in their shoes.

[Damo]

A possible scenario. Not what people want to hear.

Baker is valued at 15 thru 20 by all reports. Wce offer pick 23 and a future 2nd they are paying overs.
They may only offer pick 23 which is what id do if in their shoes.

Pick 23, no deal
PSD time Liam

[Andyy]

A possible scenario. Not what people want to hear.

Baker is valued at 15 thru 20 by all reports. Wce offer pick 23 and a future 2nd they are paying overs.
They may only offer pick 23 which is what id do if in their shoes.

P23 + bump Graham contract to ensure band 3 compo

[Tiger Khosh]

A possible scenario. Not what people want to hear.

Baker is valued at 15 thru 20 by all reports. Wce offer pick 23 and a future 2nd they are paying overs.
They may only offer pick 23 which is what id do if in their shoes.

P23 + bump Graham contract to ensure band 3 compo

Isn’t that still just 2 picks in the 20s?

Not enough for me.

[Andyy]

A possible scenario. Not what people want to hear.

Baker is valued at 15 thru 20 by all reports. Wce offer pick 23 and a future 2nd they are paying overs.
They may only offer pick 23 which is what id do if in their shoes.

P23 + bump Graham contract to ensure band 3 compo

Isn’t that still just 2 picks in the 20s?

Not enough for me.

Well IMO we shouldn't be offering Graham a contract to stay at all.

WCE could probably get him for a modest contract that attracts Band 4 / end of R2 compo (around pick 45?).

If they are prepared to offer him more money and confirm with the AFL that it triggers Band 3 / R2 compo, it's essentially the same as Band 2 / end of R1 compo (around P25) because we are the wooden spooners and R2 is the same as end of R1 compo.


The goal should then be to either use 23 + 25 at the draft or trade to go up the order.


For example if GCS won't trade us P6 + P12 for Rioli (is that overs? I dunno...) they might instead offer us P6 + P20 and we could then offer + P25 to give them points for Lombard so they're inclined to give us P6 + P12.


You get the idea.