Taylor Adams set to sign a new five-year deal with Collingwood
Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams will sign a contract extension and give up cash in the next two seasons in exchange for long-term security, while another key Magpie is set to ink a new deal.
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Collingwood hard-nut Taylor Adams will sign a five-year contract extension to help relieve more short-term pressure on the club’s tight salary cap.
The long-term deal rewards the 25-year-old for a career-best season, finishing fifth in the best-and-fairest as the Pies charged into the Grand Final last year.
He starred for the Magpies in the premiership decider, gathering 31 possessions to finish second in Norm Smith Medal voting behind Luke Shuey.
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Importantly for Collingwood, the back-ended deal means Adams will be paid the bulk of the money in the last few years of the agreement, once some other big contracts have expired.
The Magpies’ salary cap was jam-packed for 2019 after adding superstar midfielder Dayne Beams and Western Bulldogs big man Jordan Roughead in the trade period, on top of re-signing gamebreaker Jordan De Goey, Tom Langdon and father-son gem Darcy Moore.
Beams was understood to have accepted a significant pay cut for 2019, and an overall wage of about $450,000 plus bonuses, to join the Pies from Brisbane last year.
To help make room for the Pies’ new recruits, and potentially avoid having to make big cuts at season’s end, Collingwood has set about renegotiating new contracts with a core group of its senior stars over the past six months.
It means Adams, among others, will forego some of the cash they would have been paid in 2019-20 in return for more long-term security.
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While it is unclear how many Collingwood players have deferred funds until later seasons, the sacrificial acts have helped keep the club’s squad together and are a powerful commitment to the Pies’ premiership quest.
Defender Jack Crisp, who finished fourth in the best-and-fairest last year, is also set to ink a reworked long-term extension as part of the moves.
List chief Ned Guy has overseen the strategy which should ensure the Magpies remain in premiership contention over the next few seasons.
Adams, who joined the Pies after two years at the Giants, averaged career-highs in contested possessions (13.2) and clearances (6.2) last season as a key part of the onball group.
The addition of Beams will deliver a major boost to the midfield as the Pies attempt to launch another genuine premiership bid, albeit with a more difficult fixture this season.
Beams has carefully managed a back issue over the preseason but will look to step up his preparations for the regular season over the JLT Series.
Star ruckman Brodie Grundy has also been on light duties with a sore toe but is expected to rejoin main training this month.
The Pies are also looking to regain stars Jamie Elliott and Moore early in the season after hamstring injuries ruined their 2018 campaigns.
Daniel Wells is also looking to return from his foot injury through the VFL in the early rounds, while versatile tall Ben Reid is also moving well after another year of soft tissue problems.
Reid, Wells and Elliott are all out of contract at season’s end.
COULD CONTRACT-YEAR PIES OFFER SUPERCOACH VALUE?
—Nicholas D’Urbano
The Pies could have as many as 16 players out of contract at season’s end, leaving several on the list playing for keeps.
Which players could improve their SuperCoach stocks in their contract years?
Ben Crocker $248,600 FWD
Equaling his career best 10 games last year, the small forward faces a make or break season. Only kicked five goals as a small forward last season and has a mountain to climb to break into the Magpies’ swoop squad. Avoid in SuperCoach due to his lack of security in the Magpies’ lineup along with his historic lack of scoring punch.
Ben Reid $299,700 FWD
Played only six games in an injury-riddled season in 2018 but, with the Pies’ lack of talls, he could find himself at either end. Was unlucky not to play Grand Final day after being named as an emergency. the veteran will need to get his body right and string together some games if he plans to play on beyond 2019. Another player to avoid in SuperCoach — his injury history and the uncertainty over his position in best 22 doesn’t bode well.
Brayden Sier $435,000 MID
The big bodied midfielder broke into the side late last-year and hasn’t looked back. He will more than likely be in the Pies’ best 22 come Round 1. Sier could be a SuperCoach break out due to his ability to win the contested ball, but his price is an awkward one so would be hard to slot in unless he starts the season hot.
