by Macca19 » Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:42 pm
If a drafted player hasnt been on an AFL senior or rookie list before, then they get given a minimum 2 year contract. Its part of the bargaining agreement. Like any player - the clubs can choose to end their contract whenever they like, but the clubs have to pay that players salary in the salary cap next year. I think Obst would have been on $42k next year, so thats $42k used in Adelaides salary cap next year on a player thats not on their list.
Its a pretty rare thing. First year players getting delisted doesnt happen too often as most clubs fulfill their 2 year contract to see how they develop first, plus also to have that salary cap space used on a player that can play. Obst, Stribling (Freo), Fraser (Port), Kirey (Crows) and Forsyth (Brisbane) are the only players I can remember off the top of my head who got delisted at the end of their first season.
Its why clubs like Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn were laughed at for giving players very long term contracts that were heavily backloaded which then backfired in their face. Nick Holland got given $800k last year and only played 3 games. Mercuri was getting similar money because of a 5 year deal which backfired....ditto Kouta who got something crazy like 1.2 Millon one year. They couldnt delist Holland or Mercuri as they were on ridiculous money that they had to pay either way.