THE AFL today wrote to all clubs to advise of a number of key changes to the AFL Players Rules that were approved by the AFL Commission at its most recent meeting in Melbourne. The various Rule changes addressed three separate issues:

· Rule changes required to address issues associated with the introduction of free agency.

· Finalisation of the new Special Assistance Rule concerning priority draft selections, following the Commission decision in February 2012 to remove the previous Rule.

· Changes to rules concerning Rookie Players, to ensure the Rookie List continues to be a key list management and development tool for Clubs.

RULE CHANGES RELATED TO THE INTRODUCTION OF FREE AGENCY

AFL General Manager Football Operations Adrian Anderson said the AFL had undertaken a thorough review of its Rules throughout 2012 to ensure the competition was well-placed for the introduction of Free Agency, and in particular, to ensure the Rules continued to deliver a competitive balance, as per the Commission’s stated objectives.

Since the 2000 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, all clubs apart from competition expansion teams the GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns, have missed the finals on at least one occasion and also have reached a Preliminary Final on at least one occasion.

“The introduction of Free Agency, which was agreed between the AFL and the AFL Players’ Association, is a significant shift in the competition landscape and we must be positioned for it,” Mr Anderson said.

“Free agency is likely to increase the focus on compliance with Rules relating to the Total Player Payments (TPP) Limit, the Draft and the system for Player movement between Clubs. Following a review which lasted several months, the AFL has taken a proactive approach to maintaining the effectiveness of these Rules, which are essential for ensuring competitive balance in the competition.

“Free agency will also place a new test on the Rule which prevents Clubs from signing opposition players during the course of the season. This Rule has served the competition well over the years by ensuring the AFL has avoided the situation which occurs in some other sporting codes where someone plays out a season for a Club having already signed with another Club for the following year.

“We commenced a consultation process with the industry in June to address this issue and the Commission has resolved to fortify the Rules in that area,” Mr Anderson said.

In broad terms, the key changes are summarised as follows:

Rule 4.7 - Negotiations with Players from Other Clubs

The previous rule banned any club reaching a binding agreement with a player from another club, before the player had completed his last game of the season with his current team. It has been the AFL’s position that the code has not wanted to see the situation that arises in other sports where a player completes a season after having already signed with another club for the following year.

Free Agency allows certain players to move to the club of their choice at the end of the season, potentially bringing this situation more into play. The AFL therefore sought feedback from across the football industry on whether the rule remained relevant and effective.

It was determined the rule that clubs cannot enter binding agreements with players from another club during the season should be retained, but that clubs may no longer sign players a season in advance during the off-season window and also that any discussions concerning potential contracts occurring during the season must be specified as non-binding. In addition, Clubs have been granted the right to make a formal complaint under the Rules, with sanctions of up to $100,000 for any breach.

“The AFL will continue to monitor the effect of free agency on the operation of Rule 4.7 to determine if any further changes are warranted,” Mr Anderson said.

Rule 10 - Rules Relating to Total Player Payments

The AFL’s rules concerning the enforcement of the TPP Limit have been brought up to date and fortified. Sanctions for failing to co-operate with investigations have been doubled, but are now maximum sanctions rather than mandatory sanctions. This is to ensure there is an appropriate deterrent for serious offenders, but that less serious offenders can be dealt with appropriately.

Rule 17 - Rules relating to enforcement of the Draft and Total Player Payments

A new offence has been introduced to complement the offences of ‘conduct prejudicial to the Draft’ and ‘conduct in breach of the Total Player Payment provisions’. The new offence is ‘conduct prejudicial to Player Movement Rules’ which specifically defines conduct that may impact on the natural operation of the rules relating to exchanges (Rule 4.3) or free agency (Rule 38).

It has been clarified that players who nominate terms before entering the draft, or as restricted free agents, must not have a side agreement to provide their services to the new Club on different terms to those nominated, which could discourage other Clubs - (eg. a restricted free agent who tables a three-year $1.5 million deal to be matched, cannot in reality have agreed to a four-year $1.6 million deal with his new Club).

Rules have been amended to ensure there are adequate powers of investigation and deterrence to protect the integrity of the competition.

Rules have been amended to ensure that only serious disciplinary matters relating to conduct in breach of the Total Player Payment provisions, conduct prejudicial to the Draft or conduct prejudicial to the Player Movement Rules are brought to the Commission for decision. In addition, the Commission has the option of referring such matters for hearing to a specialised sub-Committee of the Commission. Less serious matters may be dealt with by the General Manager of Football Operations without referring them to the Commission.

Rule 39 - New Rule Relating to Payment of Commissions

This rule prohibits clubs from paying commissions to agents or any other person in relation to the signing of free agents or any other kind of player acquisition. Such a practice is considered to be against the interests of players and also to work against competitive balance.

FINALISATION OF THE NEW SPECIAL ASSISTANCE RULE

The previous AFL Rule relating to Special Assistance (Priority Picks) was removed from the Rules in February 2012, with the Commission advising all clubs that it would now be very difficult for a team to receive a priority pick before round one, or after one poor season.

Under the new Rule, the awarding of any Priority Pick will ultimately be a decision for the AFL Commission, based on a recommendation from the Football Operations Manager determined by a club’s premiership points in recent seasons, percentage in recent seasons and recent finals appearances. A decision to award any extra picks would be made by September of that year’s National Draft.

“Special Assistance is now ultimately a matter for the Commission’s discretion and will be awarded only in exceptional circumstances,” Mr Anderson said.

“The decision of the Commission to award Special Assistance will be based on a Club’s on-field performance in recent years and any other matter the Commission regards as relevant. A confidential formula will be used to help assess recent on-field performance, but this will be only be one relevant consideration.”

AMENDMENTS TO ROOKIE RULES

A number of changes have been made to the rookie rules to continue to enhance the opportunities available to development players. This continues the successful innovations made in previous years to the Rookie List such as the introduction of Nominated Rookies and mature age Rookies.

Clubs may now list one Irish player under the Rule that allows for three extra rookies for development players. Irish players (unlike other International players) previously took a spot on the main rookie list and this change recognises the risk Clubs take in recruiting and retaining Irish players relative to local talent.

Clubs may now select a father-son player with a rookie pre-selection, if that player nominated for the Draft and was not selected by another club at the National Draft or Pre-Season Draft. The same applies for players from Club Academies (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, GWS).

“All Clubs were consulted concerning the current operation of the Rookie List, and the Rule changes approved by the Commission resulted from this feedback,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson said he wished to thank all clubs for their feedback and input on various aspects of the Player Rules.