Essendon chairman David Evans says the club supports the rationale of the agreement between the AFL and AFL Players Association (AFLPA) announced today to introduce various categories of free agency for AFL players.

 

""We believe the AFL has tried to find a balance that underpins the salary cap and draft while providing more choice for the players,"" Evans said.

 

“We endorse the AFL's collaborative process with the clubs and the negotiation process with the ALFPA and while there are some areas around the margin that could be up for debate - such as the compensation model - we are supportive of today's announcement.

  
“While Essendon is supportive of this announcement, it is important for our fans to know we remain totally committed to making sure Essendon retains and builds the best playing list it possibly can as we strive for another premiership.""
 
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In a detailed media release today the AFL said:
 
The agreement, which will commence in 2012, follows extensive negotiations between the AFL, AFLPA and Policy Development Group, which included representatives from AFL clubs.
 
The agreement achieves a balance between increasing the choices available to players, greater flexibility for clubs to manage their lists and also takes into account the interests of members and supporters.
 
A key feature of the new agreement will be the ability of clubs to match any offer from a rival club for a leading player on its list. If the offer is matched, the player can choose to remain with his current club, be traded or nominate for the AFL Draft.
 
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said the agreement maintained the competitive balance of the AFL competition, which is unrivalled by any sport in Australia.
 
“We believe this agreement is a positive outcome for players and the AFL competition. Importantly, the agreement protects the integrity of the salary cap and draft -- key pillars in the ongoing success of the competition,” he said.
 
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Mr Demetriou thanked the AFL’s General Manager of Football Operations, Adrian Anderson, the AFLPA and its CEO Matt Finnis and the AFL clubs for working co-operatively to achieve a sensible and workable agreement for all parties.
 
Mr Anderson, said the AFL had entered negotiations with the AFLPA in good faith as part of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and was pleased they could reach an outcome that balanced the needs of players, the needs of the competition while creating safeguards for clubs to maintain key players.
 
“The agreed model is fair for all concerned in that it gives players more flexibility but also contains safeguards that will help maintain the evenness of the competition,” he said.

 

The AFLPA Chief Executive Officer, Matt Finnis, said that securing a more flexible labour market for AFL players has been a key objective for the association for several years.

 
“We’ve struck a balance between respecting the culture and traditions of our competition, whilst acknowledging the rights of players for increased self determination.  This is an outcome that is good for Players, Clubs and the game,” Mr Finnis said.
 
“We’re pleased to be able to introduce a model of free agency which is uniquely structured to suit the AFL competition.  Our campaign for free agency has never been about revolution – rather it has been focused on improving a system which has helped to secure the AFL competition as the pre-eminent professional team sport in the country.”
 
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Under the agreement:
  • Players delisted by a club on or before 31 October will be unrestricted free agents.
  • Players who are not in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their clubs will be eligible for unrestricted free agency if they have served eight years on the primary list of the club.
  • Players who are in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their club will be eligible for restricted free agency for their first new contract after they have served eight years on the primary list of the club. This is the case regardless of when the first new contract arises. For example, a player who is contracted after his seventh year for 2, 3, 4 or years will still only be eligible for restricted free agency for his next contracts as a 9, 10, or 11 year player.
  • A top 25 per cent player will then be eligible for unrestricted free agency for his next contract, provided that a player can’t be an unrestricted free agent until completing at least 10 years service at one clubs.
  • Restricted free agents have the right to move to a club of their choice subject to the current club’s right of first refusal over their services. That is, if the current club can match the offer from a rival club, the player must stay or enter the draft. The tabled offer only includes capped salary and capped ASA amounts.
  • Compensation in the form of AFL allocated draft picks will apply to clubs with a net loss of free agents. This will be based on a formula to be determined by the AFL.
  • The Veterans List allowance will be amended to apply to players with 10 years service at one club and will be based on a set amount of TPP per player calculated as a percentage of TPP.
  • The AFL will closely monitor access to uncapped third party independent arrangements.
  • All player investments with associates must be lodged with the AFL. 

The new system will commence at the end of 2012 after the entry of Team GWS into the competition. It will remain in place until the end of 2016 when it will be reviewed.

 
The AFLPA and AFL said the new system would give greater flexibility to players and clubs, with the NAB national draft, pre-season and rookie drafts and AFL trade period to remain in place.
 
A Policy Development Group was set up to negotiate with the AFLPA. As well as AFL officials, it included the following club representatives: Steven Trigg (Adelaide CEO), Andrew Ireland (Sydney Swans CEO), Peter Rohde (Port Adelaide General Manager Football), Chris Pelchen (Hawthorn Recruiting and List Manager), Scott Clayton (Gold Coast Recruiting and List Manager).
 
HOW THE NEW SYSTEM WILL WORK –
 
1. A player has served seven seasons or less of AFL football at one club, and is now out of contract.
 
The player is not eligible for free agency if his club wishes to retain him. He may only move clubs via a trade or the Draft. If he delists himself, he is subject to the Draft, and may be selected by any club.
 
2. A player has served seven seasons or less of AFL football at one club, and has been delisted by his club.
 
The player is a Free Agent and is eligible to field offers from all rival AFL clubs.

The player must decide on the best offer of his choice from one rival club.

The player can move AUTOMATICALLY to the new club of his choice.

His original club, which chose to delist him, does not receive any compensation pick for the loss of the player.

 

3. A player has served eight or more seasons of AFL football at one club, is one of the 10 highest-paid players at his club, and is now out of contract for the first time since reaching eight seasons of service.
 

The player is eligible to field offers from all rival AFL clubs.

If he wishes to change clubs, the player must decide on the best offer of his choice from one rival club.

His club has the right to match the presented offer.

If the club matches the offer, he may choose to remain with his original club, seek a trade or enter the Draft.

If the club does not or can not match the offer, the player can move to the new club of his choice.

His original club will receive a compensation pick for the loss of the player, on an AFL-determined formula to apply where clubs lose more free agents than they gain in any single transfer period.

 
4. A player has served eight or more seasons of AFL football at one club, is NOT one of the 10 highest-paid players at his club, and is now out of contract for the first time since reaching eight seasons of service.
 

The player is eligible to field offers from all rival AFL clubs.

If he wishes to change clubs, the player must decide on the best offer of his choice from one rival club.

His club does NOT have the right to match the presented offer, and the player can move AUTOMATICALLY to the new club of his choice.

His original club will receive a compensation pick for the loss of the player, on an AFL-determined formula.

 
5. A player has served ten or more seasons of AFL football at one club, has already come out of contract once in the period after serving his first eight or more seasons at his club, and is now out of contract.
 

The player is eligible to field offers from all rival clubs.

If he wishes to change clubs, the player must decide on the best offer of his choice from one rival club.

His club does NOT have the right to match the presented offer, and the player can move AUTOMATICALLY to the new club of his choice.

His original club will receive a compensation pick for the loss of the player, on an AFL-determined formula.