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[SPORTS] · Australia · 3 sources

AFL Players' Association claims free agency system is underused

AFL free agency AFL Players’ Association competitive balance player movement Australian Football League

The AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) has released a review suggesting that the league's free agency system is underutilised and has not materially impacted the competitive balance of the competition.

AFLPA chief executive James Gallagher stated that the gap between top-placed and bottom-placed teams has not changed significantly since the introduction of free agency. The review noted that only 11 per cent of restricted and unrestricted free agents have departed their clubs via trades or free agency, while 53 per cent have re-signed.

Data from the review shows that only nine free agent additions have been part of premiership-winning teams. This figure is lower than other player acquisition methods, such as national draftees (156), traded players (71), and academy graduates (11).

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has indicated that the league may consider overhauling the free agency mechanism in consultation with the AFLPA to ensure competitive balance is not distorted, potentially as part of upcoming pay negotiations.

Entities

AFL · AFL Players’ Association · Andrew Dillon · James Gallagher · Toby Greene

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

AFL free agency: Players' union claims system is under-used and has not impacted competitive balance [www.watoday.com.au]
AFL free agency: Players' union claims system is under-used and has not impacted competitive balance [www.brisbanetimes.com.au]
AFL free agency: Players' union claims system is under-used and has not impacted competitive balance [www.theage.com.au]