AFL proposes rookie-list players join trade weekafl.com.au
By Mic Cullen
Tue 14 July, 2009
THE AFL is looking to increase the ability of players to move between clubs, with the latest proposal to allow the trading of rookie-listed players.
The AFL and the AFLPA have put a recommendation to the clubs that rookies be part of trade week, and that any rookies traded would go onto the receiving club’s senior list.
The clubs have been asked to respond by the end of next week (July 24).
AFL acting football operations manager Jill Lindsay said the recommendation was part of an ongoing and long-standing review of the way players move between clubs.
"The AFL and AFLPA player movement working party has been working over the last two years to closely examine the competition's draft and trading rules, to allow a greater amount of player movement, but recognising that our competition is successful because of the operation of a draft and salary cap,” she said.
"Our draft and salary cap rules have enabled every club in the competition to contest a preliminary final during this decade but it is also extremely important that we continue to provide the best opportunities for a player to be able to move clubs to further his career, if those opportunities are available at another club.
"The proposal to allow rookie-list players to be part of any trade, so as to secure a potential agreement, has had strong initial support in our discussions with clubs, and the AFL is now seeking formal feedback from all the clubs on their final views."
The working party is comprised of senior AFL staff Adrian Anderson, Andrew Dillon, Rod Austin and Simon Lethlean, AFLPA representatives Brendon Gale, Matt Finnis, Bernie Shinners and Laura Sigal and Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/80651/default.aspx
