In 2013, a massive change will be coming to the AFL. That change will be free agency. Free agency comes into force when a player who has played at a club for an extended period length of time comes out of contract.
They then become a free agent and can move clubs without being traded or entering the draft.
Introducing this will bring the AFL up to speed with the rest of the international sporting world in terms of players moving clubs.
Over the past couple of years, there is no doubt that the secret contract negotiations between GWS, the Suns and established clubs star have had everybody on edge.
The Gary Ablett Jnr and Tom Scully contract talks in particular were something that had everybody in the football world guessing whether they were going to stay at their respective clubs or not.
Throughout recent seasons, the speculation over the contracts of not just these two but all players has caused much controversy.
Even teammates have wondered whether their mates have signed or not.
Every week there is seemingly someone else who hasn’t re-signed yet or doesn’t want to tell the public.
Why don’t players just come out and tell the rest of the world whether they want to move clubs or have signed with another club, like in the NRL?
They seem to be mature enough about it.
Without a doubt this has been an ugly area for the AFL.
With the reaction of Melbourne fans to Tom Scully on the weekend at the MCG being very emotional, fans and clubs will have to learn to deal with players leaving their club.
The introduction of free agency is inevitable and it will benefit our game in the long run.
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