Trade Period: The Age ranks us LAST

[Lazza]

[Pies4shaw]

I think there's probably a broader debate to be had about whether the people who watch the game - and are ultimately the reason it is able to generate large quantities of money - want a competition that is run principally for the benefit of the professional players competing in it or for the benefit of the clubs the watchers support.

The players are paid reasonably well. Many other well-paid occupations impose constraints upon how the participants can act and operate. It is not necessary to start on the assumption that players should be able to maximise their earnings. Free agency is only "necessary" from the players' perspective. There's nothing immutable about it.

[John Wren]

[Pies4shaw]

$10.071 million in 2015, according to the AFL. That's about $250,000 per listed player, on average, I guess (I'm not entirely sure at this stage whether the figures stated include rookie payments etc).

I also specifically mention this change, which I hadn't previously noticed: "If clubs spend less than the salary cap in one season they will be able to spend more than the cap the following season."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-05/salary-cap-safeguards-for-players-confirmed

THE AFL has confirmed the salary cap will rise beyond $10 million next season.

The cap will rise by $150,000 in each of the next two years, taking the Total Player Payments limit to $10.071 million in 2015 and $10.36 million in 2016.

Both the League and the AFL Players' Association confirmed the change after the two parties wrapped up the mid-term review of the players' collective bargaining agreement.


Player development managers to be exempt from spending cap

A number of other key matters were agreed upon as part of the review:

- If clubs spend less than the salary cap in one season they will be able to spend more than the cap the following season.

- The AFL has agreed to contribute an extra $7 million towards the existing AFL players’ player retirement fund.

- The AFL will provide $1 million over the next two years to be used for the establishment of a lifetime health care fund for retired players.


Click here to read the AFL's full statement on equalisation

- The provision of short-term income protection for players who are delisted due to a football injury.

"Negotiations were highly constructive and the review has enhanced the benefits available for both present and past AFL players," AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said.

Equalisation changes explained

Acting players' association chief executive Ian Prendergast added: "We have been able to negotiate further benefits to players as we continue the push towards delivering a truly first-class sporting workplace."

[RudeBoy]

[jackcass]

[Joel]

Who the f@#$ rates a trade period before it even has started?

[Piesnchess]

IF we get Dangerfield, this little prick author will have egg all over his moosh. !

[RudeBoy]

[CarringbushCigar]

maybe try rearranging that sentence to keep it in the PG guidelines

[Flashman]