TonyK
CibbuanoLions left fuming at Michael
November 24th 2006 05:56
The Brisbane Lions have labelled ‘retired’ star Mal Michael’s shock two-year deal with Essendon as a disgrace and an alarming precedent for the AFL.
The three-time premiership player was released from the final year of his Lions contract and agreed to two years of ambassadorial duties for the Lions, including game development in his native Papua New Guinea.
This ambassadorship was on the understanding that Michael had genuinely retired from the AFL.
The 29-year-old full-back was granted early release after citing a lack of passion for the rigors of full-time professional football, stating that he wanted to move on with the next phase of his life.
The Lions are asking the AFL to rule Michael ineligible for December’s pre-season draft where Essendon have confirmed they will select him as their first round choice.
Brisbane has stated they will explore all options, including legal action, to ensure it is duly compensated for what is essentially a top drawer trade to Essendon.
Lions chief executive Michael Bowers said the matter should ring alarm bells for the AFL.
“Michael’s actions are disgraceful and make a mockery of the AFL draft system that ensures Club contracts are not at the mercy of players’ hidden agendas or changing whims,” he said.
“Mal said that he wanted to retire from full-time footy, so we agreed on terms out of respect for his personal wishes. If he really wanted to play for a Melbourne side then he should have prepared us for trading so we could be fairly compensated for losing a contracted year of his services."
Bowers said if Michael was allowed to play for the Bombers next season, the integrity of AFL contracts and drafting would be seriously undermined.
"We want the AFL to investigate this matter and we believe Michael should be disqualified from the draft and have his player registration refused for 2007," Bowers said.
“If this situation is left to stand, then the integrity of AFL contracts and the drafting system will be seriously undermined. It creates the potential for anarchy and no other AFL Club could seriously support such a precedent that could jeopardise their own future football planning."
The Lions have lodged an official complaint with the AFL and General Manager of Football Operations, Adrian Anderson said he expected the matter to be completed within weeks.
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The three-time premiership player was released from the final year of his Lions contract and agreed to two years of ambassadorial duties for the Lions, including game development in his native Papua New Guinea.
This ambassadorship was on the understanding that Michael had genuinely retired from the AFL.
The 29-year-old full-back was granted early release after citing a lack of passion for the rigors of full-time professional football, stating that he wanted to move on with the next phase of his life.
The Lions are asking the AFL to rule Michael ineligible for December’s pre-season draft where Essendon have confirmed they will select him as their first round choice.
Brisbane has stated they will explore all options, including legal action, to ensure it is duly compensated for what is essentially a top drawer trade to Essendon.
Lions chief executive Michael Bowers said the matter should ring alarm bells for the AFL.
“Michael’s actions are disgraceful and make a mockery of the AFL draft system that ensures Club contracts are not at the mercy of players’ hidden agendas or changing whims,” he said.
“Mal said that he wanted to retire from full-time footy, so we agreed on terms out of respect for his personal wishes. If he really wanted to play for a Melbourne side then he should have prepared us for trading so we could be fairly compensated for losing a contracted year of his services."
Bowers said if Michael was allowed to play for the Bombers next season, the integrity of AFL contracts and drafting would be seriously undermined.
"We want the AFL to investigate this matter and we believe Michael should be disqualified from the draft and have his player registration refused for 2007," Bowers said.
“If this situation is left to stand, then the integrity of AFL contracts and the drafting system will be seriously undermined. It creates the potential for anarchy and no other AFL Club could seriously support such a precedent that could jeopardise their own future football planning."
The Lions have lodged an official complaint with the AFL and General Manager of Football Operations, Adrian Anderson said he expected the matter to be completed within weeks.
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