Free agency was not introduce because the AFL wanted it. It was introduced because the players wanted more freedom and the AFL agreed as it help ward off any legal action by players in restraint of trade.
The very fact that free agency has worked for player Tom Lynch shows it is a roaring success
And as much as people want to whinge, if a premiership contender had $1 mill of cap space available (or around 6-7%) then they should be perfectly entitled to bring players in. All credit should go to a team that has that much space available AND is in a position to contend for a flag. Otherwise its just punishment for being a successful team.
Players move for three reasons IMO.
- Chance at a flag
- $$
- To be closer to home/family/friends
Tom's move was linked strongly to two of those three.
At the end of the day, FA is still tied to TPP which IS an equalisation measure.