Daniel Wells $302,900 FWD
Entering the final year of a three-year deal at the Pies, the former ‘Roo has shown glimpses of his best and can play a big role if he gets his body right in 2019. In the past he has shown he can be a solid SuperCoach contributor, but you would be very gutsy to select him due to his injury history.
Jack Madgen $256,500 DEF
Thrown in the deep-end on debut playing on Lance Franklin after the Magpies’ defense was hit with a plethora of injuries late in the season. The former basketballer went on to play the final four games of the season before being dropped for the finals. Averaged 52 SuperCoach points in his four games but as a key defender, don’t expect much more.
Levi Greenwood $300,800 DEF
Faces a second season in a row where his future is up in the air. 30 this month, Greenwood faces a test to solidify himself in the Pies best 22. Did play 16 of the last 17 games last season along with each of their four finals, but will he be squeezed out? He’s never been a great scorer in SuperCoach land. Look elsewhere.
Jamie Elliott $280,300 FWD
The curious case of a player who has all the talent in the world but a body that lets him down year-after-year. Elliott, who has kicked 30-plus goals in four season, has the talent to be great, but has missed two full seasons in the past three years. If he is fit, he is a match-winner, if he isn’t, do the Pies give him another year? At under $300,000, he’s unders for a player who averaged over 70 in each of his past four seasons (playing) and could end up being a cash cow if — and it’s a big if — he can get on the park.
Lynden Dunn $328,800 DEF
The heart and soul of the Collingwood side who looks set to regain his spot in the Magpies’ defense once he returns from the knee injury that ended his 2018 campaign. Dunn, who has played the most games without playing in a final will be hoping to end that by being part of another deep finals run this season. He’s a no for SuperCoach purposes.
Max Lynch $123,900 RUC
The athletic, untried big-man faces an important 2019 as he looks to finally make his debut in his third year at the Magpies. Posted great times in the 2km time-trial but will have to find a way to play a role as a key forward if he wants an opportunity as he’s behind arguably the best ruckman in the competition — Brodie Grundy. He’s an interesting prospect, but would need to find some games to be a downgrade/cash-cow option.
Rupert Wills $166,100 MID
A talented, big-bodied midfielder who has been riddled with injuries. In his seven games, his tenacity and ball-winning ability has been superb and has shown fantastic signs at VFL level, but breaking into an already stacked Magpies’ midfield is the big hurdle for the 25-year-old. Watch the JLT Cup closely. If he can impress there, he may be worth having a look at because of his bargain price. Is a tackling machine and wins plenty of contested ball — both those stats are SuperCoach gold.
Sam Murray $385,000 DEF
A big question mark hangs over the future of the former Swan who tested positive to cocaine. A talented half-back who has shown plenty of ability. Was an early SuperCoach favourite last year due to his low starting price and solid scoring. Avoid this season.
Tom Phillips $489,100 MID
Another mainstay in the Magpies midfield corps who has already opened discussions over a new contract with the club. Expect the wingman to look to take his game to another level as he continues to rise. Averaged 90 in his breakout SuperCoach season last year and does have the ability to go big in 2019. Could be another interesting point of difference, especially at under $500,000.
Taylor Adams $523,100 MID
With a five-year contract extension on the way, Adams has only averaged triple figures once in his career but smashed out triple figures in nine of his past 12 games last season. Worth a serious look as a potential POD option.
Tim Broomhead $242,100 MID/FWD
A former first round draft pick cruelled by hard luck on the injury front. Coming off a gruesome leg break in Round 2 last year, the South Australian has all the tools to succeed once he is fit but will face a mountain of players ahead of him who play a similar role. Does have dual position status and is at a low price, but can’t see him providing SuperCoach value in 2019.
Travis Varcoe $332,800 FWD
The former Cat who faced significant adversity at the end of last season finished 2018 in inspiring form, punctuated by some fantastic goals and chase-down tackles during the Magpies’ finals series. Will be a big part of the side this year. He’s awkwardly price and has never been a great scorer in SuperCoach land. Avoid.
Tyson Goldsack $257,400 DEF
Another inspiring story after making a miraculous recovery from a torn ACL to play each of the Pies’ finals. Never had great output in SuperCoach land.
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