I was. I was also a fan of GAJ, Nat Fyfe, Chris Judd, Cyril Rioli and Eddie Betts. I enjoy watching the best players apply their craft. It's why Michael Jordan had fans from every corner of the world, not just Chicago Bulls supporters. `
I still believe players want to stay with a club if they form good relationships with other players and coaches. Some players want to change clubs to be closer to home, better playing opportunities, a chance to win a premiership or to reboot a stagnant career. With all the talk about free agency, there really aren't that many player movements made purely for more money. It's hard to blame a player for accepting an offer when a free agent for a contract well above market value, like Nick Malceski, Daniel Wells and Chris Mayne, to give a few recent examples.
Players like Heeney may get a contract above what might be considered fair market value, even for such a talented player, due to offers from other clubs. Player managers help boost the value of these players and force clubs to pay more to retain elite players. But that's what player managers get paid for. Their position in contract negotiations erodes player loyalty as the interests of the manager rests with remuneration, not loyalty.
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