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Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Harley Reid wants a multimillion-dollar mega deal. These are the pitfalls and positives
There are more than 30 players across the league now signed until at least 2030, including Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett, who inked a nine-year deal in June that ties him to the club until the end of 2034. He is the league's longest-signed player. Gold Coast defender Mac Andrew is also on a deal which could extend until 2034, but he must hit certain triggers. Fremantle's Hayden Young is tied to his club through to 2033, while teammate Andrew Brayshaw has signed until 2031. Luke Davies-Uniacke, Max King, Sam Taylor, Connor Rozee, Aaron Naughton, Noah Balta and Connor Idun are among a group contracted until 2032. The debate Industry sources, including list managers and player agents, who spoke to this masthead outlined the pros and potential pitfalls of long-term contracts. But all agreed they were here to stay, unless the AFL legislates change with the AFL Players Association when discussions over the next CBA begin. However, the AFLPA said on Tuesday it had no intention of allowing caps on the length of contracts. It favours the current system, arguing players are already heavily regulated, including having no say on the club they are drafted to, while there are also restrictions on free agency. 'We don't see any reason to change,' interim AFLPA chief executive Ben Smith told RSN this month. It argues long-term contracts will be awarded to a relatively small number of players, pointing out the average length of an AFL career is about six years. The benefits and potential pitfalls of long-term contracts were a topic of discussion at the recent AFL chief executives conference. Safeguards The AFL has introduced what's been dubbed the 'Buddy Franklin rule' – a club's board and executive must sign off on contracts of six or more years. The AFL can also intervene and torpedo the deal, if it feels a club will be financially hamstrung. While this rule ensures there is official transparency between the football department and a club's board, this is still no guarantee the player will flourish. Industry figures contacted by this masthead, for instance, say while Reid is likely to become a superstar, at 20, how can anyone be certain what will transpire over the next decade? The potential pros Security: A long-term deal gives a player – and his family – the financial and emotional security to plan for their future. This helps to retain – and recruit – top talent. Prime years: The club signing the player should have confidence it will reap the best years of the player's career. One recruiting manager said it was important, at times, to be well-researched but also bold in this role, and long-term contracts were now a reflection of this. Salary cap flexibility: While a player may sign a multi-million dollar deal, the money does not have to be paid annually at the same rate. For instance, it could be front-ended, allowing the club greater flexibility to snare more top-end talent years later when the salary cap, as it has always done, increases. Tasmania Devils: The impending addition of the league's 19th club has rivals keen to put their best talent out of arm's reach, at least in the Devils' early years. A long-term contract is the best way to do this, list managers argue. Trade: One potential advantage is that if the player seeks a trade, there can be certainty in the salary the prospective suitor will take on, although this can be reworked. The potential cons Desire: Once the huge pay cheque has been guaranteed, the focus switches to whether that player – now considered a 'franchise cornerstone' – will still have the 'edge' required to reach his full potential. Commitment: As a follow-on to the above point, one veteran recruiter, without giving a specific example, questioned what would happen if a player opted to sit out a year, or even years, over a dispute, or personal issues. 'How does the contract then look in terms of this?' he said. Injuries: If a player is seriously hurt, misses an extended period, then eventually returns to the field but is no longer capable of being an A-grader, the club may find it hard to justify to fans and sponsors the player's huge contract. Loading Concussion and salary cap: The number of players forced into medical retirement because of head trauma is rising. While the AFL provides salary-cap relief for up to three years, with decreasing percentages of relief each year, when a player is recommended to retire by the AFL's medical board, a long-term contract means the club could be on the hook for a long period. While the public debate flares, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter has made it clear what his struggling club thinks about Reid. 'I've got a pen in my pocket, I'm heading over there [to Reid's house] after this,' McQualter joked on 7 News Perth on Monday.
