A salary cap crisis looms at Adelaide with the Crows asking players to take pay cuts.
SEN Inside Football understands that in the wake of monster deals for Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts, on top of handsome packages to satisfy Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch, Sam Jacobs, Daniel Talia and others, the Crows, who’ve finished no higher than sixth in each of the past four seasons, are at their salary cap limit.
Of priority is re-signing young-guns Mitch McGovern and Jake Lever, who are both out of contract at seasons end. It’s very likely that unless teammates come to the party, one or both will not be at the club in 2018.
McGovern has the lure of returning to play with his brother Jeremy at West Coast, while Lever played his TAC Cup footy with the Calder Cannons.
Given the current state of progress under Don Pyke, it would be a monumental blow to lose to emerging players on the cusp of stardom.
Lever, who is reportedly happy to remain at the Crows, recently put contract talks on hold as he awaits the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be finalised. Reports suggest the salary cap could increase by as much as 20 percent.
It was reported in February that McGovern, who has been an eye-catcher in the opening two rounds of the season, was also shying at contract talks as he weighed up his playing future.
The Crows’ salary cap issues forced out youngster Jarryd Lyons last year, who joined Gold Coast on an significantly better deal than the one offered by Adelaide.
Tight purse strings were also said part of the equation that thwarted Bryce Gibbs’ attempt to join the club during last year’s trade period.
UPDATE: The Adelaide Crows have provided a statement in relation to the above article.
"The Adelaide Football Club rejects a media report regarding the current state of its salary cap. It's factually incorrect and baseless in every regard."