Manipulating the Free Agency

[flipper83]

I think we're already getting a glimpse of how clubs will look to manipulate the free agency.
Collingwood has signed Lynch but looks set to trade out Dawes. They're players who play very similar roles but Dawes is 5 or 6 years younger so you wonder why Collingwood would be doing it. I think the answer is that they get Lynch for free and then by trading Dawes they get a decent draft pick as well. They've effectively gained a draft pick without losing out in their list. Then when Lynch is ready to retire there will be someone else they can grab via free agency.
I think we'll see more of these types of manipulations in the future.
What does everyone else think?

 

[MiiRa]

Manipulation?....It's business

 

[HFF]

lol manipulation?

 

[flipper83]

They are manipulating the system but by no means am I saying that they shouldn't do it or that it's a bad thing. Just making an observation.

 

[MiiRa]

I know what you mean dude, you're somewhat right, I just think the word 'manipulation' is not the right word you're looking for. I see the word manipulation as being a devious act, exploiting something in a way which is not the standard and would be frowned upon by others. That could be just me though.

To an extent I agree with you, but its just smart business....looking forward to the future. IMO, not manipulation.

 

[hawker39]

To me, one thing is clear highly resourced/wealthy teams win as do the players.

 

[shotgun_blues]

To me, one thing is clear highly resourced/wealthy teams win as do the players.

For sure, for the weaker teams especially Port, Dogs & North winning a flag just got much harder, (no disrespect to those clubs) they will be raided of established senior 22 players in the peak of the careers looking for an opportunity to win a flag or go to a big club. They'll replace these players with higher draft picks and the cycle will repeat endlessly. Clubs will already be targeting players a year or two out from now.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

More commonly known as 'list management'.

 

[thedaz47]

For sure, for the weaker teams especially Port, Dogs & North winning a flag just got much harder, (no disrespect to those clubs) they will be raided of established senior 22 players in the peak of the careers looking for an opportunity to win a flag or go to a big club. They'll replace these players with higher draft picks and the cycle will repeat endlessly. Clubs will already be targeting players a year or two out from now.

Add Geelong to that, along with Adelaide, West Coast, and Freo when players of SA or WA origins come out of contract. Hopefully Port can fix their brand with the Adelaide Oval move and also benefit.

 

[Footy Mad]

To me, one thing is clear highly resourced/wealthy teams win as do the players.

Not sure I quite agree with that. Its very hard to judge after just one year. However, over the long term I would suggest Free agents are going to be attracted for various reasons

a/ Your club is in a premiership window
b/ More opportunities elsewhere therefore your ability to extent your career.
c/ Sadly, dont think you can rule out money or the "go home" factor

I think now its just easier to get where you want to go. However, its still up to the "chasing" club to sell the virtues of their football club or place themselves in a premiership window to attract the best. Power is now very much with the players eligible & less with the club and hence the fans. Hence why Id not be surprised if clubs and fans dont like it.

 

[Tetley Tigers]

The salary cap will temper the richer clubs, every club can offer good money to attract big name players.

 

[headache1]

I know what you mean dude, you're somewhat right, I just think the word 'manipulation' is not the right word you're looking for. I see the word manipulation as being a devious act, exploiting something in a way which is not the standard and would be frowned upon by others. That could be just me though.

To an extent I agree with you, but its just smart business....looking forward to the future. IMO, not manipulation.

It is absolutely the right word. A lot of people do seem to instantly connect it to being devious, or exploitative, and it certainly can be. But it can also just have the simple meaning of cleverly working a situation to your advantage.

Definition of manipulate

1. handle or control (a tool, mechanism, information, etc.) in a skilful manner

 

[Envelopes]

Yeah I agree, it would be very hard for north to win a premiership from free agency, Oh wait ....

 

[Eastern Rangers]

It's one of the reasons i have no interest in Wellingham, giving away good players for a journeyman while other clubs rack up mature age players of his quality while retaining their draft picks. Disadvantaged from next year and then the disadvantage grows year on year.

 

[thedaz47]

The salary cap will temper the richer clubs, every club can offer good money to attract big name players.

But if everyone has the same cap, I feel, you'll find that players will prioritise big clubs with the best facilities and crowds. Judd was the harbinger, for mine.

 

[Riders of Rohan]

Is anyone else of the opinion that clubs shouldn't receive compo from the afl for a FA leaving? Hardly seems fair that 2 teams can influence the draft of 16 others.

Harsh on the team that lost a player, but ends up ridiculous if say 4 teams all lose a good player, all get mid 1st round compensation and suddenly the difference between 9th and 10th is 5 picks rather than 1.

 

[Two Eyes]

That is a very unlikely scenario given the highest you can get is a pick straight after your 1st rounder.

 

[Docker Dolph]

The only manipulation I'm seeing is the Monfries thing with Port. The might not FA him to max the comp they get for their lost FA's and trade for him instead.

Smart considering Ess won't ask too much for him and PA could probably get him in the PSD too.

That's much closer to manipulation than the OP and its clever thinking from them.

 

[Riders of Rohan]

That is a very unlikely scenario given the highest you can get is a pick straight after your 1st rounder.

I didn't know that, I assumed that all this talk about pick 13 going to saints for Goddard was a mid first rounder, not after their first pick. My bad,

Though still not a fan of it

 

[theGav56]

The other interesting thing for me is that FA provides an opportunity for a player to get a decent payday bonus. Trading out a player like Dawes will effectively reduce his earning potential over the course of his career. Perhaps a club could even use it in negotiating with a player. If a player accepts a reduced 1 year contract for example, which sees him through to qualifying for FA, and a healthy contract.

 

[Andy Brennan]

For sure, for the weaker teams especially Port, Dogs & North winning a flag just got much harder, (no disrespect to those clubs) they will be raided of established senior 22 players in the peak of the careers looking for an opportunity to win a flag or go to a big club. They'll replace these players with higher draft picks and the cycle will repeat endlessly. Clubs will already be targeting players a year or two out from now.

If you were a super optimist, you could argue that struggling clubs might benefit - get rid of players ingrained in a losing culture, use the picks well, and it helps the club rebuild. I don't think that's what will happen, but that's the kind of thing I expect to hear in AFL press releases if people start complaining about FA.

And anyway the rules in terms of earnings and years spent on a list have basically ensured the the majority of FA's are older players looking to change clubs to get one more decent contract/some success (Lynch), or players on the fringes at their club (Knights).

 

[Tas]

The problem is dumb clubs **** it up for everyone else. WTF is Melbourne going to trade for Dawes? WTF is Port going to trade for Monfries?

Seriously... there is always someone doing something stupid.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

 

[Tas]

Exactly my point, us under Laidley and co in charge then were a liability to the competition giving hawks picks for spuds.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Exactly my point, us under Laidley and co in charge then were a liability to the competition giving hawks picks for spuds.

Fair enough, I'm going to assume until proven otherwise that Melbourne are looking for a pick upgrade for taking on Dawes' contract.