AFL quizzes Hawthorn for a second time over Vickery dealAFL.com.au
17 October 2017HAWTHORN has been quizzed by the AFL for a second time about the circumstances behind free agent Ty Vickery's move to Waverley amid opposition disquiet about how the Hawks' offer was structured.
Any club that makes a free agency or trade offer is routinely questioned about the terms of the deal when it lodges it with the AFL.
The Hawks lodged a two-year deal for Vickery believed to be worth about $1 million a week ago, but were called into League headquarters again on Monday morning when AFL officials questioned them once more about the mechanics of the Vickery deal.
Despite earlier speculation Richmond might match a Hawthorn offer to the restricted free agent, the Tigers let Vickery pass to the Hawks without any fight after being advised the spearhead's lucrative new deal would earn them a second-round compensation pick (currently No.27).
Rival clubs have privately expressed concerns about whether the Vickery deal was structured to ensure the spearhead got to Waverley and Richmond was compensated with an attractive pick.
The Hawks were linked to Vickery late in the 2016 season and industry sources initially believed they were considering tabling a three-year offer that was expected to earn Richmond an end-of-second or third-round pick.
When announcing Vickery's signing, Hawthorn published a statement on social media saying the 26-year-old had accepted a three-year deal, but quickly replaced it with an updated version that referred to a two-year deal.
An AFL spokesman said Monday's meeting was "part of our routine sign-off of all free agency moves and finalising of all trades".
Clubs contacted by AFL.com.au on Monday said they had only been required to discuss the details of free agency deals with the AFL at one meeting, which occurred when they lodged the official paperwork.
Vickery played 119 games and kicked 158 goals in eight seasons with Richmond after being recruited with pick No.8 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Richmond and Hawthorn have been contacted for comment.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-17/afl-quizzes-hawthorn-for-a-second-time-over-vickery-deal