The Hackdorn 'exclusive' is what's been on other people's Twitter feed for weeks now, even with the length and $$ numbers. So, not really an exclusive here. The only problem is, this contract from Brissie is something akin to a Nat Fyfe 'franchise' deal and Freo would be stupid to attempt to match it and LN would be stupid to turn down. Good luck to him. I reckon if Freo were on the 'verge' of greatness, and the offer from Freo was 'competitive' Lachie would stay.
A few years ago, the idea of a 'franchise' contract offered to a player from each team that is exempt from the salary cap was floated as a means of retaining LN-type players. I think it's a good idea, to quarantine the designated 'franchise' contracted player since a team could offer LN a lot more money to stay. As it stands, LN is going to be earning Nat Fyfe/Buddy/Dustin kind of money, or in that ballpark.
It's up to Freo to now squeeze Brisbane for all it's worth. The moment LN said he was leaving was the moment Freo shift into hardball mode and say you stay for the duration of your contract and we live with the compo pick when you become an unrestricted free agent. Hold 'em and make them blink.
