What this means is that even if a player has played 10 seasons (like BJ will have done by the end of 2012) that is not enough to ensure the player can become an unrestricted free agent. He must also have been out of contract once AFTER having played 8 seasons. Hence, because BJ was signed up to an extended contract in 2009, at the end of his 7th season, St Kilda will be able to match the offer of ANY club that wants to poach him, EVEN THOUGH he will have played 10 seasons.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.
I use BJ as an example, but the same is true for any of our guns. Obviously I hope that we keep them all because they choose to stay. And if any want to go, then I would not stand in their way, but I would want our club to get the best possible deal. So, in the example of BJ, then our bargaining position is good, because we would have the power to match any bid from another club. In reality I don't think that we would use this power, as it would be silly to spend a fortune on a player who would not want to stay, but the point is that it would force a club to trade equitably with us - they would not be able to bully us by simply waiting for the player to walk via the free agency rule.
What about the other guns.....
Lenny, signed to end 2012; can't believe that he would go
Roo, signed to end 2013; will be 31 at the end of this contract
NDS, signed to end 2013; will be 30 by end of this contract
Joey, signed to end 2012; contract extension at end 2009 (8th season) = is VULNERABLE
Sam Fisher, signed to end 2012, club able to match any offer
The points are.....
1/ The priority for 2012 is to re-sign Joey first, then BJ, as he is more vulnerable.
2/ We MUST have enough $$ available to defend any losses to free agency (Sam Fish, BJ) - luckily for us in 2013, the vet rules change such that we will be able to place $600-800k OUTSIDE the salary cap. The only other club in this boat is the Cats. (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/v ... 1ll89.html)
3/ It is important to aim to tie your gun players to a 3 year contract from the end of their 7th year with the club, to ensure maximum leverage come the end of that contract should they wish to leave.