The Age
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Harley Reid wants a multimillion-dollar mega deal. These are the pitfalls and positives
There are more than 30 players across the league now signed until at least 2030, including Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett, who inked a nine-year deal in June that ties him to the club until the end of 2034. He is the league's longest-signed player. Gold Coast defender Mac Andrew is also on a deal which could extend until 2034, but he must hit certain triggers. Fremantle's Hayden Young is tied to his club through to 2033, while teammate Andrew Brayshaw has signed until 2031. Luke Davies-Uniacke, Max King, Sam Taylor, Connor Rozee, Aaron Naughton, Noah Balta and Connor Idun are among a group contracted until 2032. The debate Industry sources, including list managers and player agents, who spoke to this masthead outlined the pros and potential pitfalls of long-term contracts. But all agreed they were here to stay, unless the AFL legislates change with the AFL Players Association when discussions over the next CBA begin. However, the AFLPA said on Tuesday it had no intention of allowing caps on the length of contracts. It favours the current system, arguing players are already heavily regulated, including having no say on the club they are drafted to, while there are also restrictions on free agency. 'We don't see any reason to change,' interim AFLPA chief executive Ben Smith told RSN this month. It argues long-term contracts will be awarded to a relatively small number of players, pointing out the average length of an AFL career is about six years. The benefits and potential pitfalls of long-term contracts were a topic of discussion at the recent AFL chief executives conference. Safeguards The AFL has introduced what's been dubbed the 'Buddy Franklin rule' – a club's board and executive must sign off on contracts of six or more years. The AFL can also intervene and torpedo the deal, if it feels a club will be financially hamstrung. While this rule ensures there is official transparency between the football department and a club's board, this is still no guarantee the player will flourish. Industry figures contacted by this masthead, for instance, say while Reid is likely to become a superstar, at 20, how can anyone be certain what will transpire over the next decade? The potential pros Security: A long-term deal gives a player – and his family – the financial and emotional security to plan for their future. This helps to retain – and recruit – top talent. Prime years: The club signing the player should have confidence it will reap the best years of the player's career. One recruiting manager said it was important, at times, to be well-researched but also bold in this role, and long-term contracts were now a reflection of this. Salary cap flexibility: While a player may sign a multi-million dollar deal, the money does not have to be paid annually at the same rate. For instance, it could be front-ended, allowing the club greater flexibility to snare more top-end talent years later when the salary cap, as it has always done, increases. Tasmania Devils: The impending addition of the league's 19th club has rivals keen to put their best talent out of arm's reach, at least in the Devils' early years. A long-term contract is the best way to do this, list managers argue. Trade: One potential advantage is that if the player seeks a trade, there can be certainty in the salary the prospective suitor will take on, although this can be reworked. The potential cons Desire: Once the huge pay cheque has been guaranteed, the focus switches to whether that player – now considered a 'franchise cornerstone' – will still have the 'edge' required to reach his full potential. Commitment: As a follow-on to the above point, one veteran recruiter, without giving a specific example, questioned what would happen if a player opted to sit out a year, or even years, over a dispute, or personal issues. 'How does the contract then look in terms of this?' he said. Injuries: If a player is seriously hurt, misses an extended period, then eventually returns to the field but is no longer capable of being an A-grader, the club may find it hard to justify to fans and sponsors the player's huge contract. Loading Concussion and salary cap: The number of players forced into medical retirement because of head trauma is rising. While the AFL provides salary-cap relief for up to three years, with decreasing percentages of relief each year, when a player is recommended to retire by the AFL's medical board, a long-term contract means the club could be on the hook for a long period. While the public debate flares, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter has made it clear what his struggling club thinks about Reid. 'I've got a pen in my pocket, I'm heading over there [to Reid's house] after this,' McQualter joked on 7 News Perth on Monday.
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ross Lyon joins chorus of coaches openly criticising AFL over fines and penalties
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says fines are not the solution to solve player discipline as coaches continue to react to an increase in monetary sanctions that is nearing $1m across recent seasons. The tally for fines in 2025 alone is closing in on $500,000 through 17 rounds, with 37 players fined $49,250 in round 16. In the wake of an AFL crackdown on umpire contact this week, which could lead to increased fines or even suspensions, Essendon coach Brad Scott labelled the fine situation as 'outrageous' and Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick questioned how a change could be made mid-season. The AFL Players Association also called for a 'forum' to review the entire match review and tribunal system. 'The AFLPA wrote to the AFL weeks ago to request a forum where the players can sit down and genuinely discuss these issues holistically with the AFL,' AFLPA chief executive Ben Smith said. 'These fines aren't proportionate to the acts committed. 'It's evident to the AFLPA and players that the current MRO and tribunal system is not working and needs to be reviewed and revised, and we look forward to being a part of that process.' St Kilda great and assistant coach, Robert Harvey, met with the umpires last week to help his club navigate the increasingly dicey waters, but Lyon declared just increasing fines was not a way to curb player behaviour. 'I don't think fines are the solution on anything,' he said on Thursday, 'I don't think I've ever fined a player in my life to get a decision or an action. Ultimately, it's all about education and setting a framework. 'Most of (umpire contact) occurs in the centre bounce. The debate from players and midfield coaches with the umpiring fraternity is what's the right exit and protected area. If the principle is, and we know it is, umpire health and safety, it's the right thing to be doing. 'But it's just finding the right solution.' AFL boss Andrew Dillon defended the crackdown and said it was merely reinforcing existing rules. 'There hasn't been a change in policy,' he said. 'This was something that's part of the tribunal guidelines that if there's multiple financial sanctions we can refer it to the tribunal. 'We wrote to the clubs at the start of the year and in again in April advising them we may do that, just to put the players on notice. 'We haven't seen a change in player behaviour, so I advised the club CEOs at a meeting on Tuesday. All the CEOs completely understood the situation. 'What we want to do is avoid the contact where its avoidable. We know it can be done.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Players launch into AFL over mid-season move that could change Brownlow winner
