At the moment every football person is talking about a Free Agency. Basically a free agency is that a player gets the option to walk from a club and he gets to choose what club he would like to go to.
The Chris Judd deal to Carlton was the latest form of Free Agency.
For example back in the early 70′s Barry Davis (Essendon), Doug Wade (Geelong) and John Rantall (South Melbourne) joinied North Melbourne. This meant that North moved from wooden spooner in 1972 to sixth in 1973, and second in 1974. Obviously this rule did not last (10 months).
Everyone has their views on this topic. Brad Hardie said free agency is evil and must be exorcised before it haunts AFL clubs. However, in the same week Leigh Matthews described free agency as inevitable and referred to the reaction of some football industry figures to free agency as bordering on paranoia.
Craig’s POV on Free Agency
Well, despite club warnings & I agree with Eddie McGuire that it will kill teams, it seems one of two things will happen. The AFL will have a 2012 season or we could have a strike.
But, looking at the scenario of all things going ahead as “reported’ in the Herald Sun, free agency should work like this.
Players can nominate their club of choice after 10 years. Anytime prior, that player should run the gauntlet of the clubs.
Using the example of prices from DreamTeam, & I know they’re not factual, this is how it should work.
If Gary Ablett Jnr chose to test the waters, his free agency price should be capped as the average price of the top 5 paid players in his position.
As a midfielder & using the top 5 midfielder ranked players as an example, Ablett can ask for no more than $447,020. Geelong has first option on Ablett, of course.
This will prevent the Gold Coast & West Sydney using their extra TPP as leverage to pay him over the average price.
This also forces the AFL into transparency of player wages because they’ll have to provide the information as to what the price is to be capped at.
Another added option would be to have a “marquee” type player where the Cats can tag Ablett as that player & he’s locked into the Cats for the same price. But, only one player per club can have this tag.
Jermayn’s POV on Free Agency
If it comes into been, lets hope that the “Vissy Deal” which saw Judd ‘choose’ Carlton when he wanted to leave the Eagles does not become the standard.
In my comments of The AFL Stadium Deals & Free Agency I made mention that clubs should be compensated but that defeats the purpose of a FREE agency doesn’t it?
If it comes into been, the salary cap and other payments will need to be monitored a lot better.
Other People’s POV on Free Agency
So hopefully you get a good idea and what everyone thinks of it, we now open it up to you. If you have questions or an opinion. Please let us know via the comments. Also have a look at the AFL Players Association Myth Busters page.
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