When the VFL/AFL introduced the salary cap and draft in 1987, the game as we knew it was changed forever. As part of their long overdue equalisation policy, both were implemented to bring parity between clubs and in doing so, neutralise the ability of the rich clubs like Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond to dominate the competition.
The party was over, with the big four hamstrung and unable to open their fat wallets to lure the best available talent, equality had finally arrived.
After 100 or so years, all clubs were suddenly on an even playing field.
It was a masterstroke that should have been implemented years earlier and one that should be considered in crooked sports like Soccer to relieve us of the tedium of watching Manchester United win the title every other year.
Since then, aside from the odd breach, the intended objective has been achieved but now, on the horizon there is an AFL initiated loophole that will surely have the ‘big four’ salivating in anticipation as order may yet be restored. And you can bet your life that the clubs will already be conjuring up sly ways to manipulate this new system.
The AFL, in their wisdom, has introduced a policy of free agency, due to commence at season’s end 2012. But what does it mean? Well, simply, it means that a player, provided he has served his club for a certain period will have the right to field offers from rival clubs, accept the offer from the highest bidder and automatically move to his club of choice.
There are of course a few minor variations but you get the idea. This is a huge step for the AFL and it’s players and one that will have both winners and losers but like it or not, it’s coming and soon.
The question though is this. What will be the deciding factor for players when entertaining possible suitors? There will be several considerations for players to ponder but aside from the obvious, cash; the one that goes hand in hand with future premiership success is club culture.
What is culture though? It’s the predominating attitude and behaviours that characterise the club as a whole. Every club has one, some have positive, winning cultures built over years of sustained success and where failure in unacceptable.
Others have the opposite where despite their best efforts continue to be pedestrian, doing nothing more than making up the numbers. From the evidence before us year after year, changing club culture is tantamount to impossible.
When the biggest names in footy become eligible for free agency it will be the culture of their prospective club that will influence their decision more than any other factor. For arguments sake, let’s look at Brendon Goddard.
When his contract expires in 2012, the Saints best player will be one of the first high profile free agents on the market and having served 10 seasons at St Kilda will be in the enviable position of considering lucrative offers not just from GWS but from any other club intent on securing his services.
Let’s assume for a moment that he won’t go to GWS and really aside from the cash, why the hell would you? After a decade at the Saints and if I’m honest, no chance of ever playing in a premiership, it will be time to go. And he will. Clubs with winning cultures and cash to burn will again become front runners in securing big name players, bringing into the equation with devastating force, Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon.
Can you really imagine someone like Goddard leaving the Saints to move to a similar environment with a history of mediocrity and one where just making it is good enough?
Some clubs have success in the blood.
Sure, they have their lean times but when they once again climb to the top of the ladder history says they win more finals than they lose. That’s a winning culture and along with wheel barrows full of cash will see players of Goddard’s ilk waiting at the front door.
Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond once ruled the competition. The AFL, which set about bringing equality to the game, may have just shot themselves in the foot and provided a wonderful opportunity, if handled properly, for the ‘big four’ to throw their significant weight around like they once did.
With good list and contract management, wealthy clubs will lay in wait for the Goddard type to ring the door bell. Provided they’ve done their homework, they might just have the red carpet rolled out for his arrival.
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