Yep, let’s take a step back and look at it.
Richmond hasn’t bothered hiding it’s disappointment in both cases.
For Marbs, it looks like talks around family, opportunity, Gold Coast and lifestyle have been developing for a while. The trade seems blessed, no bad blood at all.
But the CCJ case is different. The club’s response is less the public sentiment of “disappointment” but more frustration.
To me, clearly we planned to lose one - Marbs, sadly but with our blessing.
CCJ was always part of future plans, with an offer tabled commensurate with our list structure and profile, along with a reminder that he has received gold-tier support from the club through a very difficult situation.
Perhaps the most cutting truth is that CCJ would know full well his chances of playing every game at Richmond in 2023 are pretty damn high. This talk of “opportunity” only applies to the unlikely scenario that all of Lynch, Riewoldt, Nankervis and Soldo play every game in 2022.
Similarly, the “opportunity” angle melts under the glare of his chosen club’s lack of success and resources. CCJ may indeed play regular football at NMFC, but if his definition of “opportunity” includes playing in winning finals, he will need to brace for disappointment.
So it comes down to immediate, stark-naked financial return, as it so often does for certain players. Despite everything CCJ has been given at Punt Road, despite the very real allure of future silverware and the associated promotional income that comes with it, despite the demonstrated assurances of a premiership club, the biggest and most stable club in the land, that he is a worthy and required player, Callum instructs his management to engage with NMFC for the instant gratification of *ok* dollars at a poorly-resourced, unsuccessful club with limited prospects. Again - consider the opportunity cost of lost endorsements as a successful Richmond player.
Nah. CCJ going to Arden St may be a football loss but a cultural gain.
And culture wins flags.