One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => View from the Outer => Topic started by: one-eyed on April 20, 2006, 04:19:36 AM
-
Show 'em the money, says Nixon
Mark Robinson
Herald-Sun
20apr06
PROMINENT player manager Ricky Nixon has called for a radical overhaul of the player payment system, the cornerstone being a 15 per cent pay rise in the salary cap.
Nixon, who will put a submission to the AFL Players' Association next week, has also put "franchise players" and restricted free agency back on the agenda.
As clubs, the AFLPA and AFL try to thrash out a revised restructure of the total player payments (TPP) from next year, Nixon has hurdled all predictions and demanded a 15 per cent rise for players.
Under Nixon's plan, on this year's TPP of $6.47 million, it would mean an increase of $970,500 a club.
The AFL, which will reap $780 million from the broadcast rights over five years from 2007-2011, hasn't officially put a percentage to the AFLPA, although 5 per cent has been reported. Nixon, however, argues that if the league's profit and revenue have increased 30 per cent more than what was projected three years ago, which he says has happened, then players must benefit.
"The players are quite within their rights to ask for a 15 per cent increase. In fact, I don't understand why they wouldn't be batting to have an overall percentage of the revenue full stop," Nixon said.
In the past three seasons the TPP has increased 3 per cent each season.
Players' association boss Brendon Gale said yesterday the 2007 increase was not finalised and that talks were continuing with the league. A deadline is set for June 30.
He refused to comment on Nixon's claim for 15 per cent.
"It's what we work out over the next few weeks," Gale said.
Nixon, who recently had discussions with Gale, has suggested -- for at least five years -- the use of a franchise player.
Nixon's theory is that a franchise player -- such as Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Lloyd, Jonathan Brown and Luke Hodge -- would have their salary excluded from the cap, meaning up to, and perhaps more than, $700,000 would be available to their teammates.
Nixon also wants to scrap additional services agreements, which basically pay players outside the cap for marketing.
"They've become a joke," Nixon said. "Every player these days is there to market, promote, train and play for their footy club."
Nixon's free agency issue is not an immediate concern but will be as the next Collective Bargaining Agreement comes into play for the 2009 season.
Free agency would allow an uncontracted player, who cannot come to agreement with his club, to go to the club of his choice, providing it can fit him under the salary cap.
Nixon said it should be 10 years but would settle for seven, eight or nine years.
"It is radical, but let's throw the cat amongst the pigeons," he said. "The only reason it hasn't been looked at previously is because of Matthew Lloyd and Steven King being 16-year-olds when they were chosen and that means if it was a 10-year rule, they would've been free agents two years ago."
Gale yesterday said he expected free agency to be tabled for discussion.
"It is such a departure, free agency is a significant shift, so that will be a discussion for another time," Gale said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18866128%255E11088,00.html
-
Bring in franchise players: Nixon
By Caroline Wilson
The Age
April 20, 2006
Influential player agent Ricky Nixon is urging the AFL Players Association to push for the introduction of a franchise player at each club whose payments would not be included in the salary cap.
Nixon, who also backed Leigh Matthews' call for at least a 15 per cent pay rise for the players next season, said yesterday that the prospect of a star player at each team would stop clubs hiding behind marketing deals as a way of meeting total player payments.
"I don't see why a Matthew Lloyd or a Ben Cousins should not be rewarded for their position at their clubs and their talent without having to hide behind the additional service allowance," he said. "Kids would get to see their heroes stay at their clubs forever.
"I'd be flabbergasted if the AFLPA doesn't push for it. I understand they read what I had to say and they were looking at it.
"Brendon Gale is by far the most aggressive chief executive the players have ever had and they're happy with that. The game has seen 42 per cent growth, this is not a down time for the game and the players have not been recognised anywhere near their worth over the past few years and they realise that."
Nixon, who said it was unrealistic for the AFL to even moot a pay rise of just 5 per cent — as it recently did to the 16 clubs — said it was inevitable that a qualified form of free-agency be introduced for footballers who had played for 10 years at their clubs.
