Coaches concerned with third-party payments

By Nathan Schmook (What a classic name for a journo )
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network, 11:58 AM Tue 20 April, 2010

AFL COACHES are concerned about players receiving third-party payments outside the salary cap, with eight saying it should not be allowed.

In an exclusive AFLCA/afl.com.au survey, all 16 coaches were asked, ‘Do you agree with players being able to receive third-party payments outside the salary cap?’

Seven coaches were unequivocally against the extra payments, while one coach suggested that it favoured financially strong clubs. Eight coaches were in favour of allowing third-party payments.

In 2009, a total of 114 players received money outside of the league’s salary cap, with Carlton captain Chris Judd and Geelong's Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett having widely acknowledged third-party arrangements.

Of those coaches against the extra payments, three suggested it would favour wealthy clubs, with one saying, “We can’t compete so at a disadvantage”.

Two coaches said third-party payments damaged the integrity of the AFL’s salary cap.

With various forms of free agency to be introduced for the 2012 season there is speculation that third-party payments will become more prevalent as clubs test the limits of the new player movement rules.

In the survey, commissioned exclusively for afl.com.au and prepared under the auspices of the AFL Coaches Association, the 16 AFL coaches were also asked, ‘Do you think your club will be stronger or weaker for free agency?’

Half of the league’s coaches were unsure, with only three certain free agency would benefit their club. Two of those three coaches were also in favour of third-party payments to players.

Five of the seven coaches who were unequivocally against third-party payments were unsure if free agency would benefit their clubs, with just one suggesting his would be stronger.

Although eight of the AFL coaches were unsure if free agency would benefit their club, the majority said there was nothing the AFL should have done differently with its limited free agency rules.

One senior coach suggested a mid-season trade period, while another implored the AFL to remove power from player managers.

“If you want the game to progress, then stop putting player managers in the spotlight and giving them power,” he said.