Does anyone at all think Hawthorn talent Josh Weddle could possibly join Essendon?
The 21-year-old was reportedly offered $10 million over seven years to jump the Hawks ship for Essendon at the end of his contract next season.
But the chances of Weddle actually leaving Hawthorn for the Bombers is extremely slim, with the position of both clubs, the player's connection to the Hawks and the fact a trade would most likely be needed.
However, now that Weddle has been offered that kind of money by a rival club, it will mean his next Hawthorn contract will likely be more money than it would have been.
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From an Essendon perspective, they have thrown a 'Hail Mary' at a player in a situation where they don't really lose.
There is an extremely small chance they could snare the player, but even if they don't, they are forcing their greatest rival to pay more money to retain a player - possibly putting a squeeze on their salary cap.
With the Hawks helping to unsettle Essendon captain Zach Merrett and ultimately fail to get a trade through in the recent player movement period, the Bombers' Weddle play is extracting at least some kind of revenge on Hawthorn.
There were similar moves pulled by clubs prior to the AFL Trade Period - and also over the past couple of seasons as clubs look to gain an edge over the rivals.
The Western Bulldogs - who were desperately after a key defender - put the squeeze on St Kilda after losing out on free agent Jack Silvagni to the Saints.
In response to missing out on the Carlton defender, the Bulldogs threw big money at Saints star Callum Wilkie, hoping to shake him loose or in the worst-case scenario, create a uncomfortable situation for their rival.
In the end, St Kilda were forced to extend Wilkie's contract and add some extra money - which could have ultimately resulted in why they needed to withdraw from signing Leek Aleer.
But their should be no sympathy directed toward the Saints - they have arguably been the club pressing the 'Cold War' strategy more than any other.
Armed with a big warchest to attract players, St Kilda threw money at literally any player it wanted - including ones that were likely unrealistic to join.
That includes Merrett in 2024 and GWS gun Finn Callaghan earlier this year - whose clubs both upped their contract after the Saints interest.
There is no doubt free agency and the salary cap growth has seen clubs adopt these 'Cold War' tactics to get an edge on their rivals.
Expect to see the player contract warfare in clubs to intensify in the coming years with Tasmania Devils' introduction likely to further inflate player contract values.