With free agency beginning it’s third season this year, a lot has been said about the merit or otherwise of the system. Some have suggested it only favours the players, others think it advantages the successful clubs.
Those such as Paul Roos have had even stronger views on the system.
The one thing it is doing is changing the way clubs think and act – which I think is in part responsible for the high level of potential player movement during trade week and even more significantly partly responsible for the recent coaching moves we have seen.
In this new era where clubs have to be more aware of contractual status of their players, the likelihood of a player deciding to up and leave a team which is struggling has increased. Not only is it easier for them to move, they now have a say in where they want to go.
This increase in freedom of choice in where a player might head, increases the chances of them considering a move.
But how does all this change things for the club?
We’ve seen a number of examples of players coming out of contract and being eligible for free agency delay contract talks – from the evidence so far, very few players who delay signing a contract end up staying where they are.
So clubs are now looking at being proactive and trying to anticipate a player’s next move. The Bulldogs cashed in on Brian Lake’s value a year before he would be eligible for free agency – they gained a second or third round draft pick where as another 12 months on their list may have seen him move without compensation.
Recent trade talk has suggested that Adelaide may consider a bid for Patrick Dangerfield? With him coming out of contract and eligible for free agency next year, and the go home factor being talked up in the media, are Adelaide just doing their sums and trying to anticipate whether or not to get in early?
Are they trying to gain maximum value for him now, rather than risk what compensation they may be granted in a years time?
Imagine the difference trading Buddy Franklin would have had for Hawthorn – pretty sure they would have received more than pick 19 if they had tried to trade Franklin 12 months earlier.
The flow on effect of the increased freedom of movement for players and the potential threat of losing a player to free agency now puts the power in the players court in more ways than one. Clearly on an individual basis players have more choice, and perhaps an extra bargaining chip for their managers to use to get them an extra year or $50K on their contracts.
But is it also giving greater power to the playing group in matters relating to the coach? While there is no solid evidence that any one player, or group of players, was directly responsible for removing either Brenton Sanderson or Guy McKenna, surely the threat of “losing the players” carries much more weight when players have more freedom to move.
Is it coincidence that Dangerfield is a free agent next year and the coach was removed twelve months prior to Dangerfield’s contract expiring – he had not yet committed to a new contract and with Tex Walker and Rory Sloane also out of contract just how important was it for the Adelaide Football Club to have a coach who had the trust and belief of the senior group?
Were the consequences of another mediocre year under Sanderson the risk of losing one or more of these players?
Suddenly a coach who may have one or two star players coming out of contract and eligible for free agency has a lot to think about in regards to list management and man management.
While we wait for the Gold Coast Suns to reveal exactly why they thought Guy McKenna wasn’t the man to lead them forward, Gary Ablett Jr, the game’s best player and undoubtedly a player with enormous influence at the Suns, was on the verge of a contract renewal but hadn’t yet signed.
Is it possible that the club may have had doubts over Ablett extending his career if the coach was thought to not be able to deliver on the expected success?
Free agency has changed the landscape of football, for the better in terms of individual player’s freedom of movement, but perhaps too may have made the task of coaching that much harder.
I wonder what the relationship between Damian Hardwick and Trent Cotchin is like?
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
For too long, St Kilda have alternated between minnow and mid-table - and it’s hard to see when it’s going to get better.
If the Lions are clever they can use this season as a passing of the guard season and send off some very talented players whilst also trying to be competitive.
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
Jack Higgins' three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir has been upheld after a marathon three and a half-hour…
The former Collingwood president says the Kangaroos need to 'stand for something' not just on the field but in the community or risk being…
The All-Australian player has been below his best this year, and Matthew Lloyd has suggested that he be moved more into the midfield to…
