If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Agency?

[Eddie Gold]

If Chris Judd choses Collingwood as his preferred option and Trevor Nesbit and his cronies at West Coast won't make a deal, Collingwood should take the whole AFL system to court to establish free agency.

It is only a matter of time before a player or a player manager or a team does this and we may as well do it over the best player in the last 20 years.

Judd should be allowed to pick what team he wants to play for and essentially the Salary Cap will keep the competition even.

Collingwood need the opportunity to leverage their great commercial advantage. This is a major bottleneck to us achieving our goal of being the best team in the league.

Realistically Collingwood suffers because it is just too big and popular for the rest of the AFL. Yet we suffer at the hands of the AFL who won't allow players who want to play for a "Big Club" with a "Big Club" mentality to come to us. The AFL administers an essentially communist system with a few sweeteners for clubs in the bargain.

Collingwood have said we want to be the Manchester United of the AFL. Essentially under the current system, this can never happen. If Manchester United had to contend with a salary cap and a player draft, they would never have won a quater of the EPL premierships they have.

Look at all the other sports, the Bosman ruling in soccer, the NRL players took the early draft system to Court and won hands down.

I say, we go outside the Players Association, which is a "namby pamby" organisation essentially there to make sure the AFL administration get what ever they want.

The Collingwood football club is in a lot of trouble when Caroline Wilson, in the Sunday Age is giving us pity.

The time has come to make a Stand. Revolution is in the Air.

We lost out on Nick Stevens when he passionately wanted to come back to the team he loved.

THE AFL draft is a restraint of trade. If there were ways of getting deals done by giving up future draft choices like the NFL draft in America or if there was an arbitrator to decide on what players are worth in deals like the MBL in America, the system might be flexible enough to allow clubs and the draft to operate effectively. But the current Draft system doesn’t work and therefore someone at some stage has to make a stand to enable the players to be able to move effectively within the system.

If I was a banker, the bank association could not tell me I had to work for the Bendigo Building Society when the CFO job at the National Bank was offered to me and the same thing should happen in the AFL.

Ricky Nixon is ready to go to Court for his players as well because the current system just doesn't work. There is very very limited mobility for players. This is not right.

 

[morgoth]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Definatley not, if Judd chooses the Pies we have to come up with a satisfactory trade or accept that we miss out.

West Coast will deal if the offer is fair it is that simple.

 

[mango]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

If Chris Judd choses Collingwood as his preferred option and Trevor Nesbit and his cronies at West Coast won't make a deal, Collingwood should take the whole AFL system to court to establish free agency.

It is only a matter of time before a player or a player manager or a team does this and we may as well do it over the best player in the last 20 years.

Judd should be allowed to pick what team he wants to play for and essentially the Salary Cap will keep the competition even.

Collingwood need the opportunity to leverage their great commercial advantage. This is a major bottleneck to us achieving our goal of being the best team in the league.

Realistically Collingwood suffers because it is just too big and popular for the rest of the AFL. Yet we suffer at the hands of the AFL who won't allow players who want to play for a "Big Club" with a "Big Club" mentality to come to us. The AFL administers an essentially communist system with a few sweeteners for clubs in the bargain.

Collingwood have said we want to be the Manchester United of the AFL. Essentially under the current system, this can never happen. If Manchester United had to contend with a salary cap and a player draft, they would never have won a quater of the EPL premierships they have.

Look at all the other sports, the Bosman ruling in soccer, the NRL players took the early draft system to Court and won hands down.

I say, we go outside the Players Association, which is a "namby pamby" organisation essentially there to make sure the AFL administration get what ever they want.

The Collingwood football club is in a lot of trouble when Caroline Wilson, in the Sunday Age is giving us pity.

The time has come to make a Stand. Revolution is in the Air.

We lost out on Nick Stevens when he passionately wanted to come back to the team he loved.

THE AFL draft is a restraint of trade. If there were ways of getting deals done by giving up future draft choices like the NFL draft in America or if there was an arbitrator to decide on what players are worth in deals like the MBL in America, the system might be flexible enough to allow clubs and the draft to operate effectively. But the current Draft system doesn’t work and therefore someone at some stage has to make a stand to enable the players to be able to move effectively within the system.

If I was a banker, the bank association could not tell me I had to work for the Bendigo Building Society when the CFO job at the National Bank was offered to me and the same thing should happen in the AFL.

Ricky Nixon is ready to go to Court for his players as well because the current system just doesn't work. There is very very limited mobility for players. This is not right.

what a crock

we need a salary cap to prevent the afl turning into the lopsided joke that is the epl

much as id love to see my team win a flag every 2/3 seasons, i wouldnt derive any satisfaction from those wins knowing that theyd only be made possible because we had one of the fattest wallets going around

 

[plod]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Will the read Eddie stand up?

