ADELAIDE coach Neil Craig says the club will appeal to the loyalty of its uncontracted stars in a bid to keep them from the clutches of the cashed-up new Gold Coast club.
 
The Crows have up to 15 players coming out of contract at season’s end, including mainstays Nathan Bock, Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield, Ben Rutten, Chris Knights, David Mackay and Richard Douglas.
 
Gold Coast is believed to have expressed an interest in Thompson, but reports this week suggest that Bock has emerged as the franchise’s most-wanted Crow.
 
The All-Australian centre half-back has been dogged by injury this season, but is regarded as one of the most important components in Adelaide’s structure.
 
Last year, the Crows headed off a considerable challenge from Gold Coast by re-signing promising Queenslander Kurt Tippett.
 
Craig said Tippett’s decision to stay at West Lakes was a reminder that money isn't the only factor in contract negotiations.
 
“Kurt’s a good case study. He’s been through that exact situation with the Gold Coast and made a decision to stay. That sets a great story and example ... but that’s Kurt Tippett,” Craig said.
 
“It doesn’t mean that everyone should follow suit, but there’s an indication that sometimes the publicity and the hype that it gets from Gold Coast and Western Sydney ... it’s not all about the dollar. People look for other things in their lives as well.
 
“In the end if it just came dollars, we won’t compete with the Gold Coast or Western Sydney - we’re non-competitive. You’ve got to make sure that you’ve got an environment where the players certainly enjoy their footy.”
 
Mackay is believed to be on the verge of signing a new deal with the club, while Dangerfield - despite having put negotiations on hold - has also expressed a desire to stay in Adelaide.
 
Established players Bock, Thompson and Rutten were all born in South Australia, but would be attractive prospects for the developing Gold Coast team.
 
There have also been reports Adelaide’s uncontracted players are holding off on signing new deals until they know how many of the club’s veterans will retire at the end of the season, and, as a consequence, how much money will be freed up in the salary cap.
 
Craig said he expected the contract negotiations to unfold as the season went on.
 
“The sooner we can sign them, the better it will be for them and for us. I know (football operations manager) Phil Harper’s negotiating all that ... hopefully, all the guys that we want to stay choose to stay,” he said.