Devastated Western Bulldog Stewart Crameri could have a massive compensation claim against Essendon in the wake of his club's surprise premiership assault.
Crameri and his legal team have put his compensation claim on hold; with the suspended forward facing the prospect of missing out on a premiership medallion if the Western Bulldogs beat Sydney on Saturday, which would drastically impact the amount he is paid, possibly by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If Crameri's teammates complete the fairytale, Fairfax Media understands his claim against Essendon over the 2012 supplements saga will be completely renegotiated.
Not only would Crameri miss out on the prizemoney that comes with being a premiership player, but he would also lose the opportunity of becoming a Bulldogs immortal; part of a group that won the club's second flag, breaking a drought that has lasted since 1954.
It's understood the fact that the Bulldogs have made the grand final has increased Crameri's compensation claim dramatically, let alone if they win it.
Crameri's legal team is likely to argue that he should be compensated for a loss of income as well as for emotional stress.
Players receive about $30,000 in prizemoney for winning a premiership.
There are several factors that are likely to increase the former Bomber's financial compensation, to be paid by Essendon's insurer.
With the team that Crameri is unable to play for having so much on-field success, his future contracts would be affected.
Once he retires, potential future employment in the media and/or paid speaking engagements will certainly be impacted by whether he was a premiership player or not.
And finally, the heartache and anger he has felt throughout the season and especially the past few weeks may see him compensated for emotional trauma and stress.
While discussions with Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell and players' legal teams have been positive so far, the players' lawyers hope the Bombers will come to the party with significantly more money for special circumstances, like Crameri's.
Variables, such as the degree of the Western Bulldogs' success and whether Jobe Watson loses his 2012 Brownlow Medal, are reasons why the compensation claims have dragged on for so long.
If compensation was quantified for individual players when the original decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport was handed down, the figures would be very different to what they are now.
The events of Saturday proved a stern reminder of just how difficult the past four years have been for the banned present and former Essendon players, particularly for Crameri.
Ten minutes after the final siren on Saturday evening Crameri called a close friend, feeling the ultimate collision of mixed emotions - on one hand elation for his teammates and his club and, on the other, devastation.
