Brad Sewell.
ONE million dollars a year for NRL star Israel Folau to make the switch to the AFL.I have just one thing to say to the AFL’s newest franchise Greater Western Sydney about its offer.Go for it.If it is for the good of the AFL brand in traditional rugbyleague territory, why not?Gold Coast lured another NRL superstar Karmichael Hunt and look at the publicity it attracted for the game in a rugby league heartland.There are no guarantees Hunt will make the transition, but he has already been value for money.Imagine what Folau would do for Kevin Sheedy’s GWS.There have been negative comments, questioning whether Folau should be getting that sort money while the income of established AFL stars comes up well short.I have no problems. Folau is the one putting his reputation on the line in a sport he knows little about.If he made the switch, what Folau does have on his side is his age.At just 21 years of age, he would have time to give it a real go.And then if it did not work, he would still be young enough to return to the NRL or even make a move to rugby union.While attracting established NRL stars is new to the AFL,luring the best athletes from other sports is not.Basketball has been a prime recruiting ground for AFL clubs, as the Ballarat region knows full well.The longstanding traditional AFL clubs will continue downthis proven path, but I cannot see them bolstering their ranks by recruiting the likes of Hunt and Folau.We certainly need something at Hawthorn to rediscover the spark which took us to a premiership two years ago.I am at a loss as to what has gone wrong.We have had injuries, but I don’t accept this as a reason or excuse for our spiral.It is not going to get any easier either.Hopefully, we can make a new start as of today against the West Coast Eagles on what will be a warm day in Perth.It could have been a completely different story for ushad we got over either Geelong or Western Bulldogs in the second and third rounds.We put in two big efforts and only just fell short.There is no doubt that knocked our confidence aboutand for whatever reason we just haven’t recovered.All we can do is keep working hard and reinforcing what we know can take us back to the top.Even though we’ll be without Buddy Franklin against theEagles, it was great to have him, Jarryd Roughead and Sam Mitchell extend their contracts this week.