Greater Western Sydney throws $2m carrot at Callan Ward WESTERN Bulldog Callan Ward may have to sacrifice $2 million to remain loyal to his club, his manager Paul Connors says.
Connors revealed the size of the carrots being thrown by Greater Western Sydney, conceding he could not yet guarantee star client Dale Thomas would re-sign at Collingwood.
Ward is out of contract and being pursued by GWS, with the Bulldogs unable to match its five-year deal.
Connors, one of the league's most influential agents, told Superfooty's Front & Square players such as clients Thomas, Ward and Brisbane's Daniel Rich were being offered once-in-a-career deals.
Asked if the difference was as much as $400,000 a season, Connors replied: "More. (Their offers) are outrageous.
"If Callan Ward does want to stay at the Dogs, and I hope he does, for guys like him the quantum is huge.
"(Ward) would love to stay, but no doubt I would have thought the GWS boys wouldn't mind him in their backyard either.
"I can't even believe we're debating that players probably will stay at their clubs even though there's a $500,000 per annum difference. It wouldn't happen in rugby league, but it happens in ... AFL."
Given GWS is prepared to offer Ward at least $800,000 a season, he could pass up more than $2 million in the next five years.
Thomas will probably stay at Collingwood, but Connors said the Giants were pushing hard.
"Dale has given an indication he would like to stay at Collingwood," Connors said.
"They are his instructions to me and I am currently negotiating slowly with Collingwood.
"Would GWS like Dale Thomas? I am sure they would like him on their list.
"It just gets down to that GWS has this pile of money.
"He wants to be at Collingwood, but until he's signed I can't guarantee anything."
Connors is certain Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has signed with the Giants and says he believed Fremantle midfielder Rhys Palmer would head to the AFL's 18th club.
"They seem pretty confident they have got a few, but we haven't heard the names bandied around like with Gold Coast," he said.
"Taylor Walker for mine is going. Rhys Palmer is another I would have some money on going."
Connors has signed the certain No. 1 draft pick for GWS this year in tall Melbourne marking forward Jonathan Patton, and said his potential showed glimpses of Jonathan Brown and Wayne Carey.
He hoped Rich and Matthew Leuenberger would stay at Brisbane, but said the final year of the club's payout to sacked forward Brendan Fevola meant the club's salary cap was tight.
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