2017 Off-Season

[Booney]

WEST Coast has secured Port Adelaide midfielder Brendon Ah Chee after getting the Power to agree to a deal for the 23-year-old.

AFL.com.au understands the Eagles will hand over their third round selection in next year's draft while also receiving one of the Power's fourth-round picks in the 2018 draft.

The Eagles originally offered their fourth round pick in this year's draft, pick No.68 overall, while the Power were holding firm at a third round selection.

Ah Chee was searching for more opportunities to play senior football after managing just five games last season for the Power.

It was going to be tougher to crack into the Power's best 22 following the addition of former Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff and Geelong speedster Steven Motlop.

Ah Chee can win the ball on the inside while also pushing forward and making an impact on the scoreboard.

He should be able to find room in the Eagles' midfield following the retirements of Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell.

[Jim05]

Geez Port got a packet of crisps for AhChee by the looks

Less than

Upgrade from a 2018 4th round to a 2018 3rd round, seems very cheap

[Booney]

Geez Port got a packet of crisps for AhChee by the looks

Less than

Can't see this one biting us, has had enough chances and is now behind 27 year old Rockliff, 23 year old Wines, 19 year old SPP and is competing with Atley and Drew for a spot.

[Lightning McQueen]

Geez Port got a packet of crisps for AhChee by the looks

Less than

Upgrade from a 2018 4th round to a 2018 3rd round, seems very cheap

They did realise that he was starved of opportunity, had rellies in WA and he was a great lad, probably all helped make it easy for him, probably freed up some coin too.

[Booney]

THE AFL has been accused of fixing its free agency compensation system to make sure the club they own gets a decent prize for letting superstar Gary Ablett walk to Geelong this trade period.

Veteran AFL journalist Damian Barrett told Triple M Adelaide’s Roo and Ditts on Tuesday morning the AFL awarded Geelong an end-of-first-round draft selection as rich compensation for losing Steven Motlop to Port Adelaide through free agency as a deliberate scheme to arm the Cats with enough draft bounty to convince the Suns to let Ablett return to Geelong.

The extraordinary accusation of corruption in the AFL’s free agency compensation system comes as Barrett reported even the Cats were shocked to learn they would receive the No. 19 draft pick following Motlop’s decision to move to the Power.

Motlop received the same compensation the Brisbane Lions received for losing gun midfielder Tom Rockliff to Port Adelaide.

In 2013, Hawthorn received pick No. 19 as compensation for losing megastar Lance Franklin to the Swans through free agency.

Barrett and Adelaide Crows legend Mark Ricciuto said the Motlop compensation for Geelong did not pass the smell test.

Barrett said the AFL had “looked after” the Cats with a “bonus” gift which he said would be the key to allow Ablett to return home.

When asked if Ablett is now certain to return to the Cats, Barrett said: “Yeah, absolutely”.

“The return of pick No. 19, or the granting of pick No. 19 for Geelong losing Motlop, that was the AFL saying, ‘Here’s a real bonus for you’. They (Geelong) personally and privately thought they would only get pick No. 35 for Motlop.

“The AFL’s looked after the Cats there. Don’t for a minute think there’s a (compensation) formula, Roo. Because it allows them to go and do what they’re going to do to get Ablett in.”

The AFL’s complex compensation algorithm was also heavily criticised by Lions recruitment chief David Noble on Tuesday, who admitted his club is disappointed it was not offered more for losing Rockliff.

Ricciuto, a Crows board member, hit out at the AFL for the lack of transparency surrounding its involvement in free agency compensation.

“That is a disgrace if what you’re saying is correct,” he said. “If what you’re saying is the case, there needs to be an inquiry into that.”

Barrett said there is growing evidence for the league to dump free agency compensation completely and allow free agency to function as a free market where clubs receive nothing in exchange for losing a player to a higher bidder.

“There needs to be an enquiry full stop into this rubbish formula,” he said.

“There is no formula. It is whatever the person in charge at the AFL wants to do at the time.

“There is no way, on past experiences, that Motlop was worthy of what the Cats have got for him.”

Noble said on Tuesday he plans to meet with the AFL to demand an explanation as to why the Lions were only given pick No. 19.

“We’re really frustrated, we’re going to talk to the AFL and Greg Swann’s coming down tomorrow,” Noble told AFL Trade Radio.