"The AFL know it's inevitable," Nixon said. "The only reason they have a pre-season draft is so they can get around the restraint of trade situation.
"If you've had 10 years of service with a club and you can't come to terms with them like Scott Camporeale faced, then you should be allowed to move to the club of your choice.
"In the past they've baulked at it because players like Matthew Lloyd and Steven King reached their 10 years at such a young age. But footballers can't start at the age of 16 like they used to. I'd be pushing as strongly for a qualified form of free agency as I would for a franchise player."
Gale, who is negotiating the final two years of the current collective bargaining agreement, said his association had not ruled out the franchise option.
"When you're in negotiations you'll consider anything," Gale conceded last night.
"The prospect of a franchise player is obviously something we've looked at but it's not one of the key components we need to discuss as part of this collective bargaining agreement.
"We do have the discretion to raise some other things we believe could be worthwhile and that could be one of those things."
As for the potential to add some form of free-agency into the next agreement, Gale said that was more likely to be put forward early next year when the two parties could start negotiations for 2009.
"It's fair to say that we have some fairly experienced and well-researched player agents," said Gale, "and Ricky Nixon is one of those so we take on board his suggestions as discussion points."
Gale, key executives and a group of legal advisers have spent significant parts of the past two days in discussions in a city hotel before negotiations start with Andrew Demetriou and his team.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/04/19/1145344155691.html
-
The A-League allows one franchise or marque player per club. Archie Thompson was Melbourne Victory's while Dwight Yorke was Syndey FC's. IIRC they allowed something like up to $1 million outside the salary cap. In our current financial state I'd presume our capacity to have one would be hindered given we've put our own constraints on our TPP.
As for free agency - it most likely won't help us either unless there was a 7-year rule whereby we could instantly add one or two quality players b/w say 23-25 y.o. to fill the hole in the middle-age bracket of our list.
I'm not a fan of free agency but if it was brought in I hope Miller remembers his former club's initiative and drums up a list of every 10-year player in the League. Anyone who debuted in 1997 or prior to that. Most are over the hill but there's a couple with a few years still left in them:
Adel - Clarke, Edwards, Goodwin, Hart, McLeod, Riccuito, Torney, Welsh
Bris - Akermanis, Bradshaw, Chris Johnson, Keating, Lappin, Leppitsch, Michael, Scott brothers, Voss.
Carl - Kouta, Lappin, Whitnall
Coll - Buckley, Burns, Caracella, Clement, Licuria, Morrison, Prestigiacomo, A.Rocca, Wakelin
Ess - Camporeale, Fletcher, Heffernan, Hird, Jason Johnson, Lloyd, Lucas
Freo - Bell, Heath Black, Cook, Farmer, McManus, Parker, Schoefield
Geel - King, Milburn, Riccardi
Haw - Barker, Crawford, Dixon, Everitt, Joel Smith
Roos - Archer, Shannon Grant, Brent Harvey, Hay, Jade Rawlings, Sav Rocca, Simpson, Sinclair
Melb - Bizzell, Holland lol, McDonald, Neitz, Nicholson, Pickett, Robertson, White, Yze
Port - Peter Burgoyne, Dew, Francou, Kingsley, Lade, Tredrea, Wakelin, Wanganeen, Wilson
Rich - Joel Bowden, Browny, Chaffey, Gaspar, Kane Johnson, Richo, Stafford
St K - Gehrig, Hamill, Robert Harvey, Hudghton, Peckett, Powell, Thompson, Brett Voss
Syd - Barry, Hall, Mathews, O'Loughlin, Williams
WCE - Banfield, Braun, Chick, Cousins, Gardiner, Wirrpanda, Wooden
Dogs - Darcy, Eagleton, Chris Grant, Brad Johnson, Montgomery, Robbins, Rohan Smith, West
-
I reckon Ricky wants the players to get a big payrise so he gets a big payrise ::) :stupid :nopity :blah :chuck
-
I reckon Ricky wants the players to get a big payrise so he gets a big payrise ::) :stupid :nopity :blah :chuck
Too true WP :thumbsup. And the more players move around the bigger the cut he gets.
