AFL free agency has not materially affected the competition’s balance and is being used less often than intended, according to a review by the players’ union. The AFLPA says the system could be substantially revised during negotiations for the league’s next pay agreement.
James Gallagher, the AFLPA chief executive, said free agency was designed to create a more open player-movement market while improving competitive balance. However, the review found that its impact had been limited.
“Our review suggests free agency is underutilised and hasn’t materially impacted competitive balance either for better or worse,” Gallagher said.
“The gap between the bottom- and top-placed teams in the competition is no different now than what it was before the introduction of free agency.”
The findings come after AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the league would consider changes to the system with the AFLPA, to ensure competitive balance was not distorted.
Only nine free-agent additions have since played in premiership teams, beginning with Hawthorn’s three consecutive flags between 2013 and 2015. By comparison, premiership sides have included 71 traded players, 156 national draftees, 17 father-son selections and 11 academy graduates.
Since free agency began, only 11 per cent of restricted and unrestricted free agents have left their clubs through a trade or free agency. A further 53 per cent re-signed, while 36 per cent were delisted or retired.
An average of seven free agents have changed clubs each year, including two through trades. The annual total has never exceeded 12, with the highest figure recorded in the first off-season of the system.
Free agency eligibility under review
The length of service required to qualify could be among the issues discussed in the next collective bargaining agreement, which expires at the end of 2027. Players currently generally need eight years at a club to become free agents unless they are delisted.
Reducing the threshold to six years would create between 20 and 40 additional free agents. Gallagher said the issue needed to be considered in light of the length of players’ careers and the time it took teams to improve their position on the ladder.
“AFL player careers start with no choice of employer through the draft. The average turnaround time from bottom four to top four on the ladder is seven years – longer than most players’ careers,” he said.
“Player, club and broader industry behaviour has also changed considerably since free agency was introduced 15 years ago. Considering these factors, this will be an important part of discussions during CBA negotiations in the next 12 months.”
Compensation for clubs losing free agents and the role of restricted free agency are also expected to be examined. The power retained by a player’s existing club has prompted questions over whether restricted free agents are genuinely free to move.
Port Adelaide forward Zak Butters and Gold Coast forward Ben King are both planning moves this month, to the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn respectively. Their current clubs have not announced whether they will match the proposed moves while discussions over separate arrangements continue.
The AFL has already blocked a proposed deal involving Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs that would have seen Todd Marshall move while Port paid part of his remaining salary in exchange for two first-round picks. Rules introduced last year prevent clubs involved in a free-agency move from paying another player’s salary in a separate transaction during the same movement period.
