DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday 26 March 2012
SIX current Indigenous AFL players will enter the unknown world of free agency after the current season.
The concept, introduced by the AFL this year, allows uncontracted footballers to move to the club of their choice, but only for players who have met certain criteria.
Chance Bateman (Hawthorn), Raphael Clarke (St Kilda), Antoni Grover (Fremantle), Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon -- pictured), Ash McGrath (Brisbane) are unrestricted free agents while Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) is a restricted free agent.
The six Indigenous players are among 62 free agents in the AFL this year.
As unrestricted free agents, Bateman, Clarke, Grover, Lovett-Murray and McGrath have served eight or more seasons at the one club, are not among the top 25 per cent highest-paid players at their clubs, and are now out of contract for the first time since reaching eight seasons of service.
Therefore, these players are eligible to field offers from rival AFL clubs but their current club does not have the right to match the presented offer. His original club, however, will receive a compensation pick for the loss of the player.
Pearce, the AFL's 2006 Rising Star Award winner, is a restricted free agent.
The key difference for Pearce is that Port Adelaide does have the right to match the presented offer and if they do he may choose to remain with his original club. If not, he can seek a trade or enter the draft.
The free agency concept is a form of long-service reward. It came about from AFL players seeking better treatment from their clubs and more flexibility in their careers.
It will come under review after the 2016 season.
From the AFL
Under the arrangement...
• 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 two, three, four or years will still only be eligible for restricted free agency for his next contracts as a nine, 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.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 26/03/2012 17:34