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Collingwood went to court as you suggest. Not sure if the case would hold up though. I expect the AFL is worried.

 

[Total_Juddshanks]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

If Collingwood want Chris Judd, they'll need to make a reasonable offer, simple as that.

Having looked at the list of 'untradeables' Collingwood fans have been trotting out over the last week, its hard not to just shake your head and laugh yourself silly.

Repeat after me: This is the best player in the competition we are talking about. You are not going to get him by trading Alan Didak, late draft picks, and blokes outside your best 22. End of discussion.

If Lance Franklin put his hand up to come home, everyone and everything would be on the table at West Coast other than Cox, Kerr and Glass.

 

[Bestbird]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Free agency wouldn't affect the non victorian clubs at all

It would however likely mean the demise of several Melboune as the better players will gravitate to the more powerfull clubs

The salary cap would only be a minor impedance IMO

As an Eagles it wouldn't bother me

As an AFL supporter it would

 

[DarthTed]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

If Chris Judd choses Collingwood as his preferred option and Trevor Nesbit and his cronies at West Coast won't make a deal, Collingwood should take the whole AFL system to court to establish free agency.

It is only a matter of time before a player or a player manager or a team does this and we may as well do it over the best player in the last 20 years.

Judd should be allowed to pick what team he wants to play for and essentially the Salary Cap will keep the competition even.

Collingwood need the opportunity to leverage their great commercial advantage. This is a major bottleneck to us achieving our goal of being the best team in the league.

Realistically Collingwood suffers because it is just too big and popular for the rest of the AFL. Yet we suffer at the hands of the AFL who won't allow players who want to play for a "Big Club" with a "Big Club" mentality to come to us. The AFL administers an essentially communist system with a few sweeteners for clubs in the bargain.

Collingwood have said we want to be the Manchester United of the AFL. Essentially under the current system, this can never happen. If Manchester United had to contend with a salary cap and a player draft, they would never have won a quater of the EPL premierships they have.

Look at all the other sports, the Bosman ruling in soccer, the NRL players took the early draft system to Court and won hands down.

I say, we go outside the Players Association, which is a "namby pamby" organisation essentially there to make sure the AFL administration get what ever they want.

The Collingwood football club is in a lot of trouble when Caroline Wilson, in the Sunday Age is giving us pity.

The time has come to make a Stand. Revolution is in the Air.

We lost out on Nick Stevens when he passionately wanted to come back to the team he loved.

THE AFL draft is a restraint of trade. If there were ways of getting deals done by giving up future draft choices like the NFL draft in America or if there was an arbitrator to decide on what players are worth in deals like the MBL in America, the system might be flexible enough to allow clubs and the draft to operate effectively. But the current Draft system doesn’t work and therefore someone at some stage has to make a stand to enable the players to be able to move effectively within the system.

If I was a banker, the bank association could not tell me I had to work for the Bendigo Building Society when the CFO job at the National Bank was offered to me and the same thing should happen in the AFL.

Ricky Nixon is ready to go to Court for his players as well because the current system just doesn't work. There is very very limited mobility for players. This is not right.

You're taking the piss, right? I hope so for your sake. Collingwood can want to be whatever they want but they are in a league where it can't happen. If they prefer the rules in another league then feel free to take off and play there instead, the AFL will go on without Collingwood but Collingwood cannot go on without the AFL. Just remember that before going off on another ridiculous rant.

 

[Philhawk]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Wondered how long it was before Collingwood or one of the other 'rich' clubs fans' started advocating free agency.

That's what makes the AFL so unique and amazing in comparison to other sports. Being 'tied' to a club promotes fair trade and none of this EPL 'no-loyalty' nonsense where players can be lost for nothing.

 

[DarthTed]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Wondered how long it was before Collingwood or one of the other 'rich' clubs fans' started advocating free agency.

That's what makes the AFL so unique and amazing in comparison to other sports. Being 'tied' to a club promotes fair trade and none of this EPL 'no-loyalty' nonsense where players can be lost for nothing.

Good or bad, free agency is coming in some form or another.

 

[gandaal]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

The Collingwood midfielders have rejected Judd regardless:

http://www.thebladder.com.au/modules/readingroom/article.php?id=76

 

[HFF]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

The Collingwood midfielders have rejected Judd regardless:

http://www.thebladder.com.au/modules/readingroom/article.php?id=76

LMAOOO. I love the part where they said parking at the lexus centre wasn't so great and the Hawks' standards on hairstyles.