-
AFL looking at free agency system
Breaking News - The Age
January 15, 2007 - 7:29PM
The AFL will consider introducing a free agency system as part of a review of its player trade and draft rules.
The free agency proposal came from the AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) and is part of a raft of potential changes forwarded by the AFL to clubs to seek their input.
Under the proposal, a player who had been contracted to an AFL club for a specified number of seasons would be able to move to a different club without needing to nominate for a draft.
In another mooted change, any player who was out of contract on October 31 would be able to nominate for the national draft.
The pre-season and national drafts could then be combined into one, with the rookie draft held on the same day.
The changes are aimed at encouraging more player trading, given there has been a steady decline.
There were 33 trades after the 2000 season, but that decreased each subsequent year, with just nine after the 2006 season.
Also under review is the father-son rule, with proposals to assign "market value" to father-son draft picks either by a panel of experts or through a bidding system.
Currently, clubs must use a third-round national draft pick.
The proposed changes are being discussed by an AFL and AFLPA working party as part of collective bargaining agreement negotiations for the next five seasons.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/AFL-looking-at-free-agency-system/2007/01/15/1168709675610.html
-
I'm not totally against free agency but I believe the time frame should be at least 10 years or a age limit should be put on it. If it was say 7 years then someone like Lids who starts AFL footy when he is 17 could walk out at 24 just as he's hitting his prime and after the club he left has put all that development time into a player for no reward.
If it does come in then the Club should immediately get in contact with every player potentially available under a free agency rule and who still has plenty of footy left in them. That's what North did in the 70s. Yes there's now a salary cap which means you might only get one or two but we have space under the salary cap whereas most other clubs that are full to the tilt in terms of Total Player Payments. A quality ready-made key defender or midfielder wouldn't go astray with the current crop of youngsters we have. We are also a club on the up :thumbsup.
As for the F/S rule. Leave it as it is IMO. Luck of the draw. Imagine if we had outbidded the Pies for Jason and Cameron Cloke plus Damir ;).
-
Still unsure about this idea TBH
Could you imagine an interstate team with salary cap room? Money isnt an issue for them.
Could you imagine Collingwood offering the world to Deledio and we cant match what they are offering? We could lose him for nothing.
-
Benny Gale said on SEN the AFLPA was still discussing about how many years service it should be but 10 years was mooted. The NFL has seven years service before free agency is available. Even if free agency is rejected it seems the AFLPA want any uncontracted player by Oct 31 to be able to nominate for the National draft as well as the PSD to give recycled players more of chance to stay in the system.
The rookie draft IMO should stay where it is. We know Miller gets a few kids down to our preseason training after the main draft to test them out. If the National, PSD and rookie drafts were all on the same day we would lose that.
Could you imagine Collingwood offering the world to Deledio and we cant match what they are offering? We could lose him for nothing.
Well you wouldn't go to the Pies if you wanted to play in a premiership lol ;).
-
Well you wouldn't go to the Pies if you wanted to play in a premiership lol ;).
Well, you might if you wanted to play in a grandfinal and come second :lol
-
Draft change tipped
11 March 2007 Herald-Sun
Jon Ralph
THE AFL will take a raft of conflicting and radical club submissions to the drawing board before deciding whether to make significant changes to the father-son rule and trade-draft system this year.
The AFL is visiting clubs to discuss responses to topics including free agency, the possible abolition of the pre-season draft, lifting the draft age and allowing players easier access to the veterans list.
The ideas will form the basis of an agenda for an eight-person working party on player movement, initiated after only nine players moved clubs in the trade period last year.
One proposal being discussed would see every player yet to sign a contract by October 30 allowed to nominate for the national draft, giving them greater freedom to move clubs.
The AFL is considering raising the age of footballers drafted by three months, so players would need to turn 18 by December 31 in the year they were selected.
A bidding system for the father-son rule has gained favouritism over a panel of experts ruling on which draft pick a club must use on a player.
The AFL Players Association will again push for some form of free agency.
