/ live up to his potential

Yeah, he's not really hiding his intentions is he. A shame for Adelaide and the NBL but what can you do? Would also be a shame to see him digging holes for 8 hours a day and not playing basketball if it came to that :)

I meant a shame for the 36ers, not so much Adelaide the city.

If he'd never go to the AFL why would he test the waters and train?

Seems to me like if he goes and isn't up to it he can always say "I wasn't interested" but if they say "Mate here's $600k over 3 years come over" his interest would all of a sudden be sparked.

How much would he be on at Adelaide?

Firstly, as an untested player, he wouldn't reach a six figure salary in the AFL, even if it was outside the cap, and even if it was Essendon.
Overall though, good luck to him...….but wouldn't it be better if he discussed this post season? I'd like to think he was currently 100% focussed on winning a championship at the moment, and even if this was an off the cuff interview (or 2), it's kind of bad timing.

Luxford is on a Rookie contract worth $85k per year and thats not including match payments.

Creek is an established player probably already earning near that from the 6ers, he could easily get $200k, the average this year for AFL players is $270k.

Not rare, but not a good sign when you have holes in your ball game. Does show signs of wavering at the very least. If you are not considering a switch why waste your development time?

This is true, and it shows interest otherwise they wouldn't bother.

Just tell Creek to give their sports scientists and doctors a wide berth...

For the record, Hunt had junior AFL experience, it was Folau who had never played before, and probably a big reason why he's no longer there and Hunt is.

Sounds like ,in his eyes,should be no.1 draft pick in the afl?Is his contract up soon? Sounds like someones shopping?

Comparing what Creek might earn with what Karmichael Hunt was offered shows a lack of understanding of the ramifications of Hunt's decision to sign with GC.

the number 1 AFL draft pick isnt paid triple figures on his initial contract. I can't imagine creek would be paid that much more than a proven footballer.

More likely is he is paid 80k, and offered big bonuses for games played and votes polled.

Hunt might have gone to Auskick, but he effectively had no background in the game. In his first season at GC playing in the VFL he was generally lost out on the field.

playing a few games in highschool means nothing.

Ordinarily I would agree that creek would be on base wage, but i think for Essendon to lure him away they would have to pay him more than he's getting in the NBL so if it happens look for him to get around the 80 - 100k mark a year on a 2 year deal.

I used to like Creek.

Thought he was really down to earth and a good sportsman.

But seems like he has become extremely arrogant/big-headed as of late.

Is this a scare tactic? (In hope that the 36ers will offer him a much bigger contract + starting position).

Then again, based on game time this year, it doesn't seem as though the 36ers will be too fussed if he goes.

Just seems like a guy who isn't willing to pay his dues

Someone tell him about Abercrombie, who had to ride the pine at WSU/Breakers early on. Now the guy earns like $220k - $230k to play ball for a living. Not too bad if you ask me.

I am a first year lawyer earning about $38k.
Have to start somewhere. Creek is acting like he is a vet who is entitled to all this.

lol to those claiming he will earn 200grand.

would be put on a rookie contract ( under the rookie from another code scheme ) last i knew the afl minimum rookie salary was $35000 a season. he might be able to negotiate a bit above that but doubt it would be much higher. would also take him a minimum two seasons before he could even get off the rookie list and onto the main list at absolute best. if everything went well maybe he could demand a $200000+ wage in his 3rd contract , by which stage he would be what? 27? 28? ruckmen finish up at 30 more often than not are are on their last legs playing one year contracts at that stage bar the superstar one in a million freaks.

so if everything went perfectly well ie he adapts well , the club has open spots to play him and give him a chance , he doesnt get any injuries etc he could get two good prime contracts maybe earning $700000- $850000.



to be honest i would rate his chance of becoming a decent level euro import better than him becoming an afl main list player on $200000+. and he would earn plenty more then $8000000 over his euro career too.


i reckon its more likely creek is going to train with essendon for fitness and conditioning reasons then him making the switch. he can go away and do the afl training and maybe they offer him a contract maybe they don't but he will likely be fitter for the off-season work and its a no lose situation for him. he can assess what he wants to do and maybe come back to ball fitter than ever.

their is a difference between knowing what to do on a high school football field and knowing what to do in an afl environment and on an afl football field

damn isaac i wish we could edit our posts. i meant $800000 not 8mil and there not their.

I honestly doubt Mitch will ever do more than train with an AFL club. Ok sure, I don't know what goes on in his mind, but I think its just his way of changing his training routine every now and then. And if one article I've read in the past week is anything to go by, he claims he is really only being polite by listening to their offers. After all, they are doing him a favour by letting him train with them so why shouldn't he at least listen to what they might have to offer.

As far as I know he still has aspirations of becoming a Boomer. He won't be able to do that by switching to the AFL. In fact, playing in the AFL means there isn't much chance of doing anything other than representing a club side. There is no State of Origin any more as clubs are selfish about protecting their players, and as for playing for Australia.....I don't count the International Rules against Ireland as that isn't even Aussie rules, its a hybrid of our game and Gaelic Football.

And seriously, within a few years if he continues developing there is every chance he could earn more money by playing basketball in Europe than he could earn playing footy in the AFL.

He is a kid from country Victoria, he has no obligations in bis contract to say he cant train with another code, maybe 6ers shouldve put that in, but he is doing nothing wrong by training with the Bombers! Some fans expect too much from these guys, let the kid be, if he makes it great call and set financially for life. If he crashes, then nothing lost but maybe a itch scratched. Good luck Creeky.

If this is what he wants then he should go for it. Even if he only stuck with footy a few years he would still only be 25/26 with plenty of time left for a basketball career

didn't wanna go to college, asked marty clake to sign him, or he'd go to afl draft , and all teams wouldda wanted him..underplayed here..whether it's weigh frye teys clarke or wright...sure would be itchy with all that time on the pine

Im not even sure Creek is the Mitch with the most potential in the NBL.

Thinking that award might go to Mitch Norton.

Perhaps there is more to this than just a football or basketball choice?

The chance to immerse himself during the NBL off season in an environment that will expose him to cutting edge personal training and sports science practices is a great opportunity for anyone with aspirations of being a personal trainer.

He had already tweeted that he won't be playing AFL....and that you're all haters.

As we all know, basketball/football careers can have very limited windows of opportunity for some.

"paul, Hunt played some games of aussie rules footy for his high school team. You're probably thinking of Folau who had no background in the game."

No, I'm thinking of Hunt, I played against him in his first year. It's a credit to him how far he has come, because he was completely lost in 2010.

Creeky is one of those athletes who could pick up a ball or racquet and be good at any sport. (except maybe hammer throw)

I agree with Big Ads, I think he might just like be around a professional environment instead of the NBL farce (no offence to 36ers, just offence to the NBL). And it would be nice to be valued by a team (offence to 36ers for not playing him).

That's absolute crap^

The AFL has the best athletes in the world and many sporting leagues/organisations around the world are coming to the AFL for advice in how to improve their athletes.

Reminded me a little of Crows player Taylor Walker in the way that he moved preseason training."Taylor Walker comes from Texas." I heard somebody say.