Latest news with #All-Australian
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Discount Pies: How these old champs are on low contracts
Loading Collingwood greats Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are playing for less than the AFL's average wage for a senior-listed player this year, in what has become a major benefit to the premiership favourites. Pendlebury, 37, and Sidebottom, 34, are contracted for deals in the range of $400,000 in 2025, plus the normal bonuses players can receive for best and fairest finishes and All-Australian selection, according to industry sources familiar with the outline of the super veterans' 2025 deals. Even if either earned best and fairest or All-Australian bonuses, Pendlebury and Sidebottom would still fall short of the $500,771 that is the average for an AFL senior-listed player (not including rookie list players) in 2025. Like Sidebottom, match-winning forward Jamie Elliott, 32, has been in near-career peak form this year – sitting third on the AFL goalkicking table – and is being paid well below his level of performance, relative to the competition. To place Pendlebury's and Sidebottom's deals for this year in perspective, collectively they are paid close to half the amount offered to Carlton's Tom De Koning, by St Kilda, on an annual basis, should the free-agent ruckman take up the Saints' monstrous long-term offer of $1.7 million a year. The Magpies have indicated a wish to retain Pendlebury and Sidebottom, along with Elliott, in 2026. Assuming a reasonable run with injury, Pendlebury (414 games) would break the AFL games record of 432 held by Brent Harvey next year, should he sign on, as now appears likely, for a 21st season. Defender Jeremy Howe, too, is reportedly favoured to be offered a contract. That Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Elliott and Howe have been able to perform at high levels, despite being well into their 30s, has been of benefit to the ladder leaders, who had enough space in their salary cap to acquire Dan Houston from Port Adelaide and Harry Perryman from Greater Western Sydney.
The Age
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
Discount Pies: How these old champs are on low contracts
Loading Collingwood greats Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are playing for less than the AFL's average wage for a senior-listed player this year, in what has become a major benefit to the premiership favourites. Pendlebury, 37, and Sidebottom, 34, are contracted for deals in the range of $400,000 in 2025, plus the normal bonuses players can receive for best and fairest finishes and All-Australian selection, according to industry sources familiar with the outline of the super veterans' 2025 deals. Even if either earned best and fairest or All-Australian bonuses, Pendlebury and Sidebottom would still fall short of the $500,771 that is the average for an AFL senior-listed player (not including rookie list players) in 2025. Like Sidebottom, match-winning forward Jamie Elliott, 32, has been in near-career peak form this year – sitting third on the AFL goalkicking table – and is being paid well below his level of performance, relative to the competition. To place Pendlebury's and Sidebottom's deals for this year in perspective, collectively they are paid close to half the amount offered to Carlton's Tom De Koning, by St Kilda, on an annual basis, should the free-agent ruckman take up the Saints' monstrous long-term offer of $1.7 million a year. The Magpies have indicated a wish to retain Pendlebury and Sidebottom, along with Elliott, in 2026. Assuming a reasonable run with injury, Pendlebury (414 games) would break the AFL games record of 432 held by Brent Harvey next year, should he sign on, as now appears likely, for a 21st season. Defender Jeremy Howe, too, is reportedly favoured to be offered a contract. That Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Elliott and Howe have been able to perform at high levels, despite being well into their 30s, has been of benefit to the ladder leaders, who had enough space in their salary cap to acquire Dan Houston from Port Adelaide and Harry Perryman from Greater Western Sydney.