While there is not widespread support for such a move, some clubs believe it could work in a limited form.
Clubs are overwhelmingly happy with the length of the trade period and say it is necessary for medical reports and player interviews at a time when many players are interstate or overseas.
Other club submissions include:
GEELONG, which has mined the father-son pool in recent years, would prefer the rule to stay in its current form, but expects it to change.
HAWTHORN has suggested a 24-to-48-hour trade window after the national draft to allow fringe players the chance for a fresh start at other clubs.
RICHMOND says the system is perfect as it is and says there is no need to change it.
MELBOURNE believes it may be too easy to play 100 games to qualify for father-son status, and has suggested a rise to 150 or 200 games.
THERE is continuing opposition from Victorian clubs to Sydney and the Lions having first choice of rookies from their local zones before other clubs in the rookie draft.
AFLPA general operations manager Matt Finnis confirmed the players were in favour of some form of free agency.
"We think it is necessary with the current levels of movement of players over the past three years, and it's something worth having a look at," Finnis said.
"The AFLPA is of the view that there needs to be greater freedom for players to control their careers after they have been in the competition for a certain period of time."
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the working party would scrutinise all the submissions before deciding on any changes to the system.
"There is some great knowledge and experience in the clubs in the football and recruiting areas about drafts and trading, and we are trying to tap into that in preparation for the draft review working party with the AFLPA," Anderson said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21359420%255E19742,00.html
-
Clubs call for changes to trade and draft
Stephen Rielly
The Age
March 22, 2007
THE AFL is being encouraged to make radical changes to the game's trade and draft systems, with several clubs urging the league to deregulate the recruiting market.
The introduction of short-term contracts and the adoption of an NFL/NBA-style trading of future draft picks are among the proposals the league has received as part of its draft review, which is expected to be completed this year.
Hawthorn and Fremantle have argued for picks from drafts at least one and possibly two years away to be available for trade, to build what they describe as greater currency into a system that has seen the number of deals consummated in trade week dwindle by more than 60 per cent over the past six years. In the 2000-01 trade week, 33 players were exchanged. Last October, deals involving only nine players were struck.
Hawthorn's general manager of player personnel and strategy, Chris Pelchen, a long-time advocate of future trading, says the current system has become gridlocked and needs to be unlocked in the interests of clubs and players.
"If you don't want to trade into the future, don't. It's that simple. No one is going to compel a club to do it but we say at least provide the opportunity for those who do," Pelchen said. "We have two opportunities to improve our lists each year and one of those opportunities or mechanisms saw only nine players, of a pool of more than 650, traded last year. That, to us, says we need change."
Fremantle's submission argues salary-cap restrictions have over time created a situation where a small number of elite players are traded each year but middle and lower-tier players have largely become trapped. Using other assets to bargain, the Dockers maintain, clubs will be better able to grease the wheels of negotiation.
"It is often very difficult to finalise trades because clubs have very little to deal with, particularly as the movement of mid-range salary players has become increasingly difficult due to most clubs' total player payments restrictions," it says. "We suggest that clubs should be permitted to trade future year(s) draft selections as part of the trading process, adding more tradeable currency into the trade market."
Historically, the AFL has been reluctant to permit future trading of picks for fear of myopic clubs, or more precisely their coaches, selling off the future to prop up the present.
Pelchen argues that this is an argument that penalises clubs who do manage their affairs professionally and discourages a higher level of draft and trading performance. If necessary, he adds, a limit could be placed on the number of future picks allowed to be traded. "Clubs who pay respect to the trade period through professional analysis of opposition lists would be, and should be, rewarded," Pelchen said.
"We would support, in the first instance, a limited form of future trading where we might only permit trading 12 months in advance rather than two or three years ahead."
The Hawks are also promoting an idea, shared with the Western Bulldogs among others, of short-term contracts that might allow, for example, an ageing star who cannot withstand the rigours of a full season to remain in the game or clubs to recruit a specific type of player in the event of rash of injuries.
The Dogs are pushing for a 15-game veterans list contract that would sit outside the salary cap and afford someone such as Michael Voss or Rohan Smith the chance to stay in the game.
