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.
Keagan Ryan
Roar Guru
You're not called "the critic" for nothing! I think dropping a player for signing with another club midway through a season depends primarily on ladder position. Geelong wouldn't have dropped Ablett cause they were a finals contender. Not just finals contenders but a genuine premiership threat. On the other hand Melbourne may have dropped Scully cause they're terrible/rebuilding. Why waste valuable match experience on him when you could get games into another young kid? Widget - The player movement system may be conceived as an "ugly area" but personally I love AFL because it's without a doubt the most loyalty based sport in the world. Sure the intrigue of a player moving club is exciting, but showing faith and sticking with a franchise is what makes AFL special. Seeing a player stick with a struggling club through the tough times is inspiring, it creates passion amongst supporters and clubs. Increased player movement makes the industry appear more business orientated. $$$
The Critic
Guest
Hi Widget, Please treat as constructive criticism. I don't really understand the purpose of your piece. The introduction tells us that free agency is coming in next year. We all know that. You then talk about Ablett and Scully. OK, fair enough. I don't think we were all "on edge" as most of us knew they were going. Are you trying to say Free Agency will get rid of the "guessing"? If so, how? Will free agency cure the "teammates don't know where teammates are going" problem? If so, how? You then write "Every week there is seemingly someone else who hasn’t re-signed yet or doesn’t want to tell the public". OK, so what. This is called "negotiation" or "I haven't made my mind up" or "I don't want Melbourne supporters booing me as well" isn't it? You then ask "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 the NRL". I would have researched the NRL to see why this is in fact the case. I always figured that if Ablett had told Geelong he was going mid-way through the season he would have been dropped (can anyone support this?). Paul Roos also stated that he would drop any player in his 2010 team that was going to the Gold Coast. Does this not answer your question as to why they don't announce their intentions? Your final line "The introduction of free agency is inevitable and it will benefit our game in the long run" is inconclusive. You have provided no reasons why. It may be true, and I am keen to know if it is true, but just saying its true is not satisfying me, the reader.