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
AFL 2025; Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to start contract talks
There's no anxiety for Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who won't rush to sign a new contract but is ready to get 'rolling' on talks that will ramp up next week after a series of early season interruptions. One of the best players in the AFL, if not the best, Bontempelli, 29, is off contract in October and yet to ink his next deal despite the season reaching its halfway mark. Bontempelli's last contract was a four-year deal signed in 2021, but amid a changed landscape of longer contracts taking player commitments beyond 2030 for increased money, the six-time All-Australian remains unfazed by the lack of movement. Having endured a pre-season calf injury that delayed his entry to 2025 until round 7, Bontempelli put other matters, including his off-season engagement, ahead of contract talks. But now he's ready to get going and seal his future, which should come as welcome relief to Bulldogs fans. 'It's going well – obviously, it's getting to the point now where things will start to open up,' Bontempelli said. 'There was a lot going on in my life early on in the season and hence why – probably no different to other years – I took my time a little bit with it. 'But those conversations are definitely starting to take place, pretty much as of next week, so the ball can well and truly get rolling with that.' The six-time best and fairest winner also played a straight bat when asked about reports that suggested Collingwood would launch an audacious bid to lure him to the Magpies. 'That information never really came to me at all, to be honest,' Bontempelli said. Things are stabilising at the Bulldogs with the return of troubled teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to the club, and training this week, which excited the skipper who was reluctant to talk about a playing return. 'Ultimately, I want him to just enjoy being back in the environment,' he said. 'Hopefully, getting to the stage in the not-too-distant future where he can look at playing again.' Originally published as Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to open contract talks next week
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Gutted': Eagles great McGovern medically retires
A "gutted" Jeremy McGovern will leave the AFL as a West Coast great after being forced into premature retirement through concussion. McGovern announced his 197-game career was over on Friday, with the decision made for the key defender by the AFL's concussion panel. The 2018 premiership player suffered a head knock in the Eagles' round-eight fixture against Melbourne and was referred to the panel after failing to recover following the mandatory 12-day period. Lauded as the intercept king, the 33-year-old etched himself into West Coast history with his famous mark in their 2018 grand final win. Overcoming internal bleeding in the lead-up to the eventual five-point victory, McGovern's quality shone through when he ditched his man - Collingwood star Jordan De Goey - to intercept Adam Treloar's kick inside-50. The move kickstarted the chain that ended in Dom Sheed's match-winning goal. He finished that season with 77 intercept marks, the most in 2018. "It's been an absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years and it's something that I will forever be grateful for," McGovern said in a club statement. "As much as this isn't the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision. "I'm gutted I don't get to pull the jumper on and run out one more time, but sometimes this is the way the game goes." McGovern arrived at the Eagles from North Albany with pick No.44 in the 2010 rookie draft. But it wasn't until mid-way through the 2014 season, at age 22, that McGovern earned his AFL debut under former coach Adam Simpson. The lynchpin of the Eagles defence, McGovern established himself in 2015 and earned four-straight All-Australian nods from 2016 to 2019. He ends his career as the club's reigning John Worsfold medallist and as a five-time All-Australian, having collected another blazer in 2024. "To the club, I can't explain how much you have given me over my time here, and I can't thank you enough for drafting a fat kid from Albany and giving him a crack," McGovern said. "I've always loved the game and winning a premiership is every kid's dream, but the lifelong friendships and relationships you build through footy mean more to me than anything. "I will forever be indebted to West Coast, and I will always bleed blue and gold." McGovern's exit follows that of former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards, who stepped away from the game last October to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions. Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O'Driscoll also had their careers cut short in 2024 because of concussion. A "gutted" Jeremy McGovern will leave the AFL as a West Coast great after being forced into premature retirement through concussion. McGovern announced his 197-game career was over on Friday, with the decision made for the key defender by the AFL's concussion panel. The 2018 premiership player suffered a head knock in the Eagles' round-eight fixture against Melbourne and was referred to the panel after failing to recover following the mandatory 12-day period. Lauded as the intercept king, the 33-year-old etched himself into West Coast history with his famous mark in their 2018 grand final win. Overcoming internal bleeding in the lead-up to the eventual five-point victory, McGovern's quality shone through when he ditched his man - Collingwood star Jordan De Goey - to intercept Adam Treloar's kick inside-50. The move kickstarted the chain that ended in Dom Sheed's match-winning goal. He finished that season with 77 intercept marks, the most in 2018. "It's been an absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years and it's something that I will forever be grateful for," McGovern said in a club statement. "As much as this isn't the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision. "I'm gutted I don't get to pull the jumper on and run out one more time, but sometimes this is the way the game goes." McGovern arrived at the Eagles from North Albany with pick No.44 in the 2010 rookie draft. But it wasn't until mid-way through the 2014 season, at age 22, that McGovern earned his AFL debut under former coach Adam Simpson. The lynchpin of the Eagles defence, McGovern established himself in 2015 and earned four-straight All-Australian nods from 2016 to 2019. He ends his career as the club's reigning John Worsfold medallist and as a five-time All-Australian, having collected another blazer in 2024. "To the club, I can't explain how much you have given me over my time here, and I can't thank you enough for drafting a fat kid from Albany and giving him a crack," McGovern said. "I've always loved the game and winning a premiership is every kid's dream, but the lifelong friendships and relationships you build through footy mean more to me than anything. "I will forever be indebted to West Coast, and I will always bleed blue and gold." McGovern's exit follows that of former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards, who stepped away from the game last October to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions. Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O'Driscoll also had their careers cut short in 2024 because of concussion. A "gutted" Jeremy McGovern will leave the AFL as a West Coast great after being forced into premature retirement through concussion. McGovern announced his 197-game career was over on Friday, with the decision made for the key defender by the AFL's concussion panel. The 2018 premiership player suffered a head knock in the Eagles' round-eight fixture against Melbourne and was referred to the panel after failing to recover following the mandatory 12-day period. Lauded as the intercept king, the 33-year-old etched himself into West Coast history with his famous mark in their 2018 grand final win. Overcoming internal bleeding in the lead-up to the eventual five-point victory, McGovern's quality shone through when he ditched his man - Collingwood star Jordan De Goey - to intercept Adam Treloar's kick inside-50. The move kickstarted the chain that ended in Dom Sheed's match-winning goal. He finished that season with 77 intercept marks, the most in 2018. "It's been an absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years and it's something that I will forever be grateful for," McGovern said in a club statement. "As much as this isn't the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision. "I'm gutted I don't get to pull the jumper on and run out one more time, but sometimes this is the way the game goes." McGovern arrived at the Eagles from North Albany with pick No.44 in the 2010 rookie draft. But it wasn't until mid-way through the 2014 season, at age 22, that McGovern earned his AFL debut under former coach Adam Simpson. The lynchpin of the Eagles defence, McGovern established himself in 2015 and earned four-straight All-Australian nods from 2016 to 2019. He ends his career as the club's reigning John Worsfold medallist and as a five-time All-Australian, having collected another blazer in 2024. "To the club, I can't explain how much you have given me over my time here, and I can't thank you enough for drafting a fat kid from Albany and giving him a crack," McGovern said. "I've always loved the game and winning a premiership is every kid's dream, but the lifelong friendships and relationships you build through footy mean more to me than anything. "I will forever be indebted to West Coast, and I will always bleed blue and gold." McGovern's exit follows that of former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards, who stepped away from the game last October to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions. Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O'Driscoll also had their careers cut short in 2024 because of concussion.
Sky News AU
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
AFL: West Coast Eagles star Jeremy McGovern forced into medical retirement
West Coast Eagles star and five-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern says he's 'gutted' but respects the decision of the AFL's concussion panel that ruled he should retire on medical grounds. The decision for McGovern, 33, to step away and end his 197-game career was made after 'extensive consultation' with his family, club leaders and medical staff. But ultimately the recommendation from the AFL's concussion panel was something the superstar defender couldn't ignore. McGovern has only played six games this season and none since round 9 when he suffered concussion after an incident against Melbourne. 'It's been an absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years and it's something that I will forever be grateful for,' McGovern said. 'As much as this isn't the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision. 'I'm gutted I don't get to pull the jumper on and run out one more time, but sometimes this is the way the game goes, and I am forever grateful to the West Coast supporters who have also shown me love and respect. 'I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with my career over the journey. 'My family – Mum and Dad, my brother Mitch, my wife Madi and my three kids Hudson, Marlee and Lewie – have been my biggest supporters as well as my friends who have been amazing through my whole time in the AFL. 'To the club, I can't explain how much you have given me over my time here and I can't thank you enough for drafting a fat kid from Albany and giving him a crack. 'I've always loved the game and winning a premiership is every kid's dream, but the lifelong friendships and relationships you build through footy mean more to me than anything. 'I will forever be indebted to West Coast and I will always bleed blue and gold.' The McGovern decision comes as Essendon youngster Nik Cox awaits his own findings from the concussion panel that in recent times has sent Collingwood premiership winner Nathan Murphy and Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw into early retirement. McGovern earnt the first of his five All-Australian blazers in 2015 and famously played in the 2018 grand final win against Collingwood despite having series internal injuries. He helped the Eagles win the game when he intercepted an Adam Treloar kick inside 50 that started the chain of possession that ended in Dom Sheed's matchwinning goal. West Coast football boss Gavin Bell said McGovern was 'exactly the type of player' teammates loved to play with. 'Even to overcome the injury setbacks he has battled in recent years to bounce back and become our club champion for the first time last year showed his commitment to getting the best out of himself,' he said. ''Gov' was exactly the type of player you would love to play with because he was tough and courageous, wanted to win, but also off the field he cared about his mates and looked after others.' Originally published as West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern forced into sudden retirement due to ongoing concussion issues
