Ryan Daniels: Don Pyke, Kieren Jack and Chad Warner playing golf could be nothing, but it’s probably something

On a beautiful, sunny Perth Sunday in late November, three old workmates went for a round of golf. No doubt laughing about old times, war stories, catching up on life. No big deal. Nothing to see here. Except it kind of could be a huge deal. Don Pyke, Kieren Jack and Chad Warner were the three old workmates. Pyke of course is the West Coast Eagles chief executive. Jack is the Eagles’ head of strategy and innovation — a role which in its own title is shrouded with mystery. I imagine it’s akin to Red from Shawshank — a man known to locate certain things from time to time. Warner is a Sydney Swans superstar, one who’s out of contract in 12 months. Three AFL champions having a hit. In a surprise to no one (except them), they were spotted on the links. Like some kind of Monty Python bit — “we are three wise men.” “Well, what are you doing creeping around a cow shed at two o’clock in the morning? That doesn’t sound very wise to me.” Guys, this is Perth. If an AFL player gets a cup of coffee people get excited. Chad Warner playing golf with the Eagles CEO and head of strategy and innovation isn’t going to go unnoticed. Maybe Don, Kieren and Chad forgot they weren’t in Sydney anymore, a place where an AFL player could go to the bathroom on the steps of the Opera House, and no one would blink. At least put a fake moustache on or something. It might mean nothing. Pyke and Jack are both mentors of sorts for Chad, so a catch-up while he’s in Perth makes sense. But, let’s not pretend the Eagles pair wouldn’t love to make this a weekly thing, to join the local club as a trio, get matching polo shirts with ‘best bros 4eva’ embroided on the lapel. They want Chad. Everyone does. He’s a star. West Coast have made it very clear privately — and publicly — that he’s in their sights. In June this year we sat down for an interview, and Pyke didn’t shirk the contest. “Obviously I’ve been involved with Chad and coached around Chad and his development,” he said. “He’s a player we’d be interested in, of course.” Well, yeah, duh. Former Geelong star-turned-commentator Cam Mooney hated the BFF Golf Day. “I’m sorry, I think it looks really bad. I’m a little bit filthy if I’m Chad’s teammate,” he said on SEN Breakfast. “People will come at me and say they’re mates, and they can do that, but Don Pyke is the CEO of a club that’s basically opening the door for you. “No. Sorry. It’s a bad look. I wouldn’t be happy if I was Chad’s teammate if he was over there playing golf with Don Pyke.” Cam, if you think Patrick Dangerfield’s or Jeremy Cameron’s arrivals at the Cattery were as pure as a newborn kitten, I’ve got bad news for you. Clayton Oliver’s recent visit to Geelong wasn’t to check out the botanical gardens. This stuff happens all the time. Just this year, Sam Mitchell flew to Perth — during the season — to meet with Tom Barrass, who’s now a Hokball convert. Clubs need to plan months, even years, in advance for these types of raids. The more expensive the player, the earlier a plan like this needs to be formulated. Draft picks must be stockpiled, money too. You can’t wait for Chad Warner to come out of contract, see if you’ve got 1.4 million under the couch cushion, then give him a buzz. The ship will have sailed into Sydney – or Freo — harbour by then. We may wish the system was more virtuous, more loyal, but in reality it’s an arms race, and the AFL is big business. Unlike Mooney’s cohort, the players of this generation aren’t as sensitive with this stuff. They want teammates to stay, to help them win, but most of the time they want them to be happy, get paid, and understand this stuff is all swings and roundabouts. Mooney had a shot for Pyke also. “Even for ‘Pykey’ to do that. It’s terrible, it looks terrible, and I would be p..sed off if I was his teammate.” Maybe a little more discretion was needed, but I can tell you, if Don Pyke wasn’t playing golf, having coffee, a beer, hell a game of tiddlywinks with potential recruits, he wouldn’t be doing his job. If you’re an Eagles fan, you’re pumped about this. It’s aggressive, it’s proactive, it’s a little daring. And don’t for a second think the Dockers aren’t putting their own work in with Chad, like they did with Luke Jackson and Shai Bolton. Anyone who’s spent five minutes with Chad Warner knows he’s a laidback, knockabout lad who just loves footy and family. Wherever he is in 2026, he’ll be paid an obscene amount of money, he’ll play great footy, and he’ll probably be very happy. A round of golf doesn’t mean he’ll be a West Coast Eagle. A dinner at Crown doesn’t mean he’ll be a Docker. But if you don’t have a swing, you’ll be playing with a little handicap and unlike golf, that’s not a good thing in footy.