Blues win race for Fremantle ruckman
Greg Denham | September 12, 2008
DESPITE not playing finals football for seven years, Carlton yesterday scooped its rivals again, with young Docker Robert Warnock nominating the Blues as his new club of choice.
Warnock's preference should result in another big signing by Carlton, which last year headed off a host of clubs to secure prize recruit Chris Judd from West Coast.
Melbourne and Richmond are likely to miss out on Warnock after the 21-year-old's manager, Colin Young, yesterday informed Carlton general manager of football operations Steven Icke that his client had chosen the Blues.
Carlton chief executive Greg Swann confirmed that Carlton had won the race to attract Warnock, who at 206cm tall, will be the club's No1 ruckman next year.
"I believe his decision to want to join us was not about the money, but more about getting a better opportunity to play on a regular basis and having more game time," Swann said.
Warnock's decision is a slap in the face to the Demons, who have been of the belief he would join them after they last month axed veteran ruckman Jeff White.
The Blues and Warnock are yet to settle on a firm contract, but it will be for three or four years. In early negotiations, Warnock, who has played only 21 senior games, will earn about $1million in his first three years at Princes Park.
Despite Fremantle yesterday threatening to play hard ball, Carlton remains confident it will satisfy the Dockers with a suitable trade deal, rather than risk recruiting Warnock in the pre-season draft in December where Melbourne will have first pick.
One scenario could be a three-way deal involving Adelaide.
It is understood Crows ruckman Jonathon Griffin is keen to return home to Western Australia and he could be traded to the Dockers.
As part of that arrangement, Fremantle would pass on Warnock to Carlton, which in turn would have to satisfy Adelaide, possibly with its first selection in the second round of the national draft, overall pick No24.
Griffin was originally recruited from East Fremantle and started with the Crows on their rookie list. He played 28 games over the past two seasons, including 12 matches this year. But after playing the first 10 in succession this season, he did not play a senior game after round 15.
Griffin is managed by the Perth-based Young, who also acts for West Coast star Daniel Kerr.
After shedding nine players, including Josh Carr who wants to be traded back to Port Adelaide, the Dockers lost Warnock on Wednesday after he also requested to be traded out.
The out-of-contract Warnock cited family reasons for wanting to return home, but he is highly unlikely to be reunited with his brother Matthew, who plays for Melbourne.
The Blues have promised Warnock the No1 ruckman's role after several seasons in a support role under Aaron Sandilands.
Warnock made his decision to leave on the same day the AFL cleared the Demons of any wrongdoing in their bid to lure him. The league investigation centred on whether Melbourne made any undertakings to him when they entertained him in Melbourne before the Dockers had finished their season.
Although not unexpected, Warnock said his decision to return home was a difficult one. "My management will be working proactively with the club to secure the best possible result for Fremantle," he said.
The player-exchange period starts on October 6.
Fremantle yesterday warned its rivals that Warnock would not "come cheap".
New Fremantle general manager of football operations Chris Bond said the Dockers would be "drawing a line in the sand" in their negotiations.
"We will still decide what is best for the football club, and I know there is a threat of losing Robbie for nothing," Bond said on Perth radio. "There needs to be a line in the sand - what happens is really important for the Fremantle Football Club going forward."
Bond threatened his club would make a stand.
"We believed Robbie was an important part of our future. We have discussed whether we feel everything that could have been done was, to keep Robbie, and we have absolutely no doubt (it was)."
It is understood that Fremantle offered Warnock a similar remuneration package to stay, as Carlton's offer.
Bond said the Dockers were open to the prospect of a complex trade involving multiple clubs.
"To think you are just going to be dealing with one club when you are dealing with someone in demand like Robbie, is probably naive," Bond said.
The Dockers are also facing a battle to re-sign David Mundy, who is out of contract and on the verge of heading home to Victoria, where Hawthorn is keen to secure the defender.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24331971-5012432,00.html
