“Roos free agents are motivated by success, not money,” says the coach.
According to Alastair Clarkson, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Cam Zurhaar of North Melbourne will be weighing the attraction of success at a “big club” over financial gain.
The Kangaroos coach announced that the team would do “everything we can” to hold onto the explosive talent, following in Zurhaar’s footsteps by reportedly delaying contract negotiations.
The 25-year-old Zurhaar can explore free agency at the end of this season, but the 24-year-old midfielder will be a restricted free agent next year.
After yet another disappointing start to the season, Clarkson called on the North Melbourne players, staff, and supporters to “stay the course.” He claimed that “uncontrollables,” such as the departure of free agent Ben McKay and the firing of Tarryn Thomas, had prevented the Roos from rising to the top of the table.
Clarkson stated on Wednesday, “Stay the course and don’t lose belief, particularly the playing group but right through the club.”
We cannot permit external pressure to affect the internal affairs of the club.
Over the past few months, we have encountered some difficulties. Unfortunately, those are simply situations that arise in football, and trying to get off the canvas at the moment only makes them worse.
Citing McKay’s transfer to Essendon, which has kicked off the season with a strong 4-2 record, Clarkson claimed that success, not money, was driving free agents to depart.
He stated, “Free agents are going where they can get some success because there’s so much money in the game right now that they’re not going anywhere for money.”
Since the inception of free agency, the vast majority of players have, in my opinion, been drawn to large clubs.
“We have to work through that; Cam Zurhaar is out this year and LDU is out at the end of next year in terms of free agency.
As with Ben (McKay), we’ll do everything in our power to persuade them to stay, but if they decide to leave, that’s their choice, and they’re free to look into other clubs and opportunities later.
