Yes, I don't know why people keep ignoring this, it is common knowledge. Treloar was not on $900k because that was what he was valued at, he was on $900k because they back ended his contract.
I'd like to see them try to back end another contract "for the good of the club", I suspect they will be told where to go in no uncertain terms.
Unable to actively pursue free agents? More like unable to avoid sanctions for breaching the salary cap.
Part of the issue here is that I suspect every club back ends contracts with the assumption that the salary cap will creep up over time. Trouble is COVID threw everyone a googly and I reckon every club is looking at how they can fit all the players in at the moment. There's going to be some more players on rookie lists for a few years after this.
Collingwood did stuff this up more than most. Although the Treloar deal was at a reasonable rate given the back ending of the payments, paying someone like Cox $500k is just stupid. But, they were less than a kick off winning a flag. We all know how hard that is, so sometimes you take the risk, but you still have to get your figures right.
DS