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Before all this debacle started Leggett spoke to the playing group and all were pretty understanding of the situation.

$20k is a fair amount of money but as Dale Ballantyne has said he's a one point player that's played 67 games, 35 of the last 36 and finished top ten in our best and fairest over the last two seasons from memory. It will cost more than one point to replace him in the team.

In saying all that though the longer this goes on the more chance it has of affecting the preparations for season 2020. Maybe it's time to just move on and but this whole saga behind us. Should make for an interesting game when the Sharks come to Lathlain.

Mr AFL, I don't think this affair is a distraction to pre-season preparations but I do tend to agree that $20k is a fair amount but the points are a concern if we need a replacement.
Having said that we have 2 or 3 young 1 point players who could step up this season. Reagan Clarke is one that Yeo and Masten mentioned on the Podcast who is expected to slot straight into the 22.
I believe that the club has done the right thing in holding firm on Leggett and making a statement on contracted players.
At the end of the day I do not believe that we will miss him. I think that we have that covered.

Only time will tell whether we focussed to much on trying to keep him. This has been going on since early November so it’s already been three months.

By putting so much attention into one individual that doesn’t really want to be there have we not been as focused on other players that could have been potential recruits.

Not sure we are trying to keep him.
More reminding him and EF that he has a contract.
At the end of the day he won't play for PFC in 2020.
Nor would the players want him too (IMHO).

We haven't needed to do anything.
We said you're not going to get a clearance under any circumstances.
The EF boys are the ones that have been beating it up.

Demons Forever wrote: Not sure we are trying to keep him.
More reminding him and EF that he has a contract.
At the end of the day he won't play for PFC in 2020.
Nor would the players want him too (IMHO).

Well if we’re not trying to keep him, contracted or not, then all the back and forth over the last three months has been for what? Just making a point that Perth isn’t a team to be screwed over with when it comes to player transfers.

Now you're getting it.

Stand the Test wrote: Come on Mr AFL, what would you expect. If a contracted player wants to go you roll out the red carpet??

No but as DF has alluded to we may not be trying to keep a hold of him. If that’s the case why would we drag this out for three months. Take the $20k and move on. Doesn’t make much sense to not really want a player if that’s the case but play hard ball just because he has a year left on a contract.

Surely Perth have been trying to get him back.

You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I think we'd be up in arms if we found out the club had a "don't hold players/coaches to contracts" policy. Once you decide that its ok for one player you have to say its ok for all. That's what a policy is. The club is right to hold a player to his contract, no matter the $ on offer. If you don't you're giving a signal that the club can be bought.
There is also claims from EF that the contract is "illegal", which is another issue. I think the club is right to force this to arbitration and it's also right to argue this is about policy and procedure and not 1 particular player and how much is on offer for him. If it's true that the club no longer wants this player it's beside the point.