ROK - Re signs with swans for 4 years. (Confirmed)

[Nico]

Another article in the Herald Sun this morning suggests Essendon are stil sniffing around and he wants to go back to the family bit. Not that I begrudge him going back to the family, it's his right, but the fact that interstate sides are in before the Dons seems to be the barrier to him nominating for the PSD.

So as I read it; he wants to go home, he wants the $450,000 but doesn't want to go interstate. I can't help thinking that the interstate clubs know that he won't be happy anywhere else but Melbourne Town. So the longer the saga goes, the rat is smelling more by the day and something is rotten in Denmark or both. Essendon are poised to grab him in the PSD. Surely it doesn't take that long to make up your mind and we have offered him a ramped up offer. Is the delay designed to make it look like an agonising decision so that the AFL won't look at Essendon with regards draft tampering?

He's down here bike riding and sounding very confortable with himself.

[Nico]

By the way the Herald Sun is loving his agonising wait. He has had his picture in the rag every day this week. It seems he is more newsworthy right now than Megan Gale and Jennifer Hawkins.

[msb]

Another article in the Herald Sun this morning suggests Essendon are stil sniffing around and he wants to go back to the family bit. Not that I begrudge him going back to the family, it's his right, but the fact that interstate sides are in before the Dons seems to be the barrier to him nominating for the PSD.

So as I read it; he wants to go home, he wants the $450,000 but doesn't want to go interstate. I can't help thinking that the interstate clubs know that he won't be happy anywhere else but Melbourne Town. So the longer the saga goes, the rat is smelling more by the day and something is rotten in Denmark or both. Essendon are poised to grab him in the PSD. Surely it doesn't take that long to make up your mind and we have offered him a ramped up offer. Is the delay designed to make it look like an agonising decision so that the AFL won't look at Essendon with regards draft tampering?

He's down here bike riding and sounding very confortable with himself.

I had hoped that he would be staying obviously but after reading that article this morning it is obvious that he is REALLY keen to get back here, so it would be best for him if he does I rekon. His heart wont be in it next year, family comes first obviously. We perhaps should of just taken what we could in trade week (if there was anything!) and let him go, it's just ridiculous the amount of time this is being dragged out for.

[CureTheSane]

Give him one year.
With the understanding that he will be out next year but will be committed for 2009.
Then he has the opportunity to increase (or perhaps justify) his trade value and we may be able to obtain a first round pick for him.

[swantastic]

Give him one year.
With the understanding that he will be out next year but will be committed for 2009.
Then he has the opportunity to increase (or perhaps justify) his trade value and we may be able to obtain a first round pick for him.

He doesnt need to justify any thing he has already proven him self.He is easile worth a 1st round pick now.There was 2 reasons some teams baulked at him and they were price and that the GC team are going to take all the best young players for the next 2 years.Next year will be an even worse time for Rok to leave.So he might as well sign on for another 3 years.

[Triple B]

Sign him on for 3 years with a clause he can look for a suitable deal, for both Sydney and ROK, to a Melbourne club at the end of each season.

This shows the Melbourne clubs that they can't offer a 3rd rd pick and a fringe player and expect the Swans to cough up.

So at the end of next season, we go back to the trade table, if a deal is struck he goes home, if not he commits to fullfilling his contract at Sydney for another season.

By signing on for 3 years rather than 1, it takes out the option of Melbourne clubs not trading in the hope they can get him in the PSD.

[top40]

The latest story I have heard is that in the order of the Pre Season Draft in December goes like this:

1. Carlton
2. to 4. Non Victoria clubs
5. Essendon

Carlton has already said they can't acquire O'Keefe. O'Keefe is desperate to relocate to Victoria, and nowhere else. His fear is that with Carlton passing him up, he will be exposed to be drafted to a club away from Victoria. Not wishing to take such risk, he may be 'forced' to stay in Sydney with a modest three year contract of a mere $1.35 million. Can't help but feel sorry for him!

[connolly]

Another article in the Herald Sun this morning suggests Essendon are stil sniffing around and he wants to go back to the family bit. Not that I begrudge him going back to the family, it's his right, but the fact that interstate sides are in before the Dons seems to be the barrier to him nominating for the PSD.

So as I read it; he wants to go home, he wants the $450,000 but doesn't want to go interstate. I can't help thinking that the interstate clubs know that he won't be happy anywhere else but Melbourne Town. So the longer the saga goes, the rat is smelling more by the day and something is rotten in Denmark or both. Essendon are poised to grab him in the PSD. Surely it doesn't take that long to make up your mind and we have offered him a ramped up offer. Is the delay designed to make it look like an agonising decision so that the AFL won't look at Essendon with regards draft tampering?

He's down here bike riding and sounding very confortable with himself.

This being the club that picked up the "retired" full-back from Brissie? Must admit though that he played for the squibs like he should have retired.

[CureTheSane]

He doesnt need to justify any thing he has already proven him self.He is easile worth a 1st round pick now.There was 2 reasons some teams baulked at him and they were price and that the GC team are going to take all the best young players for the next 2 years.Next year will be an even worse time for Rok to leave.So he might as well sign on for another 3 years.

He does need to increase his trade vale if he wants to move back to Victoria
Simply, he is not worth a first round selection and the $ he asked for.
That is what the market has deemed.

