Eddie McGuire brought close to tears by Daniel Wells’ ‘unbelievable’ contract sacrifice

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he was brought close to tears by an ‘unbelievable’ contract move by veteran Daniel Wells. But just how much cash did he give up?

Daniel Wells of the Magpies.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he was almost brought to tears by an “unbelievable” contract move by veteran Daniel Wells.

McGuire’s emotional reaction followed reports the injury-prone 34-year-old midfielder had offered to take a huge pay cut in the final year of a lucrative three-year contract.

Wells joined the Magpies from North Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent after the 2016 season on a deal worth about $1.5 million. The Kangaroos received a second-round draft pick as compensation which they used on defender Declan Watson, who is yet to play a game after rupturing his ACL in 2017.

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A purported move to play for a base salary plus match payments would represent a huge sacrifice from Wells with the final years of his deal worth about $500,000.

“At the back end of his career when most people are cashing in, he has done something quite unbelievable,” McGuire said on Triple M.

“It’s one of those things that almost brings a tear to your eye when you see it happening — you just love the bloke for what he’s done. It’s wonderful. He’s a special person.”

But details of the contract arrangements remain unclear, with club figures insisting the adjustments to Wells’ payments were minor.

Collingwood veteran Daniel Wells.

Wells has played 14 of a possible 48 games across two seasons since joining the Magpies, including just four last year. He is on a modified training program as he recovers from a serious lisfranc foot fracture suffered against Melbourne in Round 12 last year. His first season in black and white was hampered by calf issues and achilles soreness.

“It’s hugely motivational thing to see a quiet young man who’s a gifted genius on the football ground who’s had to fight back from injury, who’s presented to pre-season in magnificent nick as well — fingers crossed he can get on the park after that foot injury,” McGuire said.

“But because of my position at Collingwood I won’t be commenting on Tom (Browne)’s story but you can imagine what the feeling is around the place when other players have extended contracts to keep the club together and someone like Daniel Wells has embraced the club.”

A group of up to 12 Collingwood players agreed to sacrifice some of their 2019 pay packet to squeeze star recruit Dayne Beams into the club’s quiet salary cap.

The Herald Sun reported last November that a group of 8-12 players were approached by the club to defer some of this year’s wage to later years.

Hard-nut midfielder Taylor Adams, second in last year’s Norm Smith Medal voting behind Luke Shuey, is closing in on a new five-year deal, while Jack Crisp and Will Hoskin-Elliott signed new contracts this month.

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