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In Melbourne’s Herald Sun yesterday, Dangerfield was valued by Chris Pelchen on the free market at $1.25 million dollars, up on his estimate of him being on around 800k a year.
Patrick Dangerfield is a very good footballer, there’s no debating this. But the question of whether Dangerfield has improved or is likely to improve a third of his game to be worth that figure, is doubtful.
$1.2 million dollars is Gary Ablett, Lance Franklin or Nick Riewoldt in his prime territory, something of an irreplaceable asset. If the market is about supply and demand, very good midfielders are plentiful in the next few rounds of free agency pools, compared to key forwards or defenders.
Patrick Dangerfield is many things; quick out of packs, can find the goals and can be an influential player in game. Is he a modern marvel like Ablett, Franklin and (prime) Riewoldt at the moment? Maybe not.
Paying Dangerfield that extra 400k (or even 300k) hampers Adelaide’s movements as it attempts to re-tool a list and re-sign others that may be lured from South Australia in the manner of Kurt Tippett or Jack Gunston.
Being three or four seasons from contending again, letting Dangerfield walk would not only give them a guaranteed first round draft pick, but room to go shopping for an engine room that will be in its prime when it does challenge.
Paying 1/10th of your salary cap when managing a list of 40 odd people on one player can be fraught with (no pun intended) danger. If Patrick is loyal, he’ll understand this and make concessions.
Eyebrows were raised (perhaps jokingly) yesterday when Dangerfield tweeted messages of support for the Victorian Bushrangers whilst playing in their Sheffield Shield final. A swathe of Victorian clubs, including Geelong and Hawthorn are rushing to sign the Victorian native.
There is a chance he will stay, but if he does walk and that million dollar threshold is crossed, perhaps it’s for the best.
Free agency is designed to work in the best interest of players and artificially inflates their own worth. Carlton paid in the range of 700k for the services of Dale Thomas, and that risk is looking more and more like a prospective bust.
Adelaide shouldn’t need to be held to ransom for such an unrealistic demand if it arises.