Thursday night’s AFL National Draft looms as one of the most intriguing ever seen in the game, with controversy striking only days out from one of the biggest days in a young footballer’s life.
This year the stars of tomorrow have been overshadowed by Luke Ball and his refusal to discuss his future with any clubs other than Collingwood in a bid to get the move the former St Kilda captain wants.
Ball, who failed in his bid to become a Collingwood player during trade week in October, has been training away from any other clubs and refused to discuss any move.
There was some speculation that Ball, 25, would leave the game for at least one year if he didn’t reach his desired destination in the Magpies.
This has once again raised the issue of free agency.
From a financial prospective – currently – there are salary caps that have to be adhered to by AFL clubs. However, this doesn’t include deals outside of the individuals playing contract.
We see this with the Chris Judd case. He is earning his salary for playing with Carlton – which is included in the salary cap – but also receives a substantial amount from being associated with Visy, a deal constructed by the move to Carlton from West Coast in 2007.
This type of salary cap manipulation would not be good for the game and would see the rich clubs once again dominate the competition and see the poorer clubs struggle to maintain their status in the league.
The AFLPA would have to also place restrictions on off-field player payments to make for a fair and level playing field.
There has also been some talk regarding the possibility of having free agency for players that have given seven years of service to their club as a possible formation of free agency policy. The argument has some merit, with players being able to determine their own futures incorporating family and life into their decision over where they wish to live and play.
However under the seven year proposal generated by the AFL Players Association, players who arrive at a club through the draft, at age 17 or 18, would be able to leave that club at the age of 24 or 25, when established AFL footballers without offering any form of compensation for the club that nurtured and spent important resources to develop.
More thought will need to be conducted before making any decisions about the future of the ability of players to decide which club they play for.
Redb
Roar Guru
Essendon basicially picked up 3 of its 4 picks from the Calder Cannons our local TAC Cup side, plus a West Australian kid. Having a Long at the club is great. Redb
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Luke Ball has made it all the way through to Collingwood at pick 30. The Bullies got the Ainslie boy, J. Tutt at 31. Around there also, St Kilda got a certain N. Winmar, and Essendon got one of the Long family.
Matthew Stephen
Guest
A player such as Luke Ball can put a price on his head in that case said to be $500000. Any club that is willing to match that level of payment can take him without argument from Ball. Essendon have said that they can pay him that so if Essendon call his name he must go. Other players such as Luke Ablett will just go where they are called and they settle of a wage. First year draftees are on a set salary I believe and then get match payments for each game they play on top of that. I think their base wage is around $55000.
Redb
Roar Guru
Some form of free agency is desirable.
JiMMM
Roar Rookie
Good luck to him challenging that rule. My view is that it's a competition rule, as long as there isn't anything stopping him from going and playing in a different comp or a different sport, and the draft isn't discriminatory then he shouldn't win. Fair enough he only wants to play for Collingwood, but those are rules, whats next players challenging some of the rules of the sport. for the record I am for free-agency (even if it is a limited form).
AndyRoo
Guest
Lions have been mentioned. In the W league there are a few QLD girls that play for MV. They train during the week with Brisbane Roar and then go and play for MV on the weekend. So perhaps Ball could stay in his house afterall :)
Kazama
Roar Guru
I heard that Foxtel are only showing the first round - after that they'll run packages of the draftees while the draft continues on a ticker at the bottom of the screen. So if you want to follow it live I suggest you keep a radio nearby. Disappointing that the draft is tonight and there is no article from any of The Roar staff covering it.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
The answer is yes and no. In reality, it's very rare for a club to pick a player in the draft (an experienced player I mean), with whom they have not talked. That's part of the process - they communicate beforehand and the clubs work out whether it's worth it or not.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Does it matter? By my count there are 6 teams that could draft him and force him to move interstate, whether any of these clubs have speculated about Ball in the press is irrelevant. He was the number two draft pick in the best draft ever, he's forged a brilliant career and is a fantastic player and leader, what club wouldn't want to snatch him up without having to give anything other than a draft pick in return?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Have they been mentioned in relation to Ball? I thought they had their sights set on some local youngsters.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Yes of course, he'll take a helicopter to Perth every morning if the Weagles decide to draft him?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Fair enough Robbos - that too is a big night - it's just not quite in the same league as the draft.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
What do you mean re-locate? He'll stay in his house regardless of who he plays for! :)
Pippinu
Roar Guru
That's good - no commercials!!
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
One gets the feeling Ball is getting set to take on the AFL in the courts. Fair-play to him too, if he wants to play for Collingwood (although I can't see why anyone in their right mind would) then why shouldn't he if he fits in their cap? He is above all a human being, his chosen profession shouldn't force him to relocate just because of some antiquated rules.
LT80
Roar Pro
What happens if a player gets drafted by a club and they won't offer him what he wants to get paid? Do they have to match an offer that he might have from another club?
Firestarter Bob
Guest
Stop salivating. It's not even on free to air tv.
Robbos
Guest
The world cup draw in 1st week in December is the big night for me. I will be setting my alarm for that one.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
It's a nationwide draft - kids all over Australian will be waiting to hear if their name has been called out - from the Southern tip of Tassie all the way to the Top End, from the NSW North Coast all the way across to the Kimberley, and everywhere in between - Australians will be watching every name called.
Firestarter Bob
Guest
A reminder to all that one of the biggest nights on the Melbourne sporting calendar is on tonight.