Scott Watters has confirmed the St Kilda Football Club has made an offer to Brendon Goddard to extend his contract beyond this year, stating the club’s desire to keep the utility player for many seasons to come.
Watters also moved to dispel claims that the Saints salary would prevent the club from retaining their star players.
“What I think is really important for our members and supporters to know is we have put a contract in front of Brendon and we certainly want him staying at this footy club,” Watters said.
“We’re comfortable with what we’ve put in front of Brendon and the way that’s been managed to this point.”
“Free agency is a reality. That was basically brought in by the players and the AFL and we’re really comfortable with free agency.”
“Do we want Brendon here? Absolutely. But Brendon has a right through that agreement to test the market. That’s his right. That’s his choice.”
The senior coach also put to bed claims that the Saints are under salary cap pressures.
“There’s a lot of speculation that swirls around this football club about our TPP and salary cap pressure.”
“Like most clubs that have come out of a couple of Grand Finals, and many clubs will be in the same situation, it can be tight and it needs to be managed. So twelve months ago we needed to have a really strong strategic plan on where our salary cap was at.”
“We are in a very sound salary cap position. And for anyone to think that that would impact or a negative salary cap position would impact on our ability to keep players they would be sadly mistaken and that is an untruth.”
“We are in a very sound position and that needs to go on public record.”
The first year coach also stated that captaincy would not be offered as an incentive for the star midfielder to stay, despite being him being in contention for the elite job next year.
“At no stage would captaincy be offered as cream on the cake for a contract. That would be disrespecting the privilege of being a captain. Captaincy’s earned.”
“To me it shouldn’t be an incentive. I think Brendon has really strong leadership potential. I think he started to show that internally at the club this year so he would be in strong contention for that type of role going forward but it wouldn’t be a gift on top of a contract. Not while I’m here.”
Watters reaffirmed Goddard’s desire to stay at the club, and declared his own wish for the 27-year-old to become the fourth player in St Kilda’s history to play over 300 games.
“I know Brendon wants to stay at St Kilda Football Club. He’s very committed to wanting to be here. There’s no doubt about that.”
“He also has an opportunity at this footy club. We have three 300 game players at this football club in a 139 years of history. I’d like Brendon to be the fourth.”
“He’s in a tough position to be in as a player. And we’ll support him. We’ll keep dialogue open with his management. But that’s where it sits.”
