West Coast could seek a transfer fee to release Sam Mitchell to a Victorian club

WEST Coast assistant coach Sam Mitchell wants to return to Victoria and there are no shortage of clubs clamouring for his services. But the Eagles could demand a transfer fee to release him from his contract, Jay Clark writes.

West Coast could demand a transfer fee to release assistant coach Sam Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

WEST Coast could secure a transfer fee to release assistant coach Sam Mitchell to a Melbourne-based club next season.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed the Eagles are prepared to block Mitchell’s request to move closer to family in Melbourne next season.

He is contracted for two more seasons in the west.

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West Coast could demand a transfer fee to release assistant coach Sam Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

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Carlton is considered a frontrunner for Mitchell based on his close friendship with senior coach Brendon Bolton, along with his former club Hawthorn.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire yesterday said any club which secures Mitchell should have to satisfy West Coast in a deal for the first-year assistant coach.

“There needs to be a little bit of compensation going back (the Eagles’) way,” McGuire said.

“They have got their plans set, they have opened their hearts and their minds to a bloke, who is going to come back and be paid to use that (intellectual property) against them.

“They deserve at least some sort of compensation in the circumstances to replace him.”

West Coast’s decision to keep Mitchell to his contract would have the support of the AFL Coaches Association.

Mitchell wants to return to Melbourne with his family. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

McGuire said the Magpies were compensated when former football manager Rodney Eade left the club to coach Gold Coast.

“You say ‘Let’s do a deal that makes it a little bit easier for me and we were able to come to an elegant deal with Gold Coast which actually helped them,” McGuire said on Triple M.

“So, there’s something for everybody.

“You can’t just walk in, reef out one of your key people and then just go ‘Oh well, that’s it, bad luck’.”

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