Funny read though nonetheless.

 

[Eddie Gold]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,22054847-23211,00.html?from=public_rss

Push to liberalise player market
By Mark Robinson


THE AFL Players' Association wants the AFL to introduce free agency as early as next year.

No time frame has been officially proposed, but the AFLPA is adamant it wants drastic changes to the "unnecessary and unfairly rigid" rules governing players.

"We want to see a loosening up of the internal labour market for footballers," AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale said last night.

"We think freeing up, liberalising it, would be in the best interests of the competition, for clubs, and would benefit players. We've identified the issues and we've got solutions we think are in the best interest of the competition."

The AFLPA and the AFL last year failed to agree on conditions for free agency, but formed a working party.

Gale predicted discussions with the AFL would be "long and arduous".





It is time the Collingwood football club gave the AFL a boot up the backside. Christopher Judd is reason enough to get out the boots with the reinforced steel toes.

We have been carrying the league and subsidising about 5 teams through the equalisation plan for about 16 years for very little gain for our Club. Every time one of the Clubs who is on a life support drip effectively directly from the Collingwood football club beat us, it is like a dagger through our hearts.

We deserve better. In any relationship there needs to be give and take. The Collingwood football Club gives to the AFL immensely both financiallly and as a promotional tool, without getting anything at all in advantage except a couple of games at the MCG. Even then that deal was brokered only so interstate teams could get home Preliminary finals.

The AFL have used the Collingwood football Club as it's crutch for too long. It is time for Collingwood to get more in return for the amount we give.

Free Agency is inevitable. It is only a matter of time. The Players Association is taking the slowest train possible to get there. It is time the Collingwood football club put a "bomb" underneath the whole issue. A player like Chris Judd is reason enough to light that BOMB.

 

[DarthTed]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,22054847-23211,00.html?from=public_rss

Push to liberalise player market
By Mark Robinson


THE AFL Players' Association wants the AFL to introduce free agency as early as next year.

No time frame has been officially proposed, but the AFLPA is adamant it wants drastic changes to the "unnecessary and unfairly rigid" rules governing players.

"We want to see a loosening up of the internal labour market for footballers," AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale said last night.

"We think freeing up, liberalising it, would be in the best interests of the competition, for clubs, and would benefit players. We've identified the issues and we've got solutions we think are in the best interest of the competition."

The AFLPA and the AFL last year failed to agree on conditions for free agency, but formed a working party.

Clubs were asked for their view and offered their input earlier this year. The AFLPA delivered its discussion document to the AFL last week, outlining its proposals for player managers at a conference on Monday.

The centrepiece of its document revolved around restricted and unrestricted free agency, which would allow players to move more easily between clubs.

Restricted free agency would enable a player after, say, four years, to go to the club of his choice.

His club would still have the power to match the offer of an opposition club. If his club did so, the player would stay.

For example, if Western Bulldogs offered a player $300,000 and Hawthorn offered $400,000, the Bulldogs would have to match the $400,000 offer. The Hawks would be allowed just one offer.

Unrestricted free agency would mean a player after, say, seven years, would be able to go to the club of his choice. All that club would be required to do was fit the player into its salary cap.

"Basically, players out of contract would be free to go and look at other opportunities without resorting to the trade week or pre-season draft," Gale said.

He said the time span that would allow players to move under free agency was still to be determined.

Gale said players didn't have the power to "ply their trade" at another club when situations arose, as they did last year, when players weren't recontracted before trade week, were not traded, and then were delisted.

He said free agency was not always about the league's superstars swapping clubs for more money.

"There's a lot of really disappointing situations and we don't think it's fair," Gale said.

"We support the salary cap and the national draft as a means to maintain competitive balance.

"But the rules to regulate the players, we think, are the most rigid and inflexible of any of the elite sports in the world.

"Ours are the most rigid and it leads to unfair outcomes.

"We think the time is right to reconsider those."

Gale predicted discussions with the AFL would be "long and arduous".

What's your point? Free agency is coming in some form, no doubt about that. Not sure how that equates to a club taking the issue to court over a player who may or may not qualify for free agency under whatever model is introduced.

 

[tandino]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Collingwood don't have a god given right to every talented footballer in Australia.

It's good for the competition that Collingwood will never, ever, be a Manchester United. And if you believe otherwise, you are more stupid than your opening post makes you out to be.

 

[spEKTre]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are about to announce a massive sponsorship deal with the West Coast Eagles, when Free Agency comes in then I am more than confident we will have the "All Australian 22" as our first 22 and the second 22 as our backups.....you want this mate ?

