Adam Cooney’s advice for AFL trade ‘big five’: Nat Fyfe, Dustin Martin, Josh Kelly, Steven May and Jason Johannisen

ADAM Cooney has been through the AFL trade ringer. Here is his advice for Nat Fyfe, Dustin Martin, Josh Kelly, Steven May and Jason Johannisen. His No.1 tip: forget about loyalty.

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe.

WE HAVEN’T even reached the midway point of the 2017 AFL season yet the hottest topic on footy fans’ lips are where Dusty and Nat will be playing next year.

Having been through the trade period myself and since been chewed up and spat out into the real world (I use that term very loosely as I work one day a week in an office job, so technically I’m not a fully fledged member of the rat race yet), I’m experienced enough in this department to give out free, no obligation, football and life advice.

I’m focusing my attention on who I consider to be the “big five” in this years trade/free agency period: Dustin Martin, Josh Kelly, Nat Fyfe, Steven May and Jason Johannisen.

The No.1 piece of advice I will give to you all of you is: do what’s best for yourself. Don’t get all worked up about this loyalty business, I’ve said this before — there is no such thing as loyalty from club to player, nor should there be.

A football club is a business. Ruthless decisions need to be made to protect the success and longevity of the organisation.

West Coast and Fremantle are believed to be very interested in out-of-contract Bulldog Jason Johannisen. Picture: Mark Stewart

JJ — you’ve won a Norm Smith and a premiership at the Dogs. You have fulfilled your end of the bargain and if you want to go home to WA I wish you well.

You don’t owe the club anything. They pay you to perform, to put your body on the line each week and to do all you can to help the team win. The minute the club believes that you can no longer perform for them they look they will look to move you on, which is 100 per cent understandable, but please don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you owe a debt to your club just because they drafted you.

Dustin — do not settle for one dollar less than you believe you can get.

You’re in the game for an extremely short period of your life. If you want to live and enjoy the next 40-60 years post-football, get as much cash as you can, invest wisely (I should have done more of that myself!) and you can set yourself up to really enjoy life after footy.

So many people dislike their full-time jobs, and I’m pretty sure you’re not keen on one yourself.

There is an opportunity for you to avoid the soul-destroying 40-hour work week, so cash in, brother.

Let’s say your next deal is five years at $1.2 million a year. After tax that leaves you with about 686k. Divide that by 12 and you get more than $57k a month into the sky rocket. Purchase yourself a property in Port Melbourne for two mil, borrow 80 per cent at an interest rate of about 4.5 per cent and at the end of your five-year contract you could have your house paid off.

You should have another 27k to play with a month, but that should be enough to get by. Maybe use those surplus funds to buy an investment property, pay that off so by the time you finish footy you’ve paid two houses off, getting $2000 a week rent, sit back, travel whenever you want and just enjoy life after the hard work you’ve put in.

Dustin Martin is in brilliant form — and should make the most of it. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

North Melbourne has reportedly offered a $9 million deal for Giant Josh Kelly.

Josh — you need to think about team success. Along with these other factors (money and doing what’s best for yourself) your team has the potential to create a dynasty over the next 4-5 years with multiple premierships a realistic possibility.

Is one enough for you — if you win it this year — to take the cash and go home? If you miss out this year the decision becomes even more complex. Do you stick around to try and jag a flag with your mates, potentially losing out on millions of dollars? Or do you back your judgement of picking your new team to win a flag, and you get the financial reward too. Nine million over nine years. Big decisions for a young man.

Steven — I don’t know you but you strike me as a laid-back bloke one who loves a beer with the lads and enjoys the warmer weather and relaxed lifestyle up north. Melbourne is bloody cold in winter, as you would have experienced at Melbourne Grammar as a young up-and-comer. This key element needs to be factored into your decision.

You’re also the captain of the Suns, so no doubt the decision weighs heavily on your shoulders on whether to walk away from the teammates you lead.

There is also no fish in Port Phillip Bay and plenty of room coming up in the Suns salary cap to pay you what you deserve.

Sorry Ross, the time is right for Nat Fyfe to join a big Melbourne club.

Nat — now the mining boom has subsided you have exhausted all that brand Fyfe can over in the west, opportunity awaits across the Nullarbor.

After the first fortnight of Freo’s season no one would’ve begrudged you for searching for greener pastures at a big Victorian club, but the turnaround has been significant and swift — albeit excluding the performance on the weekend against the Crows.

The questions for you to answer are: How far off is your club in contending for its maiden flag, and will you regret passing up the opportunity to immerse yourself in AFL heartland.

You fly a helicopter so I’ll assume you’re a risk taking, adventurous, curious man. This may be your only chance to secure a good deal and experience life growing brand Fyfe in Melbourne.

COONEY’S VERDICT

Taking these factors into account, here’s what you should do fellas.

JJ — I would stay at the Dogs provided the deal is fair. Four years at 600k should suffice.

Dustin — A five-year deal at Essendon, St Kilda or North at $1.2 million a year would be hard to decline. If Rich matches that then definitely stay, but that’s unlikely.

Josh — NINE million. Goodbye Leon.

Steven — I think the Suns are a good fit for you and your footy. Get four years at 7-800k and I’ll tick that off.

Nat — The Saints are a perfect fit. They need another A-grade midfielder to help Jack Steven and have the money. Many opportunities here to grow. Five years x $900k-$1 million is acceptable.

If you need anything clarified, be sure to give me a call guys.

Originally published as Adam Cooney’s advice for AFL trade ‘big five’: Nat Fyfe, Dustin Martin, Josh Kelly, Steven May and Jason Johannisen