Garry Lyon has scoffed at a report that GWS free agent Harry Himmelberg could command as much as $900,000 with his next contract.
The Giants swingman is set to be heavily sought after this spring, with The Age’s Sam McClure reporting that multiple clubs are saying he could be in for the enormous payday.
The likes of Richmond, Sydney, Collingwood and Essendon have been linked with Himmelberg, but Lyon cannot fathom the numbers being thrown around.
“Harry Himmelberg is a $550,000-a-year player. $900,000? In what world is Harry Himmelberg worth $900,000? I know you’ve got to pay to get them out,” the Melbourne great told SEN Breakfast.
“If you’re paying him anywhere over $650,000, then you’re paying way too much.
“I read someone suggest he could be worth $900,000. No, he is not.”
AFL Media journalist Callum Twomey broke down the market for Himmelberg and why the price tag could reach that level.
“I think there’s about 10 clubs that are looking at him, the Giants want to keep him, I think the SA clubs (Crows and Power) would look at him as well,” he said.
“The Giants are ready to up the ante to keep him. Football manager Jason McCartney telling us that they’re prepared to offer him a five-year deal to keep him, which is about standard for these free agents.
“There is a free agency tax that applies to these guys to get them out. Dan McStay last year left Brisbane on a five-year contract worth about $600,000. So there’s extra money for these departing free agents.
“I still think there’s a chance he stays at the Giants. They’re still confident that he stays, but Richmond is linked, the Swans are linked, he’s going to be settling into the backline in the second half of the season so that is all a watch.
“I think for him be ripped out of GWS, it’s going to be between $700,000 and $800,000.”
Lyon added after the last comment: “He should sprint out the door if he gets that”.
Himmelberg has played 11 games for the Giants this season and 138 career games.
He was taken in the same draft as the likes of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Eric Hipwood, all of whom have signed long term deals in the last 12 months.