Pies' $6m bid for Brown riles Lions
By Caroline Wilson
May 6, 2005
The Brisbane Lions will ask the AFL to review its rules regarding off-field payments to players following the revelation that Collingwood guaranteed Jonathan Brown $6 million over five years.
The Lions, still seething at the Magpies' multimillion-dollar attempt to entice their star player to Melbourne through media inducements, believe non-Victorian clubs risk losing champions through big-money offers linked to broadcasting outlets such as Channel Nine.
On Tuesday, Brown committed himself to Brisbane until 2008 following revelations in The Age that Magpies president Eddie McGuire and chief executive Greg Swann had flown to Sydney last Friday in a last-ditch attempt to woo him.
After the 23-year-old centre half-forward, who enthralled the competition with his stunning eight-goal return against Essendon, and his advisory team agreed to an in-principle deal with the Lions this week, the club was told that the Collingwood offer involved $700,000 a year until 2010, along with the promise of $500,000 a year in off-field money - largely from television performances.
Brown has instead accepted a three-year deal with Brisbane, estimated at a total $1.9 million.
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Sydney chairman Graeme Downie said last night: "My problem with the AFL is that it allows clubs to approach players while they are still contracted to other clubs. I'm not saying Collingwood broke the rules, I'm saying I don't like the rules."
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said he was unaware of the details of the Collingwood offer, adding he had not yet received any official complaint from Brisbane. Said Collingwood CEO Swann: "We do not comment on contracts regarding any players, be it our own or other clubs."
While Brisbane had spoken to Brown of the emotional and financial significance of remaining a one-club player, McGuire and Swann attempted to persuade Brown's adviser Glen Warry of the post-football opportunities on offer in Melbourne, not to mention those involving such a popular club as the Magpies. Warry is understood to have told Brisbane of the Collingwood offer late on Monday.
What has reportedly fuelled the Lions' anger at Collingwood has been the AFL's recent refusal to allow Brown a $20,000 endorsement deal with a sporting apparel firm.
The Lions believe that Collingwood, which for several years has led the charge against Brisbane's extra salary cap allowance, now boasts even more scope to pay big money to footballers through its Channel Nine connection.
The Magpies have also reportedly approached soon to be out-of-contract Saint Nick Dal Santo.