Given clubs are unable to alter their lists between December and October, Hawthorn has also suggested top-up or short-term contracts for a mature-age player, an 11-game deal for either a legend or a player drawn from a state league to cover the unexpected loss of a player.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2007/03/21/1174153158412.html
-
This is becoming more like the stock market where we'll need to access the value of each crop of youngsters coming through in the next 3 or so years :-\. Next they'll bring in Options where club X pays club Y a certain amount of dollars up front so it has the option to renege on a deal if it becomes unfavourable at a future time.
A bidding system for the father-son rule has gained favouritism over a panel of experts ruling on which draft pick a club must use on a player.
A bidding system for F/S looks pretty certain of occurring according to the Club yesterday.
-
Trading of future draft picks is a stupid idea. A club on the verge of a flag could sell everything in order to snatch a flag.
The reason not many players are traded is becasue clubs have come to the realisation that draft picks are so valuable. Clubs keep their guns, try to offload their mediocre players and try to find more guns through the draft. They have figured out that by trading for other clubs mediocre players gets you nowhere more often than not.
There needs to be a period after trade week where clubs can come together and exchange players only. The reason why many clubs don't trade these days is because they are all trying to gain draft picks or improve on their current picks. For example a club might be reluctant to offload a B grade player in the hope that another deal might come through where a draft pick is gained or improved upon. Once the first week (or maybe 3-4 days) of player and draft pick trades is over, the player only exchange period can open for another week (or 3-4 days). This could see say a Krakouer be exchanged for a Sampi without the interference of a possible option of packaging one of these players to gain say a 2nd round draft pick.
-
I actually agree with most changes proposed. Trading has gone backwards every year ie. no of players traded. Something needs to happen.
-
Trading of future draft picks is a stupid idea. A club on the verge of a flag could sell everything in order to snatch a flag.
Freo :whistle
But seriously, I agree with you Harry. It'd just encourage dumb recruiting.
The reason not many players are traded is becasue clubs have come to the realisation that draft picks are so valuable. Clubs keep their guns, try to offload their mediocre players and try to find more guns through the draft. They have figured out that by trading for other clubs mediocre players gets you nowhere more often than not.
We learnt that the hard way :scream
-
Father-son bidding wars tipped
Caroline Wilson | April 25, 2007
The Age
THE AFL will rewrite the father-son rule, removing a club's unconditional right to a second-generation player and instead enforcing a bidding system with opposing teams.
In a move that certainly would have had impressive Geelong newcomer Tom Hawkins taken as a first-round draft pick, the AFL will introduce the new system before the national draft later this year.
The change, the 12th to the father-son rule since it was first amended in 1967, means every club will have the opportunity to bid for father-son players by committing a first-, second-, third- or fourth-round pick before the national draft. The club with the first rights to take the player must then match the best bid from any other club or lose the player.
Should the premiership club, for example, commit to a first-round pick — in other words pick No. 16 — then the father-son club would be compelled to give up its next closest pick, in that case a second-round choice, to take the player.
Full article at: http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/fatherson-bidding-wars-tipped/2007/04/24/1177180652673.html
-
Push for free agency
11 July 2007 Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
THE AFL Players' Association wants the AFL to introduce free agency as early as next year.
No time frame has been officially proposed, but the AFLPA is adamant it wants drastic changes to the "unnecessary and unfairly rigid" rules governing players.
"We want to see a loosening up of the internal labour market for footballers," AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale said last night.
"We think freeing up, liberalising it, would be in the best interests of the competition, for clubs, and would benefit players. We've identified the issues and we've got solutions we think are in the best interest of the competition."
The AFLPA and the AFL last year failed to agree on conditions for free agency, but formed a working party.
Clubs were asked for their view and offered their input earlier this year.
The AFLPA delivered its discussion document to the AFL last week.
It outlined its proposals for player managers at a conference on Monday.
The centrepiece of its document revolved around restricted and unrestricted free agency, which would allow players to move more easily between clubs.
