Clubs don’t think players are a risk when they sign them to long-term deals. But then it happens. Not always, but it happens, as Melbourne well knows.

The biggest risk with Kysaiah Pickett was not keeping him, so the aggressive overtures from Perth needed to be resisted. Still, the extra seven years taking him through until the end of 2034 at a cost of $12 million would make any club twitchy.

Kysaiah Pickett is vital to Melbourne’s future.Credit: AFL Photos

It requires a look at recent history. Christian Petracca would have been the most bankable talent in footy when, in 2021, he re-did a contract taking him through until the end of 2029 on more than $1 million a year, and reportedly peaking at $1.7 million. A four-time All-Australian, a Norm Smith Medal winner and a player so wholesome he had his own cooking show, there were Toyotas less reliable than him. His only edginess came when he added a little fresh chilli to his puttanesca.

Petracca was no risk. No flight risk, no talent risk and no risk of the club falling out of love with him or vice versa. And then, he was. The reasons Petracca became at risk of leaving were as much about how the club had changed as how he had, but the relationship did change.

Petracca last year was frustrated to the point of wanting a trade. It didn’t happen because Melbourne refused to entertain the idea. So in that sense, the long-term deal saved Melbourne because they kept agency in the discussions.

In his midfield partner Clayton Oliver’s case, the long-term contract was the reason they had to keep........

© WA Today