Free agency for the AFL and the Tigers

The AFL has a model of free agency that will be introduced into the AFL competition after the 2012 season.

Here is Richmond CEO Brendon Gale’s response to the AFL’s announcement of a free agency agreement.

"Yesterday, the AFL Commission confirmed that after two and a half years of negotiations between the AFL and AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA), a model of free agency would be introduced into the AFL competition after the 2012 season.

This is a positive and fair outcome for the industry. The agreement strikes a balance between recognising the right of players to have more control over the direction of their football careers, while also recognising the AFL’s legitimate interest in maintaining high levels of competitive balance. Both the AFL and AFLPA should be commended on this win/win deal.

Many would be aware that in my previous role as CEO of the AFL Players’ Association, I was a strong advocate for free agency. When I departed the AFLPA to take over as Richmond’s CEO in September 2009, there already was a meeting of minds between the AFL and AFLPA on the broader principles underpinning free agency. Therefore, it was my understanding that it would only be a matter of months before the arrangements were finally negotiated and settled.

When my move back to Tigerland took place, my thoughts immediately turned to ensuring the Club was well placed to not only deal with the advent of free agency, but to flourish under the system.

Rest assured that in the six months since, we have been busy positioning ourselves to take full advantage of the opportunities that will be provided by free agency. We are confident that we are well on the way to providing a motivating, high-performance, working environment that will ensure we not only retain our key players, but attract players from other league clubs, who will add value to our list.

A high-performance environment is about the character, capacity and conviction of our people. It’s about our culture - and it’s about our facilities, which, when completed, will be the best in the AFL, all things considered.

We have also taken steps to ensure that we maximise, in particular, the opportunities that will be afforded through a more deregulated player labour market, from 2012 onwards. In December 2009, we appointed highly-respected former Port Adelaide National Recruiting Officer, Blair Hartley, as our List and Opposition Analyst. One of Blair’s key areas of responsibility will be detailed analysis of opposition clubs’ lists and identification of free agent prospects.

In summation, this has been a collaborative and fair process involving the AFL, AFLPA and clubs. Importantly, this is a just outcome.

Far from fearing free agency, we, as a club, look forward to capitalising on our opportunities within the new framework.