Restricted free agency would enable a player after, say, four years, to go to the club of his choice.
His club would still have the power to match the offer of an opposition club.
If his club did so, the player would stay.
For example, if the Western Bulldogs offered a player $300,000 and Hawthorn offered $400,000, the Bulldogs would have to match the $400,000 offer.
The Hawks would be allowed just one offer.
Unrestricted free agency would mean a player after, say, seven years, would be able to go to the club of his choice.
All that club would be required to do was fit the player into its salary cap.
"Basically, players out of contract would be free to go and look at other opportunities without resorting to the trade week or pre-season draft," Gale said.
He said the time span that would allow players to move under free agency was still to be determined.
Gale said players didn't have the power to "ply their trade" at another club when situations arose, as they did last year, when players weren't recontracted before trade week, were not traded, and then were delisted.
He said free agency was not always about the league's superstars swapping clubs for more money.
"There's a lot of really disappointing situations and we don't think it's fair," Gale said.
"We support the salary cap and the national draft as a means to maintain competitive balance.
"But the rules to regulate the players, we think, are the most rigid and inflexible of any of the elite sports in the world.
"Ours are the most rigid and it leads to unfair outcomes.
"We think the time is right to reconsider those."
Gale predicted discussions with the AFL would be "long and arduous".
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22054448%255E20322,00.html
-
The Judd deal and what happened to Josh Kennedy is only further encouraging the Players Association to push for free agency.
http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/will-afl-players-cry-freedom/2007/10/12/1191696179362.html
-
Players call for free for all
By Greg Denham
The Australian
April 10, 2008
A MASSIVE rift between the AFL Players' Association, the league and the 16 clubs is set to open over the AFLPA's demand to introduce a free-agency system.
The players' union wants across-the-board free agency within two years, saying the proposal will also enhance the early competitiveness of the new clubs on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney.
AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale said he was "encouraged" by the league's proposal to have a form of limited free agency apply to the new start-up clubs, but the players are demanding a widespread introduction.
Under present rules, a player can only transfer during the October player-exchange period, in which he must agree to be traded or enter the national and pre-season drafts.
Gale's forceful stance comes a week after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou proposed to introduce a form of free agency by providing the Gold Coast team with one uncontracted player per club at the end of 2010, a year before the new team enters the elite competition.
The players' union is pushing for two types of free agency, a restricted and an unrestricted form. Under the restricted form, which might kick in for players with five, six or seven years of service, the player's original club would have the right of last refusal for any new contract.
The unrestricted form would be for longer service and the player's original club would not have the last right of refusal.
"We think a player, if he's performed a certain amount of service and he's out of contract, should have the right to determine his own future without resorting to trade week or the pre-season draft," Gale said.
Gale said free agency would not just benefit marquee players targeted by the expansion clubs.
"It will really help guys with at least six or seven years of service, guys who are not superstars, but professionals who are good honest players," he said.
"Their opportunity to be traded is limited. These are the guys that feel they are unreasonably restrained in their ability to ply their profession somewhere else."
Gale said he did not have an "exact" timetable for when an annual free-agency window should arise, but he believed that it could be held each November.
Full article at:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23514982-23211,00.html
-
Players put free-agency on the negotiating table
Courtney Walsh | October 11, 2008
THE adoption of a free-agency model could help prevent the inactivity that again plagued trade week, according to the AFL players association.
The AFLPA's general manager of operations Matt Finnis yesterday said a form of free agency would help increase the number of trades each year after a record low of only six deals were completed over the past week. The previous low was nine player trades in 2006.
The AFLPA will present free agency models to the AFL Commission by the end of the year.
"I guess this week really continues a trend that has been in existence for some years where the level of player movement is really quite minimal," Finnis said.
"Clearly there is some aspect of trade week which impacts on the ability of trades at different levels to get done."
Clubs have previously rejected free agency as a legitimate solution, yet their continued reluctance to part with valued picks during trade week has boosted the player association's case.
AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale said this year players were pushing for two different types of free agency, a restricted and an unrestricted form.
