AFL powerhouses set to swoop when free agency starts Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
April 13, 2011 COLLINGWOOD says it is determined to become the big winner from free agency's introduction next year and extend a potential era of dominance.
As free agency's introduction nears, the Pies are among a handful of clubs hoping to steal a march on the rest of the competition.
Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said he was confident the Pies would flourish with increased player movement.
Collingwood has been able to acquire Luke Ball, Andrew Krakouer, Chris Tarrant and Darren Jolly in recent years despite the AFL's trade and draft restrictions.
Pert believes the club's strong football department spending and strong culture strengthens the Pies' ability to bargain.
"The whole concept of free agency fundamentally changes the dynamics of the industry," he said.
"I won't anticipate which clubs will be the winners and losers, but it makes sense the clubs who have their cultures right, their total football club cultures, will be the ones who will benefit," he said.
"What we can control are the elements we put in place, so every player wants to play at Collingwood.
"We have had a strategy that says we want to have the best player group, the best coaches, the best facility, the best financial stability and let's not give any player a reason within our control to say they would want to leave Collingwood."
At the end of next year players of the calibre of Nick Dal Santo, James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Jarrad Waite and Sam Mitchell will be able to leave their clubs for nothing.
They will have served 10 years at their clubs and under free-agency rules their existing sides will get only a draft pick for compensation.
Also eligible to move clubs under the free-agency rules will be eight and nine-year stars such as Adam Cooney, Colin Sylvia, Heath Shaw, Sam Fisher and Brett Deledio.
But unlike 10-year veterans, their clubs will have the opportunity to match any offers from rival teams.
Carlton captain Chris Judd recently underlined the problem facing minnows hoping to lure stars.
He said he only considered playing at a big Melbourne club with big football department spending.
It is why Melbourne and Richmond are desperate to lift investment in their football departments and build war chests for free agency's introduction.
Clubs with poor on-field results and lower football spending may be left vulnerable by the powerhouses.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said yesterday the club was desperate to clear its debt and increase football department spending so it could be a contender.
"We are not fearful. We think it's fair and reasonable," he said.
"Part of our Fighting Tiger fund is about putting us in a position to retain players and go into the market for others.
"No bulging bank balance is a substitute for making great decisions.
"In sports around the world there are clubs with a lack of resources, but you need to make good decisions."Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab said two years ago the club's run-down facilities ruled out chasing stars.
Judd was wooed away from Junction Oval and quickly overlooked the Demons.
Schwab hopes the Demons will be active in free agency after pre-paying massive sums in recent years.
"There is a threat there because it opens your club's list up, but it's an opportunity you have to embrace," Schwab said.
"There is no question Melbourne would have been at a disadvantage in previous years because we had to present ourselves to players without taking them to our venue, but what we present now is as good as any club."
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