Collingwood stars sacrificing money to keep playing list together, reveals coach Nathan Buckley
As Collingwood continues negotiations to extend Brodie Grundy’s deal beyond 2020, coach Nathan Buckley says several stars have taken pay cuts to keep the club’s list together. Was it a subtle message to the star ruckman?
Collingwood
Don't miss out on the headlines from Collingwood. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Collingwood players are sacrificing bumper paydays in their desperation for a premiership, coach Nathan Buckley has revealed.
In the same week Adelaide was urged to make a $1.5-million per season play for Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy, Buckley said several of his players had taken pay cuts to keep their list together.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SACKED PODCAST
Jordan De Goey last year turned down a reported $1 million per year contract offer from North Melbourne, re-signing with the Pies for a lesser deal.
“We’ve had other players take pay cuts. Some public, some not,” Buckley said on Channel 7.
“To manage and manipulate the salary cap to keep together.
“I have got no doubt Brodes understands that and part of staying a little bit agile and being able to do that is not being locked into these big chunk deals. Which can be problematic for some.”
Several Geelong stars accepted less pay to stay with the Cats during their premiership era of 2007-2011.
In May, premiership champion Paul Chapman said: “For us it was all about success. We wanted to show how good we were so guys had to take pay cuts.”
The Herald Sun reported on Saturday Collingwood and Grundy remain apart in discussions over extending his contract, which expires at the end of next season.
Buckley said he had “no doubt we will come to terms”.
“We loves Brodes and Brodes loves Collingwood,” he said.
“I have got no doubt that this will be a match made in heaven for the rest of his career. There was a lot of speculation … not all of it is accurate.
“We don’t feel the need to lay it all bare for the public to see. What I will say is I have got no doubt we will come to terms.
“He is contracted until the end of next year. Brodes’ DNA is as much a part of Collingwood as Collingwood’s DNA is a part of his.”
FULL TEAM: WHO MAKES ROBBO’S ALL-AUSTRALIAN SIDE?
PRICEY: WHAT YOU’LL PAY TO HEAD INTERSTATE FOR FINALS
The length of Grundy’s next deal has reportedly been a point of conjecture and Buckley conceded long-term contracts can “lock up a lot of your salary cap”.
Grundy, 25, was named in the All-Australian squad on Monday after a year where he has averaged 21 disposals, 41 hit outs, 4.5 marks and four tackles per game.
Browne to step down as Pies prez as replacement sounded out
Collingwood president Jeff Browne will depart the club at the end of the year, with the club already sounding out its replacement. GLENN MCFARLANE has the details.
‘Crazy brave’ or reckless? Old Pies’ massive trade gamble
Collingwood has the oldest list in the AFL and is again shunning the draft in favour of chasing free agents and older trade targets as its youth flounders. Are they flying too close to the sun?