AFL Free Agency - A guide

A point-by point guide to the new free agency rules to be introduced by the AFL in 2012.

• Players delisted by a club on or before 31 October will be unrestricted free agents.
• Players who are not in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their clubs will be eligible for unrestricted free agency if they have served eight years on the primary list of the club.
• Players who are in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their club will be eligible for restricted free agency for their first new contract after they have served eight years on the primary list of the club. This is the case regardless of when the first new contract arises. For example, a player who is contracted after his seventh year for 2, 3, 4 or years will still only be eligible for restricted free agency for his next contracts as a 9, 10, or 11 year player.
• A top 25 per cent player will then be eligible for unrestricted free agency for his next contract, provided that a player can’t be an unrestricted free agent until completing at least 10 years service at one clubs.
• Restricted free agents have the right to move to a club of their choice subject to the current club’s right of first refusal over their services. That is, if the current club can match the offer from a rival club, the player must stay or enter the draft. The tabled offer only includes capped salary and capped ASA amounts.
• Compensation in the form of AFL allocated draft picks will apply to clubs with a net loss of free agents. This will be based on a formula to be determined by the AFL.
• The Veterans List allowance will be amended to apply to players with 10 years service at one club and will be based on a set amount of TPP per player calculated as a percentage of TPP.
• The AFL will closely monitor access to uncapped third party independent arrangements.
• All player investments with associates must be lodged with the AFL.