Also if Collingwood is the biggest and best club in this country I demand that they have restrictions and sanctions placed on them now! to even the comp up a little then.

 

[Mattlowry]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

No. No. No. NO.....

As i said in another thread, it would unfairly benefit Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, West Coast and Adelaide. The biggest sides in states with more than one team. Players are more likely to have supported these teams as a kid and are more likely to want to go their due to their media exposure and general quality of faciltities.

The system is fine as it is. Ensures a more even competition. Its better for AFL players to have a free agency so i dont blame them, but far out its shithouse for the AFL itself. The AFLPA has once again shown its a piece of crap that cares little about the quality of the league.

 

[woosh_era]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Yes please.

Wont happen though.

 

[Eddie Gold]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

If the AFL don't put in a Free Agency system soon, on their own terms i.e. based on 8 years service, then the Courts will make it an open house and the AFL wont be able to put some sort of hold and control on their own backyard anyway.

You Western Australian guys are talking about no Salary Cap. Effectively the Salary Cap stops teams from being able to just buy every player in the competition.

Free Agency enables players based on a "price" to pick the Club of their choice based on:-

a) salary
b) location
c) club supported as a kid
d) family

etc etc.

It is not open slather. Just a system which gives the flexibility necessary to get a normal free market working.

If we hit the trade deadline with the second significant deal of a player coming back to Victoria not able to get to the Club they desire to go to (after Nick Stevens) then we have a problem in the current system that needs to be rectified.

There is two ways to do it, the easy way through the Players Association buy in or the hard way which puts pressure on all interest groups.

The AFL can do it on their own terms or wait for someone to be pished off enough to take them head on and blow the whole thing out of the water.

But they better hurry. If Christopher Judd does not get to the team of his choice, the ramifications could ring throughout the halls of the AFL for years to come.

 

[FIGJAM]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

No. No. No. NO.....

As i said in another thread, it would unfairly benefit Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, West Coast and Adelaide. The biggest sides in states with more than one team. Players are more likely to have supported these teams as a kid and are more likely to want to go their due to their media exposure and general quality of faciltities.

The system is fine as it is. Ensures a more even competition. Its better for AFL players to have a free agency so i dont blame them, but far out its shithouse for the AFL itself. The AFLPA has once again shown its a piece of crap that cares little about the quality of the league.

The NBA seems to run fairly evenly despite free agency and teams of varying wealth. The inverse draft and salary cap keeps it regulated.

Not that I am advocating it, just that I think the fear of free agency is exaggerated, especially by the poorer clubs.

 

[Mattlowry]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

The NBA seems to run fairly evenly despite free agency and teams of varying wealth. The inverse draft and salary cap keeps it regulated.

Not that I am advocating it, just that I think the fear of free agency is exaggerated, especially by the poorer clubs.

Its still an unfair advantage, be it big or small. I mean how many people are going to want to go to Kangaroos over Collingwood.

I'm really not trying to pick on the roos, im just talking about the fact that they are unstable at the moment and in a poor financial position (relatively speaking).

 

[recon]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Free agency would kill off at least 2 clubs in Melbourne.

 

[flamethrower]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Free agency would kill off football for many fans.

Player salaries would go through the roof, closely followed by ticket prices.

I wouldn't like paying $200 to see a home and away game, or $2000 for a finals ticket!!!

 

[Dez!]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Free agency would kill off football for many fans.

Player salaries would go through the roof, closely followed by ticket prices.

I wouldn't like paying $200 to see a home and away game, or $2000 for a finals ticket!!!

And then $10000 for a Grand Final ticket.

 

[Dez!]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

The Collingwood midfielders have rejected Judd regardless:

http://www.thebladder.com.au/modules/readingroom/article.php?id=76

Licuria just doesn't want him there because there would be absolutely no chance of him getting a game then, he can't get a game now with Judd there he'll never get another one.

 

[morgoth]

Re: If Judd chooses the Pies and West Coast won't deal, should we take the AFL to court for Free Age

Free agency would kill off football for many fans.

Player salaries would go through the roof, closely followed by ticket prices.

I wouldn't like paying $200 to see a home and away game, or $2000 for a finals ticket!!!

Some people seriously have no idea. As long as the cap is enforced free agency creates no problems at all. It operates in Rugby league and Manly who nearly folded a few years ago will be in the grand final this year. They have no draft and players move freely but the cap is strictly enforced.

I am for free agency as I believe it is a restraint on players rights BUT I do not want my club to go to court to get it. It will come in but only at the instigation of the AFL and AFLPA. If Collingwood went to court we would be stuffed and Eddie knows it. Judd is not worth the cost.