[swantastic]

He does need to increase his trade vale if he wants to move back to Victoria
Simply, he is not worth a first round selection and the $ he asked for.
That is what the market has deemed.

It wasnt that he isnt worth a 1st pick its just that the clubs didnt want to give up theres because the GC will take the best young talent for the next couple of years.Also this draft is ment to be very strong up till pick 20.He will be 29 next year so that will put clubs off even more.

[liz]

The latest story I have heard is that in the order of the Pre Season Draft in December goes like this:

1. Carlton
2. to 4. Non Victoria clubs
5. Essendon

Carlton has already said they can't acquire O'Keefe. O'Keefe is desperate to relocate to Victoria, and nowhere else. His fear is that with Carlton passing him up, he will be exposed to be drafted to a club away from Victoria. Not wishing to take such risk, he may be 'forced' to stay in Sydney with a modest three year contract of a mere $1.35 million. Can't help but feel sorry for him!

The order is

1. Melbourne
2.to 4. Non Vic clubs
5. Essendon
6. Carlton

Carlton have "pulled out" because they came to the conclusion they couldn't get him to put such a high figure on his head entering the PSD that would ensure none of the teams before would pick him up. It seems to have been assumed Melbourne wouldn't be in the race at any kind of figure he'd be looking for because the AFL is getting them to reduce their TPP next year to around 92.5% of the max in return for increased financial assistance. Comments from Bailey a couple of days ago suggest they haven't completely ruled him out. If he really is desperate to play in Melbourne he just has to agree to a modestly decent contract with the Dees and it will all be settled.

It would be less galling losing him to nothing to them than to the Dawks or Blooos.

But then he'd spend the rest of his career with a struggling team - he's a good player but he's not enough to propel the Dees back up to the top 8 any time soon.

[dimelb]

He does need to increase his trade vale if he wants to move back to Victoria
Simply, he is not worth a first round selection and the $ he asked for.
That is what the market has deemed.

He might be in next year's market - which makes Triple B's suggestion above more attractive.

[CureTheSane]

It wasnt that he isnt worth a 1st pick

Cashed up Vic clubs weren't interested in him due to 2 reasons.
1) they wouldn't pay his asking price.
2) They wouldn't cough up a first round selection.

He IS NOT worth what he asked.
This is very clearly evident.
This is why he didn't get traded and is in limbo.

its just that the clubs didnt want to give up theres because the GC will take the best young talent for the next couple of years.

The 'missing young talent' will affect all clubs equally.

Also this draft is ment to be very strong up till pick 20.He will be 29 next year so that will put clubs off even more.

So what are you saying?
That in the current market he is not worth what the Swans and he wanted?
Quoting his age re-iterates my point.
Thanks.

His only hope is to take the next step with teh Swans next season and be more highly desired by other clubs.
Either that or he will play as he did this year, the Swans will ask for maybe a second round selection and he drops 100K off his asking price.
Then maybe he'll get what he wants.

[connolly]

How do you kow that O'Keefe's manager has treated him unfairly, that Maxfield is a straight shooter and the RO'K overrated himself? Clearly that is your opinion, but I maintain that the fact that O'Keefe felt he needed a manager to obtain his true worth (and engineer a move back to Melboure if that really is an issue at all) then perhaps your opinion is not shared by all.

ROK duck arse's "manager" has broken every rule in negotiations. They have dragged on an eternity, duck arse has lost control of his destiny and has been held up to ridicule by many of the supporters who remember his emerging career fumbles, dropped sitters and mediocre performances for a loyal club that mentored, trained and stuck with him. Fair dinkum next season kiddies wearing the red and white will be poking their tongues out, Kenny Williams will be reserved and Princess Mary will be devastated. In fact duck arse's negotiations are right up there with the worst deals in history:

1. Leadbelly's recording contract
2. Pilsudski's German - Polish Non-Aggression Pact in 1934
3. Little Billy Kelty's deal with the banks to set up private compulsory
superannuation.

He has a lot to thank the rat with a gold tooth that has been spruiking for him. Duck arse = shot duck.

[swantastic]

Cashed up Vic clubs weren't interested in him due to 2 reasons.
1) they wouldn't pay his asking price.
2) They wouldn't cough up a first round selection.

He IS NOT worth what he asked.
This is very clearly evident.
This is why he didn't get traded and is in limbo.



The 'missing young talent' will affect all clubs equally.



So what are you saying?
That in the current market he is not worth what the Swans and he wanted?
Quoting his age re-iterates my point.
Thanks.

His only hope is to take the next step with teh Swans next season and be more highly desired by other clubs.
Either that or he will play as he did this year, the Swans will ask for maybe a second round selection and he drops 100K off his asking price.
Then maybe he'll get what he wants.

Do i have to spell it out again,ROK is worth a 1st rnd pick plain and simple.Clubs just didnt want to let their 1st pick go because of GC.If there was no GC coming into the competition then ROK would have gawn for a 1st rounder no problems.
Quoting his age doesnt reiterate your point at all it just proves his worth will go down with age not up.

He IS NOT worth what he asked.
This is very clearly evident.
This is why he didn't get traded and is in limbo

May be he his maybe he isnt.I'll say it again it wasnt the price only that stopped the trade but the GC venture that scared the other teams off.