Not really sure how anyone with any understanding of free agency could have ever thought that it would have worked out any other way. You would have to be very naive to believe that players would want to move from one lowly club to another, simply doesn't make any sense.
Free agency made perfect sense for the AFL.
They are a group whose sole focus is on money.
No surprise they would think the only motivation for players would be the amount of money they may make by moving.
They have continued to destroy grass roots football in their quest to get more and more money for themselves with no thought of what will happen in the future.
Changing the rules and fixture to ensure the broadcasters are happy are other indicators they have no vision.