Well, the question was asked "why would a player shift from Carlton to GWS?" and the answer I gave is: money. I think that still holds true.

Whether or not Murphy actually has signed already we won't know until year's end. But if he has, then money would be the reason.

People change jobs for money all the time. And of course money is important to Murphy. Why else wouldn't he have signed already? If mateship and success were the key drivers, he'd be busting Swann's door down to sign. The fact that he's holding out tells us that he's chasing the bucks.

Best case scenario:
He strings it out, and extracts as much money as he can get from Carlton.

Worst case scenario:
He goes to GWS for heaps of money.

Either course of action tells us that money is playing an important role here.

I'm not knocking him for that attitude though. It's entirely normal in society now. I won't begrudge him anything. But I'll be dismayed that those in charge of the game have turned it into a business that benefits a handful (themselves), at the expense of many (us).

Murph traditionally signs a contract later in the year because of his marketing and other bits and pieces.

Signing one playing is never the total consideration of a club but rather the rest of the group who are coming out of contract and what their prices will be/are worth.

People seem to think signing him up should be easy, but it isn't.

None of us have any control as to whether he stays or goes, so no point stressing over it.

My gut however, says he will stay.

The starting of two new clubs does not happen often and the managers of these players would make there players keenly aware that the sort of money available in this time won't be around again during their careers.

It's the "once in a lifetime opportunity" where a guy like Murph (as good as he is) could earn more than bona fide champ like Judd , and not just a bit more.

Once the GC17 and GWS madness is over , the pay rates might take another 5 years or longer to catch up to what these guys will earn now.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Spot on cimm. Kids like Murph have to look at opportunity with an open mind.

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I need some new conspiracy theories; all my others have come true.

Well ... Terry says our Premiership window is not going to be open long ... maybe Murph thinks its not worth it...

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

..Murph ain't goin'....

..i reckon it's BS that Murph is one of these so-called "5 names" that have already reached a heads of agreement.. ..last year GC had a bunch, and the only real star they got was Gazza, Harbrow's a good up and coming youngster, and Riska is a good/solid player.. ..Bock's already on the decline [injuries catching up], Krakka's not much in my opinion either, Brown is meh etc etc....

..Gibbs was linked to GC, he re-signed midyear from memory.. ..most journo's have no clue, and will take guesses with every player out of contract that's half-decent,, let alone anyone with real skill/talent.. far more players linked to GC re-signed with their original clubs vs being poached by GC..

..and amid all the latest scuttlebutt regarding WS poachings, Murph's name is no longer being bandied about.. ..last yr it was martin and nicnat off to WS, any young kid will be talked up..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Murph's 23 and able to command a massive contract with a club guaranteed to succeed...

Maybe he'd like to fly the nest... wouldn't blame him one bit.

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There's so much I could say...

I'll be pissed if WS offer him $600k per year and we offer him $500k per year and decides to leave..he's still got so much to prove.. with an elite top group and a strong charismatic captain in a good solid culture he should think twice about making stupid moves since he hasnt proven anything yet apart from being a good footballer with loads of talent/

If he goes the difference will be more than about 55k after tax

GC missed out n their first target (pav) who used their offer to bump his contract from 800k to 1 mil year. Expect Murph to do the same but with the probable departures of Thornton Setanta and Scotty there should be plenty of room. Add to that the fact that Carrots is due for a huge pay cut after he was signed on very big $ after he won the b&f and Waites next contract will be heavily backended to take advantage of him going onto the vets list.

Well put guys.

I can see similar signs of similarities betwen Gazza at the GC and Murphs at GWS, but I really doubt it.

I am sure we have room for 'creative flair' with contracts and the ability to offer more in the future, in different forms and shapes, let alone we are a big Melbourne club which is why he chose Carlton over Father son prospect Lions....that should be plenty...then there's Judd, Kreuzer, Gibbs and the Blues flag factor...and all his mates....it's his choice, but I am not confident he's not going anywhere before the 17th flag is secured...he's a Melbourne boy.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

double post

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

triple post

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Michael Hurley also delayed re-signing with the scum to boost his contract. He was never going to leave them but got a few more $$ out of the club. Why would Murphy re-sign now when he could milk the club for more money.

Besides, wasn't Judd's contract front ended anyway? We should have enough room for an increased offer.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Would be nice though for him to come out and publicly say I want to stay at Carlton and be a one club player, and contract will Sort itself out in due course.

Loses some bargaining power then doesn't he?

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

If Smurph is stupid enough to read and believe any garbage which Tanned Terry spouts, then maybe he's not Carlton material after all...

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Murphy would be crazy to leave now. The Club is on the cusp of achieving something special and he will be a major part of it if he stays.

Gazza was heavily underpaid in the Cats socialist system on a 500K per year 5 year deal and will be paid 2M a year in his first few at GC in a massive increase which the cats couldnt come close to matching. We will be able to get close to any reasonable offer Murph gets but he needs to not get to greedy and realise Gibbs signed for 450k approx and guys like Kruz Yarran Lucas and Jeffy will al be wanting a bigger slice of the pie over the next 2 or 3 yrs.

Let's not forget MM is coming off a so-so season where he came off a very limited base. Not the ideal scenario to be basing your financial worth on.
I'm glad he's backing himself in to have a great season and prove his true value. I'd suggest he's just looking for his actual abilities to be the basis of his contract.

Murphy is at the age where his football should take some big steps forward. Good on him for having the confidence to show his wares to Swann and the decision makers.

On the other hand, he could be going to GWS and he can get stuffed!

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.