Tim Watson believes GWS has paid “irresponsible” money to players who don’t influence games as much as they should.
Giants quartet Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Toby Greene are all on lucrative long-term contracts that are taking up considerably space in the club’s salary cap.
It may lead to several players leaving the club this off-season.
Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Bobby Hill and Tanner Bruhn have all been mentioned in trade circles and could depart at the end of the season.
speaking on SEN BreakfastWatson and co-host Garry Lyon touched on Whitfield’s seven-year deal with the Giants which runs through to the end of 2027.
The midfielder’s contract is worth around $1 million a season.
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Watson: “As good as he is, it is irresponsible to be paying guys that play certain positions that sort of money.”
Lyon: “Are you saying Whitfield’s not worth that sort of money?”
Watson: “Let’s not necessarily talk about Whitfield, but let’s talk about specifically a position someone plays, and if you’re an outside non-influencing-result-type player, not a needle-moving-type player, then you shouldn’t be paid that sort of money.
“That is big, big money in the AFL.”
SEN’s Sam Edmund reported on Monday that Whitfield can’t be ruled out as a trade option.
“There are some at the club who would entertain the prospect, and there have been informal discussions around this player,” Edmund said further on Tuesday.
“Nothing formally at list management level.
“Is it less likely to happen? Ofcourse. But the club are aware that it needs to reset its direction.
“To do that, they might need to make some pretty big decisions.”
Whitfield, an All-Australian and dual best and fairest winner, has played 182 games for GWS.
The 28-year-old is averaging 22.4 disposals per game in 2022.
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