The AFL Players' Association has launched into league officials over a mid-season change to penalties for contact with umpires, which places a number of players at risk of suspension. And it could dramatically change who walks away with the Brownlow Medal this year. Starting on Thursday night, a player charged with careless umpire contact for a fourth time or more during the past two seasons can be referred directly to the tribunal and face possible suspension. It comes after a significant increase in fines for such incidents, with the total amount to exceed a record $1 million over the past 24 months by the end of this season. There's no doubt the umpires need to be protected, but the players' association has called the move "disappointing" and revealed it wasn't consulted before the sudden change. Interim AFLPA boss Ben Smith declared on Wednesday the match review officer and tribunal system is "not working and needs to be reviewed and revised". Smith said: "The safety of umpires is a critical component for the game, and it's one the players wholeheartedly agree with. However, unilaterally deciding to increase the penalties on the playing group to greater extremes without consultation is disappointing. "The AFLPA wrote to the AFL weeks ago to request a forum where the players can sit down and genuinely discuss these issues holistically with the AFL. There are multiple factors that go into the number of fines increasing for careless contact with an umpire, such as additional umpires on the field and greater congestion around the ball, and the players feel the threshold of what constitutes incidental or accidental contact between players and umpires continues to shift. They ultimately believe these fines aren't proportionate to the acts committed." Gold Coast star Matt Rowell is among the players most affected, as he's already been fined three times this season for umpire contact. A fourth offence would likely send him straight to the tribunal for the first time in his career. There have been 63 careless contact fines so far this season - up from 56 last year and only 20 in 2023. But the mid-season change could have an impact on the Brownlow Medal, with Rowell expected to poll well. Any player suspended throughout the season is ineligible for the prestigious gong. Essendon coach Brad Scott said the AFL is already asking a lot of the playing group. "I just hope there's a deep dive being done into umpire positioning for umpires on the ground," he said on Wednesday. "Player fines are getting out of control at the moment. I understand the reasoning for it. The AFL has had their hand forced on this one ... everyone's got to take some responsibility for this, not just the players." RELATED: Vision emerges of sneaky Zak Butters act he copied from Nick Daicos AFL responds to rival coach's concerns over 'unsafe' surface at SCG Discussing the situation on Channel 7 on Tuesday night, Dale Thomas said: 'By no means is that dismissing the seriousness of some of those injuries, with the whiplash, the concussions - that's not a part of that. The players are talking (about) purely how they're going to be fined for this contact and what constitutes being fined. 'They got to the point where they went to the body, the AFLPA, and said, 'Alright, we want you to organise a sit-down with the AFL and we want to have a seat at the table to work through all these issues, because at the minute, we have no clarity on any of it, and it seems the goal posts are moving week in, week out'. It'll be, by the end of this year, over the 24-month period, $1m the players have given back in fines to the AFL through various sanctions.'
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Essendon coach Brad Scott speaks on umpire contact crackdown
Essendon coach Brad Scott hopes the AFL conducts investigations into the cause of each umpire contact case after enforcing a crackdown on repeat offenders. The AFL Players Association also called for the entire MRO and Tribunal system to be reviewed declaring it 'wasn't working' after the league introduced the prospect of suspension for players should they be found to have carelessly made contact with an umpire on four occasions. Players will be punished with a hefty fine after the second offence. Scott understands the umpires' view, saying the AFL's 'hand was forced' but wants to see the cause of the contact ruled correctly. 'It seems to be one of those things where their hand was forced, we don't often think about workplace health and safety, especially on field,' he said. 'There's a tribunal, MRO to deal with players, but clearly the umpires in particular feel their safety is being compromised. 'I just hope there's a deep dive going into umpire positioning. There's four umpires on the ground, all of those things. 'Accidental umpire contact results in a fine or a suspension, I'd be very interested in the Players' Association's view on this because there's a lot of fines getting out of control. 'I understand the reasoning for it, the AFL has had their hand forced on this one, but I think everyone has to take responsibility on this, not just the players.' Interim AFLPA boss, Ben Smith said deciding to increase the penalties without consultation was 'disappointing' and called for a forum to discuss such issues 'holistically with the AFL'. 'It's evident to the AFLPA and players that the current MRO and Tribunal system is not working and needs to be reviewed and revised, and we look forward to being a part of that process,' he said. Scott says the best midfielders have started setting up alongside the umpires' lane out of centre bounces and that puts everyone 'in a vulnerable position'. He says the Bombers will implement a strategy around avoiding contact at training this week. 'The ball-ups are the problem, incidental umpire contact around the ground doesn't happen very often,' he said. ' … the AFL have made it clear to us that if you set up behind the umpire when they're backing out and there's contact, then you're liable. 'That's a pretty simple one for the players. What has been a trend is a lot of players, particularly the stars of the competition, setting up there because you have to man them up. 'That puts you in a vulnerable position of making contact with an umpire. We're actually going to work on it at training today just to make sure we don't put ourselves in that position.' Scott says ruling on free kicks and fines for umpire contact is 'retrospective' and needs to be assessed through vision. He also launched to the defence of the playing cohort, saying the volume of fines is 'outrageous'. 'I don't think any player likes money coming out their pocket, but I think they do have a view that they feel when they're fined it's not a penalty,' he said. 'Put umpire contact to one side, any MRO finding where a player gets fined, it's reported as if they've been cleared – the players don't feel like they've been cleared.'
