FREE agency is almost certain to continue in its existing form this season despite the AFLPA's push for changes to be incorporated in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement.
The AFLPA is principally seeking to reduce the minimum free agency qualification periods from eight and 10 years (for previous restricted free agents to become unrestricted) to six and eight years.
But the players' union also wants:
- A player who changes clubs as a free agent to remain a free agent for the rest of his career (without the need to serve at least eight years at his new club);
- A player's years of service at one club to transfer with him to a new club (under the proviso he would have to play for at least four years at his new club before becoming eligible for free agency), e.g. a player who plays for four years at Club A would become a free agent after four years at Club B.
The AFL-AFLPA negotiations on the proposed 2017-22 CBA have to date largely focused on the central question of how much of the League's revenue will go to the players over the next six seasons. But the players' union remains reasonably confident of negotiating amendments to free agency at the tail-end of those talks.
It's believed the AFL would resist changing the minimum qualification periods, but could give ground on the union's other proposals.
However, any changes are extremely unlikely to take effect in this year's free agency period, which will open in October.
The AFL and AFLPA agree clubs would need a transition period of at least a year to prepare for an amended system, making 2018 the earliest date for any possible changes.
Compensation picks could also continue to be part of free agency for some time. Although philosophically opposed to compensation, especially for unrestricted free agents, the AFLPA is not expected to push for their removal at this stage.
Club sources believe the upcoming CBA could provide for a review of free agency in three years' time.
