West Coast likely to receive a low first-round compensation pick for Andrew Gaff
SHOULD Andrew Gaff decided to accept North Melbourne’s massive offer, West Coast’s compensation pick could be the worst for a player of his calibre in the history of free agency.
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WEST Coast could receive a compensation pick for Andrew Gaff as late as the early 20s if the Eagles star accepts North Melbourne’s monster seven-year deal.
The Eagles are still sweating on decisions for high-profile free agents Gaff and Scott Lycett, who are weighing up significant deals to move east.
North Melbourne has offered Gaff as much as $1.1 million over seven seasons — a deal that is more than $2 million in total than the Eagles’ six-season offer.
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If the Eagles win the premiership they would receive only pick 19 as compensation for the star wingman before priority and other compensation selections are factored into their draft order.
Gold Coast will receive pick three for Tom Lynch and the AFL has floated the idea of mid first-round priority picks for struggling clubs, with as many as four clubs likely to apply.
It means that pick could be diluted further by the AFL’s handing out of picks in the first round.
The compensation pick would be the worst for a player of his calibre in the history of free agency.
Hawthorn received pick 19 for Lance Franklin, St Kilda pick 13 for Brendon Goddard, Collingwood pick 11 for Dale Thomas and Melbourne pick 3 for James Frawley.
Gaff is seen to be weighing up only two options — staying at West Coast or joining the Roos after a strong 12-10 season.
West Coast is extremely unlikely to match any bid if Gaff departs, aware it could not fit that salary into its cap next year if he did remain in Perth.
Adelaide made clear it would match a bid on Patrick Dangerfield when he was a departing free agent and forced a trade with Geelong for picks nine, 28 and Cats midfielder Dean Gore.
In theory the Eagles could match a bid on Gaff and then trade him for the Roos’ first pick but they have made clear that is unlikely.
Port Adelaide has given up any hope that Jared Polec will stay in a three-year deal, with the Roos having ample salary cap room to secure him on a five-year deal worth $750,000 a year.
North Melbourne’s first round pick will be used in that deal in some way, even if they request something back from Port Adelaide.
Then they will secure Tasmanian NGA selection Tarryn Thomas in November’s draft, with Gaff the third pillar in a massive draft/trade/free agency windfall.
Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall is keen to leave the Suns and suits North Melbourne’s up-tempo style of play.
But the Roos delisted former Hawthorn running player Billy Hartung in a surprise move given his 13 solid games before a mid-season hamstring injury.
Tom Jeffries, Oscar Junker, Gordon Narrier, Daniel Nielson, and Josh Williams were also delisted by the Roos.
North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce said it was “the worst part of our job so far”.
“Our focus though is on supporting the boys as best we can as they transition to another club or in some cases, look to go in another direction completely in terms of their careers.
“For all these boys, they’ve given their all to the North Melbourne football club and we must duly acknowledge their contributions and efforts.”
Originally published as West Coast likely to receive a low first-round compensation pick for Andrew Gaff