That line of thinking is exactly how we ended up with Parish and Ridley’s contracts.
I love Martin, I want him to stay of course. But we have been signing contracts based on the fear of players walking out for 15 years and it’s got us nowhere.
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No-one else was offering Parish a long term deal, Ridley still had at least 2 years on his contract when we extended. Neither had a Tassie looming who could just take an uncontracted player. Different situations.
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He is also no certainty to play again at that level.
We have watched player after player sit on long term injury lists with nice fat contracts. I for one am not happy with this.
Welcome Mic Nartin
We’ve just locked in a guy with knee issues for the next five years.
Why so long?
Had a year remaining so why not give him an additional two? Three years not enough? See ya.
Even without the knee issues 5 years is too much.
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Ahhhh Essendon FC and long term contract extensions (which are more than likely front ended). This isn’t going to end well is it?
there’s clearly a lot of contract-related ptsd around here
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That is the fault of the ESSENDON BOMBERS FOOTBALL CLUB, though. They’re the ones who have caused it.
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Merrett was our best player because Martin wasn’t as consistent as him (not saying Martin was very inconsistent), but Martin was already more talented than him. He’s easily better than Durham, and Ridley too, probably only because the latter is just too conservative with his footy.
So, yes, Martin is our best player now (if he can get back to his best, obviously) and it is not even close, imo.
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Dont have to agree!
Personally I think Brad Scott was an absolute list killer and negatively impacted quite a few of our players progression with constant positional shifts and the lack of a gameplan.
When Scott arrived Martin was rated the 3rd best wingman in the comp, Scott then played him at half back, half forward and finally midfield.
Im really excited to have a proper coach who correctly utilizes his players.
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We have the cap space, we have no other elite players and its also a different scenario given Martins attitude is nothing like that of Ridley or Parish.
Time will tell but I dont think we are losing out with this extension.
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Weird take wondering if Nic can get back to his best… it’s just an ACL, he’s done the rehab, he’s strengthened the area, he’s a true pro with everything to do with footy.
The fact that each year Nic does extra in the offseason to be the best version of himself emphasises the level of professionalism the bloke has.
Nic is in his prime, expecting a big year from him in ‘27
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MARTO.
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This club never learns. So frustrating
Zero reason to give the guy a long term deal on what I presume is big money after he has done his knee twice in 2 years
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Mic Nartin
me too
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I’m apprehensive about this, but at the same time I reckon it’s probably good business to lock him away for another four years while his value is at an ebb. If he comes back next season and picks up where he left off, we’d potentially be forking out a hell of a lot more to secure his signature.
It’s a bit of a gamble, but I can see the logic behind it.
Tassie?
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100% Agree, we picked him out of no where gave him a chance he does nothing for us in two years and we farkin extend him….Are you serious! what a dumb decision… next announcement will be we are extending Lewis Hayes for 5 years
It’s wild how many people don’t realise he played 16 games last year.
Bloke is a pure professional, have absolutely no issues with this extension.
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