How can we be paying nearly 100% of the salary cap?The only blokes contract still going from the Elliot days is Kouta's.To be honest with the list we have we should only be paying around the 85% mark.I know you have to pay 92.5%.So next year does it mean we have to over pay players?

My info last year said that we were very close to the Cap in 2005 as well, and was a reason for us not being able to pay too many players out (read - any) and of course a key driver to the list retention for a team that came last.

I wasn't able to check it through other sources.

Seems it was pretty close to the mark.

In money terms we probably pay more than the 100% of the cap. Only half of Kouta's salary goes into the cap because he is a veteran, but we still pay the other half.

We would be able to drop to 92.5% without breaking a sweat next year.

Both correct!

But jimmae the risk is what happens with the 7.5% (+ or -) Do we use it to entice a good player to the Club to lift our hopes or bank it and save the cash for financial reasons?

Bank it.

IMO, only if all other facets of acquiring a player are a win for us. We shouldn't be experimenting with anything other than youth.

Even then, I wouldn't push it past 97.5%

I think we have a small window of opportunity where Waite, Walker, Simpson and the like are all contracted, and Murph, Kennedy, Bower etc haven't done anything to deserve a pay rise yet. While this is the case, we should pay the mininum.

We would basically save $500k plus whatever we're paying Kouta outside the cap.

We should get a natural boost in improvement next year because some of our young guys are getting to that 50 games mark, and our first pick this year will be ready year 1. Save the cash.

That's my first preference, but you never know if a Stevens-esque situation could fall on your lap.

hardly a surprise that our contracts are ruining us as well.

its not as though the people in charge know what they're doing

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Frontload Fev's contract or someone elses, should always play as close to 100% as we can. In 3 years the extra space might very well make a big difference.

Cut costs in other areas, not the cap

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Time to go: Smorgon, Pagan

Bloody good point!

Do the IR laws apply to AFL players now?

If so, it might be the only good thing that J Howard has done.

We must be over paying the playing list because they are underperforming!

I mean how much do we pay Wiggins, Deluca and Prendergast?

Too much!

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First year players get 2 year deals at base rates so won't be getting a pay rise until 2008.

Take it easy blueblood95. Those 3 are not busting our balls. It's the $7M. Those guys are on peanuts.

You're entitled to your opinion but cut some slack and give Prenders a break. At least he's blitzing in the ressies, week in week out! More than I can say for about 20 others. He's been getting shafted by Pagan over the last 2 years, and now you come in and stick the boots in too. You haven't seen him for 2 years. You've got to take note that he doesn't pick the team, to ctreate an earned opportunity to impress you.

He's had 20 shots at goal, over 20 marks and over 40 possessions in the last 2 weeks. That is a sign of a player that deserves some respect.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I reckon Prendergast has a big heart but has not got the skills to be an AFL 190cm plus player.

He is Better than Deluca, but not as good as French.

You are probably right that there are a lot of worse offenders in the squad.

Maybe Pagan has it in for him.

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Aren't Whitnall and Lappin up for new contracts at end of year?