Under the restricted form, which would affect players with between five and seven years of service, their existing club would have last refusal on any contract.
The unrestricted form would be for longer service and the player's existing club would not have the right of refusal.
"We'll go back and refine our proposals, refine our framework, something that meets the interest of the players and the industry," Gale said in May.
While Sydney's Ryan O'Keefe and Melbourne's Brad Green, who yesterday agreed to remain with the Demons until 2011, are players that would have benefited under free agency, Finnis believes it could also help contracted players seeking to move elsewhere by enticing clubs to deal.
Players under contract who will remain at homes they wanted to leave in 2009 include West Coast's Mark Seaby, Essendon's Andrew Lovett and Kangaroos' Daniel Harris and Corey Jones.
"If players have got more direct influence when they are out of contract, we think that will promote a more flexible marketplace, but also for those within contract because there is greater incentive for clubs to move and deal with players who are contracted," Finnis said.
A recent player survey found 95 per cent of players believed their ability to move to a new club of choice was important.
O'Keefe had hoped to return to Melbourne after spending nine years with Sydney.
He may enter the pre-season draft and hope he can make his way to trade-week suitors Carlton or Hawthorn, with Sydney unsure how the situation will pan out.
"The first port of call is that Ryan needs to get back to us and say 'I want to remain at the Sydney Swans and then we can start talking about contracts," Swans' personnel manager Stuart Maxfield said yesterday.
Another factor certain to be discussed will be the introduction of a rule allowing clubs to trade future draft picks to gain a player.
While clubs were determined not to offer a first-round pick this year given the pending inclusion of sides from the Gold Coast and, perhaps, western Sydney, a rule alteration would allow them to use their first pick from the following year as trade bait.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24477522-5012432,00.html
-
It's the AFL's fault. Allowing Judd to interview clubs and choose just one for West Coast to deal with has opened a Pandora's box with now everyone else wanting to do the same including no-namers like Warnock who have offered little service to their club despite Freo putting in 3-4 years of development. It screws the player's existing club because they are limited to only what the club of choice is willing to offer or they lose their player for zip. Freo would've got a better pick from Melbourne but Warnock froze them out.
Carlton have realised this loophole so they make sure the player and his manager tell the world that the player will only deal with the Blues and miraculously Carlton have more salary cap room than everyone else to pick the player up in the PSD if no deal is done ::). This holds up trade week to Friday because the existing club isn't happy about being screwed and (pointlessly) holds out to the end hoping the other club will crack which of course they don't.
It really is tampering with the draft. "Hey if you don't accept what we're offering then your player will put a ransom on his head to bypass clubs with earlier picks in the National and Preseason drafts and we'll get him for nothing". This blackmail used to be classed as draft tampering but of course the AFL being afraid of free agency will ignore it again ::). If Carlton with pick 6 in the PSD get O'Keefe as well then the system truly is stuffed.
Oh well we can only hope the Blues think they are above the rules of the game again (seems only white-collar crooks are prez of the Blues these days) and they get caught cheating again :pray.
-
Free-agency model mooted for players
Michael Gleeson | February 5, 2009
FREE agency is inching closer in the AFL with a model being considered for players to be given a five-week window to move to a club of choice.
Uncontracted players would be able to move during the five weeks between the end of trade week and the national draft under the latest suggested change being negotiated.
Only players who had been at clubs for a reasonable period of service would qualify for free agency. While debate remains over what length of service is suitable, it is likely to be about seven years.
The players' association this week met player agents and advised on the state of negotiations with the AFL and admitted that the post-trade-week window was the latest model. There is no set time frame for any change to be introduced, but the AFL Commission resolved last April that the executive would negotiate meaningfully with the players to devise an appropriate model.
The concessions granted to the new Gold Coast team — with provision for it to select a certain number of uncontracted players — introduced a form of free agency, albeit one limited to one club.
The proposed model with a free agency period after the trade week would apply greater pressure on clubs to sign players earlier or risk them being able to move.
It would also apply greater pressure on clubs to do a deal in trade week lest they lose a player for nothing.
