Hawthorn legend Jordan Lewis says Essendon is now ready the place it doesn’t must “overpay” gamers amid uncertainty round star midfielder Darcy Parish and others’ futures.
Despite the Bombers’ season being formally over after Friday night time’s 70-point loss to Collingwood, Parish stays unsigned amid a pay stalemate simply weeks after Essendon tabled him a five-year deal.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Reports this week claimed there’s a half one million distinction of opinion between the 2 events, although the free agent has beforehand acknowledged he desires to stay on the Bombers.
Speaking on Fox Footy, Lewis urged Essendon to face agency with its contract supply for the betterment of the membership.
“It’s a tough decision (on Parish),” the four-time premiership Hawk started.
“I think Essendon are now in a position where they don’t have to overpay players.
“Parish has been there for a long time. If he’s committed and if you sell the vision, then you pay him what he’s worth and nothing over. If he doesn’t like that, then you’re free to let him go.
“We’ve seen it time and time again when clubs pay too much for one player, the rest of the bottom end falls away.”
The 26-year outdated, who was an All-Australian in 2021, obtained again to a few of his finest kind this season, averaging 30.8 disposals per sport and career-highs in tackles (4.3), inside 50s (6.1) and clearances (7.7).
Despite this, Essendon, after such a promising begin to the 12 months underneath new coach Brad Scott, fell away badly late within the season.
Scott’s workforce dropped 5 of its final seven video games – the 2 wins narrowly coming over backside two sides West Coast and North Melbourne – together with a horror 126-point loss to GWS final week.
“He hasn’t been the difference between being a finals team and not,” former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley mentioned of Parish on Fox Footy.
“You’ve got to weigh that up – Darcy Parish versus potentially a late first rounder and space in your cap.”
Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph described Parish’s contract scenario because the “elephant in the room” for the Bombers, revealing the membership would solely obtain a mid-to-late first-round compensation decide if the on-baller departed.
That compensation could be swallowed up if the Bombers land Kangaroos free agent Ben McKay.
“(Parish) has absolutely been offered a five-year deal, about $700,000-750,000 a year. They are reluctant to up their price – here’s the issue … if he leaves for a club like Geelong, any free agency compensation would be about Pick 9,” Ralph mentioned on Fox Footy.
“Then it would shuffle back to about Pick 13 by the time the Gold Coast Academy picks and the Ben McKay compensation slots in.
“So you are really losing a player like Darcy Parish for Pick 13 in a mediocre draft over $50,000 a year. Or for nothing if of course they did secure Ben McKay as a free agent – that would cancel that compensation out.
“So big decisions ahead with a key back departing… still some significant list issues to try and fill.”
The Bombers reportedly have $2 million in cap house forward of huge choices for record administration as they proceed to mould their younger facet underneath Scott.
In addition to Parish, Brandon-Zerk-Thatcher, Harrison Jones, Jye Menzie, Massimo D’Ambrosio and Nick Bryan stay with out offers for 2024, however Ralph mentioned the membership doesn’t to “overspend” or “overpay” their record.
“They haven’t offered enough right now for Darcy Parish to give away his free agency rights,” he famous.
“They certainly aren’t paying enough to be in the market for Ben McKay – they need another key back.
“If you’re Parish and you believe that Essendon was close to finals, the last fortnight has been a significant reality check.”
Ralph additionally revealed Zerk-Thatcher is more likely to depart for Port Adelaide, whereas Bryan’s future stays clouded.
“My expectation is that Essendon believe Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will leave. He will request a trade to Port Adelaide,” Ralph mentioned.
“As (Bombers footy boss Josh Mahoney) told Fox Footy (on Zerk-Thatcher): ‘He has had a deal in front of him for a long period of time. We’d like to think he’d stay but we also understand he might be looking for another opportunity’.
“That clearly is Essendon thinking he’s gone.
“Back-up ruckman Nick Bryan has been offered a new deal – he is yet to sign it. He is better than a backup, he dominates in the VFL.
“Again, clubs like West Coast are circling; they need to keep him.”
Ralph added: “Dylan Shiel is a required player as Mahoney said. He has explosiveness, he gives them a point of difference in their midfield so he will not be trade bait.”
Originally printed as Essendon’s ‘tough decision’ on star looms, breakout defender ‘will leave’
Source: www.news.com.au
