But then there’s Collingwood.
Less than 12 months ago,Melbourne coughed up pick No.27 for Grundy on the proviso that the Magpies would pay a significant portion – approximately $350,000 a season for the rest
of the contract (which ends at the end of 2027).
Yes,it was a pretty good deal for Melbourne,who only had to give up a second-round pick for a dual All-Australian and two-time club best and fairest. But Collingwood needed the cap space,so the Demons were always going to have the majority of the leverage.
This column can reveal that,when the deal goes through,Collingwood will seek clarity from the AFL as to whether the club can remove itself from the deal,and therefore clear the $350,000-a-year space in their future total player payments.