I guess it comes down to how much loyalty you want. It's all fine to sack to dud coach or de-list the dud player but if a decent coach or player walks out, the loyalty card comes into play and everyone gets upset for some reason.
Here's my ill thought out solution.
1/ Abolish player contracts entirely.
2/ Every player in every club to be paid the same set match payment for every game played.
3/ The salary cap to be made up at the end of the year by awarding bonus payments to players based on performance.
4/ Give the players the free agency they want. Allow clubs to hire and fire players whenever they like on a weekly basis. I'm sure there are plenty of players from local clubs who would jump at the chance of making some money and given a chance at AFL level.
Why do this? Players have an incentive to perform well and stay at the one club. They're hardly likely to be given performance bonuses at the end of the year if they only play a couple of games, are they? If players won't play out of loyalty for a club, then at least make them play for the money. Each week, no player will be disadvantaged by the club he plays at since everyone will be on the same match payment. More players will be given a chance at AFL level, not just those drafted each year. And let's face it, half the players drafted turn out to be duds anyway. There goes another year wasted. Screw that.
In addition, each junior player should be allowed to nominate a preferred AFL club and that club should get first chance the try said player in the event of competition from other clubs for said player. Players would then be given some say in their destination, as it should be.
There are two downsides I can see (aside from corruption which happens now anyway). 1/ Local clubs would have players taken at will. Some regulation would be required here. 2/ AFL lists would probably change on a weekly basis. Not a big deal for me but if you're into getting numbers sewn onto jumpers, then might be a problem.
Like I said, ill thought out and probably heaps more cons and unworkable but could be lot more interesting.
Here's my ill thought out solution.
1/ Abolish player contracts entirely.
2/ Every player in every club to be paid the same set match payment for every game played.
3/ The salary cap to be made up at the end of the year by awarding bonus payments to players based on performance.
4/ Give the players the free agency they want. Allow clubs to hire and fire players whenever they like on a weekly basis. I'm sure there are plenty of players from local clubs who would jump at the chance of making some money and given a chance at AFL level.
Why do this? Players have an incentive to perform well and stay at the one club. They're hardly likely to be given performance bonuses at the end of the year if they only play a couple of games, are they? If players won't play out of loyalty for a club, then at least make them play for the money. Each week, no player will be disadvantaged by the club he plays at since everyone will be on the same match payment. More players will be given a chance at AFL level, not just those drafted each year. And let's face it, half the players drafted turn out to be duds anyway. There goes another year wasted. Screw that.
In addition, each junior player should be allowed to nominate a preferred AFL club and that club should get first chance the try said player in the event of competition from other clubs for said player. Players would then be given some say in their destination, as it should be.
There are two downsides I can see (aside from corruption which happens now anyway). 1/ Local clubs would have players taken at will. Some regulation would be required here. 2/ AFL lists would probably change on a weekly basis. Not a big deal for me but if you're into getting numbers sewn onto jumpers, then might be a problem.
Like I said, ill thought out and probably heaps more cons and unworkable but could be lot more interesting.