Last year's constipated trade-week negotiations, which culminated in just four players moving clubs, did not help the argument against free agency.
A change such as that suggested might make trade week redundant for those players who qualify as they could move to a club of choice without the need for negotiating a trade.
Most players, however, would prefer their original club be compensated in some form and would not wish to be seen as mercenaries walking out on their clubs for nothing.
Fears that clubs would lose their best players for nothing is mitigated by the salary cap, meaning the richest clubs could not simply buy any player they wished regardless.
It also remains open to clubs to re-sign players sooner and on more market competitive rates, rather than risk them leaving in the free-agency window.
The suggested seven-year qualifying period would have meant that in the recent case of Chris Judd — the biggest player transfer in decades — the Eagles would have still been entitled to compensation in a trade for he had only been at the Eagles six years at that point.
"I can confirm we have updated our player agents with the progress of negotiations with the AFL," AFLPA operations manager Matt Finnis said.
"We are encouraged with the progress and look forward to finalising some arrangements."
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/freeagency-model-mooted/2009/02/04/1233423312974.html
-
Clause could force AFL to act on free agency
Mark Stevens From: Herald Sun Tue Oct 13
A LITTLE-KNOWN clause in the AFL Collective Bargaining Agreement threatens to bring the free agency battle to flash point.
The AFL Players' Association has grown increasingly frustrated by inaction from the league and has the right to withdraw its support for the current transfer rules.
If the AFLPA revoked its agreement under the clause, it would be significantly easier for players to launch legal action against the league's restrictive player-movement system.
A working party has been investigating the issue for more than two years and the AFLPA is uneasy about the lack of progress given the swift movement on more complex issues such as new teams on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney.
Luke Ball being left in limbo on Friday has strengthened the AFLPA's resolve to call on the commission to step in and fast-track a form of free agency.
If the AFLPA is not satisfied with the commission's actions, it has the ability to turn up the blowtorch through clause 8.6 of the CBA.
The clause states: "If the outcome of the working party on player movement is not satisfactory to the AFLPA, the AFLPA shall be entitled to revoke its agreement to the terms of clause 8.1."
Clause 8.1 spells out the restrictions on freedom of players to transfer clubs.
Although the AFLPA has refused to comment on clause 8.6, which amounts to a ticking time bomb, the Herald Sun understands it has not ruled out bringing it into play.
It would arguably leave the AFL rules more exposed to a potential legal challenge from a player, current or former, who is aggrieved at the restrictive rules.
At the moment, if a player challenged the rules as being in restraint of trade, the AFL would be well placed. It would almost certainly argue the restraints were reasonable and necessary for the competition to remain equal.
The league could also fall back on the AFLPA's agreement to the rules as evidence of their reasonableness. The AFLPA clearly would be in a better position to support a player's challenge to the rules if it was not party to the agreement.
AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis yesterday reiterated the players' union wanted free agency introduced for the 2012 season. To do that, Finnis is adamant moves have to be made as soon as possible.
"The timing is now," Finnis said.
The AFLPA has proposed players should be eligible to move to the club of their choice after seven years of service. Finnis said the AFLPA was "frustrated" by a lack of a resolution from the working party after 2 1/2 years.
"Particularly when you consider how quickly other major structural reforms have been passed through as in the list concessions and models for Gold Coast and western Sydney," Finnis said.
What the get-out line says
DISAGREEMENT over free agency raises the spectre of players going to court to get to a new club.
Clause 8.6 of the AFL-AFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement 2001-2011 states:
(a) The AFL acknowledges that the AFLPA has reserved its position in relation to its agreement to the terms set out in sub-clause 8.1 pending the outcome of the Working Party on Player Movement.
b) If the outcome of the Working Party on Player Movement is not satisfactory to the AFLPA (acting reasonably), the AFLPA shall be entitled to revoke its agreement to the terms of clause 8.1 as they pertain to the AFL Player Rules which restrict the freedom of players to transfer from one AFL club to another.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/clause-could-force-afl-to-act-on-free-agency/story-e6frf9jf-1225786062951