I’m not unhappy with the clubs decision to push GC hard for an ‘overs’ trade for Weller.
As has been previously pointed out - he grew up in Tassie, spent a few years on the GC where his family moved to support older brother Mav’s drafting by GC (who then dumped him a few years later in acrimonious circumstances) prior to being drafted by us.
Now I know manager’s are all about maximising the returns for their players as it beefs up their own pay packet - but suggesting Lachie wants to return to where ‘the family business is located’ is stretching the bounds of credibility. His parents still live in Melbourne, as far as I know.
So basically apart from a few high school mates, he’s heading home because his girlfriend wants to.
Fine, the thought of a 4 year deal when only half way through a current 2 year deal might be a daunting prospect. But it’s not like the Wilson situation where he’s a few years older and about to have his first child - hence the desire to head home to be closer to family and friend support networks.
Clearly the club rates Weller to offer him a 4 year deal (would love to know the money offered compared to GC) and he has been given games in front of others as a result. The club probably also did that based on his comments when signing the current deal - that he saw himself playing his career out at the Dockers.
Barely 12 months later he now wants to go home - primarily, it seems, because of his girlfriend.
Who’s to say he doesn’t goes back to GC - a basket case club if there ever was one - and he splits with his girlfriend? It’s not like they’re married or having a family (yet).
My point is, plenty of players have expressed a desire to leave their club for all sorts of reasons - only to stick around when a deal can’t be struck and settle back in. Think Dusty Martin.
Maybe by making him see out his current contract he can be convinced to sign a shorter extension (say 2 years) on more money and we try our best to fix him up with a local gal (ala Pav) in the meantime?! (Sarcastica font engaged)
There’s always a risk he might leave at the end of next year and we end up losing him for not much - but it might be worth it in the long run.
As it is, GC need to make this deal happen due to their parlous state and mass exodus of good players. Maybe we should be pushing for their first round pick next year in what shapes as a bumper draft pool?
As it is, pick 2 this year is of no real value as we can get Wilson and Matera without it. Having potentially pick 1 next year gives us far more, IMHO.