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Winners and losers of an AFL mid-season transfer window

In a tough season for Freo, Lachie Neale has proided a ray of hope. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
Roar Guru
28th June, 2016
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Gillon McLachlan sparked the wheels into motion on the idea of a potential ‘trade month’ in the middle of the AFL season in the coming years. Player agents and others have suggested this period could run similarly to that of the January transfer market in European football.

The implementation of this new trade period would cause waves in the AFL. It would affect individual players and the formation of clubs’ lists as well as the run-in to the finals.

As such, it is apt to analyse who the big winners and losers would be from this potential change.

Winners

Players
Starting with the obvious. If players were afforded the opportunity to change clubs mid-season, those who had hot starts to the campaign would have the ability to cash in on the desperation of other clubs.

Therefore, weaker clubs could poach the fringe players of their prospering rivals resulting in a fairer league for all.

Player agents
Of course, more movement of players means more work for player agents as they seek to organise and execute moves for their clients. More trades mean more money.

If this prospective transfer window worked similarly to that of European football, agents could be busy shopping around their clients, drumming up interest and arranging big moves.

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Struggling clubs
Not only would struggling clubs benefit from the ability to improve upon their lists at the midway point of the season, but so too would the entire league.

This could have the potential to see high-quality players vastly improve poor rosters and catapult teams that were seen as no-hopers into the frame for September.

The fans
The potential for a mid-season shake-up where out of favour teams make a run at finals football yields considerably more excitement for the fans.

Imagine watching a team sign a big name player and surge from last place into finals contention? The stories that could be generated and the fairy tales lived out are mouth-watering.

The media
More transfers breed more storylines for the papers. Trade rumours and inside scoops on big moves are always plentiful when the transfer window opens.

Further, a change of fortune for a side who has been successful at the trade table could breed unexpected tales of glory coming from a poor start to the season.

Losers

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Big clubs
Clubs who have hot starts to the season could find themselves losing valuable players come mid-season trade time. Players who are seen as role players in big teams may have the option to choose between being a small part of a champion team or being the main man in a younger up and coming side.

However, the loss of these players could dent the title aspirations of a club who has put together a great list to begin the campaign.

Club academies
The ability to poach players in mid-season could lead to teams with less salary cap space or less quality in their lists looking to academies and reserve teams in order to spruce up their side.

Clubs who have a history of producing talented youngsters could see their up and coming talents snatched up by struggling teams with the lure of regular footy in the AFL.

One-club players
With increased opportunities for trades and interested clubs, the one-club player could become a thing of the past. Clubs could offer big money or better contract terms with the hope of luring usually loyal players away from their clubs.

There are definitely pros and cons to the potential instigation of a mid-season transfer window in the AFL. The introduction could provide further excitement to fans as well as providing more opportunities for clubs to make big moves in search of players to make their lists more competitive.

What do you think of this potential big development for the AFL, Roarers?

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