Eade lukewarm on AFLPA bid
01/05/2008 4:20 PM
Western Bulldogs' coach Rodney Eade says it would be too soon to allow players to become free agents after just five years under the AFL Players' Association's bid to allow footballers greater freedom to choose their own clubs.
The AFL rejected the AFLPA's bid for free agency - the right for players to choose which club they would like to play for - after just five years of service, saying it threatened the evenness of the competition.
However the AFLPA is not giving up on its long-held dream of free agency for players but may have to accept a longer term of service - such as 10 years - before players are given the freedom to choose their own club by the AFL.
Eade, one of the AFL's most experienced and respected coaches, said it would be unfair on clubs to lose players to rival clubs after just five years of service.
"As a club five years is a short time," Eade said on Thursday.
"If you draft someone at a young age and develop them, then you would like the ability to have a greater return on your investment rather than see them leave after five years."
However Eade said he was not against the concept of free agency, which would allow players to change clubs far easier than through the current restrictive measures which include just a one-week trade period in October.
"I think the AFLPA is going to look after the welfare of the players but I think they have got the (welfare of the) game in mind as well," he said.
"I don't think they will do anything ridiculous that will hurt clubs or hurt the game so I think at some stage it (free agency) may come in but in what form I am not sure."