Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is willing to be part of a player protest during AFL pre-season matches as pay negotiations continue.
Pendlebury said it might be time for the players to take a stand, with no clear indication of when their association and the AFL will reach a deal.
The players are adamant they want a fixed percentage of the game’s revenue.
“I think it’s something that we’ve got to fight for, and I don’t think the players are going to blink either,” Pendlebury said on a podcast.
“If the AFL’s not going to blink and the players don’t blink who knows what happens when the ball goes up in that first (pre-season) game.
“I have no qualms sitting down at the first quarter, not at all.”
Pendlebury said he would take the counsel of AFL players association chief executive Paul Marsh.
“You model yourself off what the best businesses in the world have done, and sporting (leagues),” he said.
“The NBA has had two lockouts and played a 50-game season instead of an 82-game season to prove a point that, as players, we need to be more respected than what they felt they were.
“We listen to Marshy, we take his advice.
“If he comes to this football club, and he said ‘Scott, in order to get this deal moving, we need you to sit out the first quarter’…”
Pendlebury also acknowledged that any player action would not be popular with fans.
“They’ll be spewing, and rightly so,” Pendlebury said.
At the end of last month, Marsh said a strike was unlikely, adding it was the last thing the AFLPA wants.
Six years ago, Essendon star Jobe Watson flagged a player sit down at the start of a match to protest against the league’s new substitute rule, but it did not go ahead.
“Jobe Watson’s already put it on the agenda … he’s one of the most respected figures in the game,” Pendlebury said.
Sean Ward
Guest
The players at top afl level last average 4 years one said with speed of game and injuries. How long will 2 kids watching the team sit in where's yoko and john? Last I'll tell you 4/5 minutes. I guess we can have an extra schooner and leave on the siren. Don't want to miss all the action. Or could watch I'm a rough sleeper get me out of here at flinders station ha that's live action no salary cap
Sean Ward
Guest
The window for a top afl player was suggested 4 / 5 years with the increased speed and injuries incurred. Fair enough.The window for parents taking little ones to the footy for a sit down will last 4/5 minutes. Best walk to the game from young and jacksons on the siren. Don't want to miss all the action. Better have another schooner and watch live action across at flinders street. That's rough.
Birdman
Guest
these guys need to stop drinking their own bathwater.
Paul D
Roar Guru
A sit down strike would be the dumbest thing I've seen a group of players ever do on the football field...and I spent three years watching the Lions trying to implement Leppa's gameplan. People all over Australia are struggling for money every day. They will not have sympathy for players striking to go from being wealthy to wealthier.
BackYard Centurion
Guest
Had always respected Pendles, until claiming Jobe Watson was 'one of the most respected figures in the game'. Serious misunderstanding of general public if this is the thought. Unlike a lot of sports when negotiating AFL Players have very little alternative, as there is no overseas competition etc. A lot needs to be fixed with Aust Footy, but not top level player wages.
Cat
Roar Guru
The players are being idiots. If they start with this garbage they can subtract whatever percentage they get from the money I usually put into the game, because I'll be spending my money on a Storm membership instead.
Birdman
Guest
the fans will be spewing alright but their anger will be directed at the players not the AFL on this rare occasion.