Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield says strike action during the AFL’s pre-season competition remains an option as the AFLPA seeks a better deal for players.
On the day the AFL announced the fixture for its rebadged pre-season competition, the JLT Community Series, Dangerfield told reporters it could be affected by industrial action if the AFL doesn’t resume stalled talks on a new revenue sharing model.
“It’s a chance, I’m not saying it’s a definite possibility, but certainly if nothing gets done then we need to look at all avenues to secure a deal,” Dangerfield said.
“At the moment the AFL isn’t speaking to the PA … we’re not going to get anything done unless the conversation starts.
“Nothing’s off the table at the moment … as (AFLPA chief executive) Paul Marsh has already stated, we haven’t reached an agreement and we’re a fair way away, so it would be good to sit down with the boss (AFL chief Gillon McLachlan) and hopefully strike a deal that’s fair for all parties.”
AFLPA delegates from around the country will convene in the Victorian coastal town of Torquay this week to discuss the stalled negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The AFL has baulked at the players’ demand for a new percentage-based revenue sharing model that they say gives them more incentive to help grow the game.
Dangerfield, a member of the AFLPA board, admitted it was frustrating that the league had broken off talks and reiterated the PA’s firm stance on the issue.
“We have a clear direction from all 850 players, who we represent, and it’s not until we satisfy the needs of those players that we’ll be satisfied,” he said.
“It is a bit (frustrating) … as players there is no game (without us).
“The game starts with us. We’re a part of the AFL, we understand there are other areas of the game that need to be catered for as well – fan engagement and stadiums – but without players there is no competition.”
Bobby
Guest
good on you Cat you seem very reasonable
Bobby
Guest
amen brother
Cat
Roar Guru
In the Australian sports landscape AFL is already the highest paid behind cricket (if match payments are included). About $56k per annum on average ahead of NRL and daylights ahead of A league, netball, basketball and the rest. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-14/the-money-in-australian-sport-is-in-the-afl
Celtic334
Guest
"They are in football for such a short time" - I didn't know they were incapable of getting another job. What's that statistic again, most people hold 12-15 jobs before they retire.
Mark
Guest
The biggest winners of an AFL strike would without doubt be the Melbourne Storm. The Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth A-League sides probably wouldn't do badly either.
Angela
Guest
In most cases, strike action doesn't win sympathy from the public. Unless it's for something really unjust, which is less of an issue today than it was in 1900, strike action tends to alienate people and lose goodwill, particularly the enormous goodwill fans have for AFL (or any professional team sport). I love the footy and really appreciate what the players have to do to get into the top grade and stay there. Injuries are almost par for the course, some of which will effect their lives ever-after. Unless they are very dedicated to study, it also puts further education and training for careers after footie on hold. The footie life is a precarious life, the highs are huge but so are the disappointments which must take a toll not only on the players but their families as well. So, what's a fair reward? As someone here pointed out, if there were no fans there'd be no money to pay anyone anything. So a reasonable deal has to be worked out that keeps the fans, the players and the AFL happy. Negotiations like this are always tricky but not impossible. I understand Dangerfield's frustration but threatening strike action is surely counter-productive.
Maxirius - Expert
Guest
She did not make that argument. Her argument was basically "If you're going to benchmark, then other professional sporting competitions earnings are at least as valid as the average punters"
Paul D
Roar Guru
AFL is never going to be American sports or be on American sport money so please stop making that argument I do like the idea of focusing on life after footy though - if the players association had any brains they'd be feeding special interest stories to the media about players doing it tough after footy. Maybe not Ben Cousins or Brent Guerra though. I daresay increased profits during their career wouldn't have helped their present situation much. I suspect we will see a compromise where the players receive both a fixed portion and a percentage, but a smaller percentage than they are asking for.
TomC
Roar Guru
It would be very interesting to see how that would play out. I really don't know which way public sympathy would break, but the AFL are a difficult organisation to like a lot of the time. The AFL's interests would be best served by getting the clubs to do the bulk of the PR work should a strike happen, but there isn't much to suggest that's the strategy.
Cat
Roar Guru
Won't be getting any from me.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Clubs are far more important than players Paddy. And that is a terrible line from Dangerfield. He and his mates will find out very quick how shallow the well of public sympathy is if they try and draw on it too deeply.
Birdman
Guest
“The game starts with us. We’re a part of the AFL, we understand there are other areas of the game that need to be catered for as well – fan engagement and stadiums – but without players there is no competition.” Paddy old mate, there will always be other players - without the fans you're just a bunch of guys getting some exercise.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Everyone wants the best deal they can get. Nothing new here — both parties are playing hard-ball as usual. It will be resolved without incidence I'm sure, just like every other CBA.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Agreed!
Cat
Roar Guru
I'm certainly not on the players side, if they want more money they have to give up some player movement power.
Birdman
Guest
Dangerfield is risking his carefully crafted brand here being the face of a potential players strike which has bugger all support from the football fan community. I've read a suggestion somewhere that the AFL should sweeten their offer by the same amount that it funds the AFLPA and get the players to fully fund their own association and all the fringe benefits that go with membership.
Cat
Roar Guru
I'm holding off on renewing my membership until this is sorted. Strike = my money will go elsewhere, probably my first Storm membership.
I hate pies
Guest
This won't go down well in the tall poppy culture of Australia.
Joanna
Roar Rookie
I think that the players definitely deserve a percentage of the profits... I understand that people compare their salaries to that of AFL players and think "What are they whinging for?", however, when you look at AFL in comparison to the greater professional sporting industry, their pay is a sparrow-fart in a methane factory. They are the lifeblood of the game and put their bodies on the line. They are in football for such a short time when you compare it to a full life, but the ramifications on a player's body and mind can effect them until the day they die. They deserve fair and equitable remuneration for this, without that devotion, we would not have such an exciting, jaw-dropping game. Give them the cash, I say!
dan
Guest
This won't end well on here