“I mean it is secret herbs and spices. I understand that free agency is not full compensation, compared to when the new franchises came in. We get that but it still doesn’t equate.

“We don’t believe that there’s enough mechanisms or enough levels in there that I guess give you the understanding.

“I’ve never understood the fact that a team almost lucks in to a position where you finish on the ladder, and so therefore if you lose a free agent it’s then attached to where you finish on the ladder.

“Hawthorn lost the best player (Lance Franklin) and got pick No. 18. Melbourne looked like it got some help because it ended up for them as good compensation.”

Incoming AFL footy operations boss Steve Hocking defended the Motlop compensation decision by the AFL, declaring it was justified considering the large salary offer put to him by the Power.

He said the salary and the age of the Cats speedster were the main determining factors.

“I would say in Motlop’s case he’s signed a fairly significant contract with Port Adelaide and hence, that’s where it’s landed,” he sad.

[Dutchy]

Why would the AFL be interested in assisting Geelong land Ablett? He may only play one year and disappear from the industry like his old man.

[Booney]

Why would the AFL be interested in assisting Geelong land Ablett? He may only play one year and disappear from the industry like his old man.

You do know Stephen Wells now runs that department?

[Lightning McQueen]

Why would the AFL be interested in assisting Geelong land Ablett? He may only play one year and disappear from the industry like his old man.

Probably feel guilty for getting him up there in the first place

[therisingblues]

Why would the AFL be interested in assisting Geelong land Ablett? He may only play one year and disappear from the industry like his old man.

To give the Suns a leg up?

[Jim05]

Why would the AFL be interested in assisting Geelong land Ablett? He may only play one year and disappear from the industry like his old man.

To give the Suns a leg up?

Bingo!
Said this days ago.

[bertiebeatle]

Kane Cornes reporting the Watts deal will be finalised today

[Booney]

Kane Cornes reporting the Watts deal will be finalised today

Pick 31.

[stan]

Kane Cornes reporting the Watts deal will be finalised today

Pick 31.

Far too much for capt pea heart.

[Wedgie]

Theres a complex algorithm but theres no forumula?
Huh?

[stan]

Theres a complex algorithm but theres no forumula?
Huh?

Just take the win because its a bloody good result for you lol

[mighty_tiger_79]

Watts to Power is another win for Cats.
He will just hinder a kids development and Will fit in nicely at Port. If only Tippett was fit....
A trio of Mots, Watts, tipps is a recipe for premierships

[woodublieve12]

Watts to Power is another win for Cats.
He will just hinder a kids development and Will fit in nicely at Port. If only Tippett was fit....
A trio of Mots, Watts, tipps is a recipe for premierships

Tippett helped us get to two more grand finals than Dangerfield has for Geelong

[Lightning McQueen]

Kane Cornes reporting the Watts deal will be finalised today

Must be true then.

[Lightning McQueen]

Watts to Power is another win for Cats.
He will just hinder a kids development and Will fit in nicely at Port. If only Tippett was fit....
A trio of Mots, Watts, tipps is a recipe for premierships

Tippett helped us get to two more grand finals than Dangerfield has for Geelong

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

[Booney]

Kane Cornes reporting the Watts deal will be finalised today

Must be true then.

Versatile big man Jack Watts is the third player to join Port Adelaide this post-season, moving from Melbourne in exchange for pick 31 in this year’s National Draft.

The 26-year-old forward says he’s determined to get the best out of himself at Alberton.

“From a club perspective there’s a lot to be optimistic about,” Watts said.

“Port Adelaide finished just outside the top four last year, have some really promising young players who are getting some experience under their belts and they’ve added two great footballers already to their list in Tom Rockliff and Steven Motlop.

“Personally, I can’t wait for pre-season to begin so I can start working with the likes of Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak and Chad Wingard.”

Port Adelaide List Manager Jason Cripps says Watts will be a valuable addition to the Power’s forward half.

“He has great skills, particularly by foot which we feel is an area where we can improve as a team,” Cripps said.

“He’s a good athlete too and an experienced player so we’re confident he’ll make our team better.”

Watts was chosen by Melbourne with pick no.1 in the 2008 National Draft. He’s played 153 games and kicked 143 goals across nine seasons with the Demons.