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AFL rebuffs poaching Gold Coast
THE AFL rejected a Gold Coast bid to loosen anti-poaching laws, setting the scene for a bidding war in the week after the 2010 season.
The Gold Coast, which will enter the competition in 2011, had hoped to be allowed to sign players before the 2010 season finished, and feels that being given only days to sign 16 uncontracted players is untenable.
Last year there were just eight days between the Grand Final and the start of trade week, with a similar period expected after the 2010 season.
In theory, if the Gold Coast club wants to sign one of the stars from the 2010 Grand Final, it will have just over a week to formally approach him, woo him, agree to terms and sign him.
While former West Coast captain Chris Judd moved to Carlton in the November national draft in 2007, the Gold Coast wants to finalise signing players before the trade period and then consider trading some of its high draft picks for more players.
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The AFL yesterday confirmed it had rebuffed the Gold Coast's approach, worried that giving permission for mid-season signings would create the same culture that pervades rugby league.
In that code, players often commit to rival clubs during the season, creating perceptions of disloyalty and mercenary-style behaviour.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday there would be no rule alterations for the Gold Coast club.
"The rules as they stand are that you can't talk to a player while he is contracted to a club," he said.
Privately, the AFL knows the Gold Coast may come to agreements with rival players but wait until the season has finished before announcing any deals.
The Gold Coast has argued it needs certainty in its contract talks, worried a mid-year verbal agreement with a player may be broken post-season when the talks become public.
Retired Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford this week labelled the new Gold Coast side the biggest test of player loyalty in the history of the game.
Gold Coast has both the inclination and the war chest to attract the AFL's biggest names.
Coach Guy McKenna has said Lance Franklin, Gary Ablett, Luke Hodge and Adam Cooney were all in the club's sights.
It also has an extra $1 million in its salary cap for 2011, money sure to be thrown at potential Gold Coast players.
Under the new recruiting rules, the Gold Coast can lure one uncontracted player from every club, with that side being compensated with a draft pick.
THE AFL rejected a Gold Coast bid to loosen anti-poaching laws, setting the scene for a bidding war in the week after the 2010 season.
The Gold Coast, which will enter the competition in 2011, had hoped to be allowed to sign players before the 2010 season finished, and feels that being given only days to sign 16 uncontracted players is untenable.
Last year there were just eight days between the Grand Final and the start of trade week, with a similar period expected after the 2010 season.
In theory, if the Gold Coast club wants to sign one of the stars from the 2010 Grand Final, it will have just over a week to formally approach him, woo him, agree to terms and sign him.
While former West Coast captain Chris Judd moved to Carlton in the November national draft in 2007, the Gold Coast wants to finalise signing players before the trade period and then consider trading some of its high draft picks for more players.
Related Links
The AFL yesterday confirmed it had rebuffed the Gold Coast's approach, worried that giving permission for mid-season signings would create the same culture that pervades rugby league.
In that code, players often commit to rival clubs during the season, creating perceptions of disloyalty and mercenary-style behaviour.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday there would be no rule alterations for the Gold Coast club.
"The rules as they stand are that you can't talk to a player while he is contracted to a club," he said.
Privately, the AFL knows the Gold Coast may come to agreements with rival players but wait until the season has finished before announcing any deals.
The Gold Coast has argued it needs certainty in its contract talks, worried a mid-year verbal agreement with a player may be broken post-season when the talks become public.
Retired Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford this week labelled the new Gold Coast side the biggest test of player loyalty in the history of the game.
Gold Coast has both the inclination and the war chest to attract the AFL's biggest names.
Coach Guy McKenna has said Lance Franklin, Gary Ablett, Luke Hodge and Adam Cooney were all in the club's sights.
It also has an extra $1 million in its salary cap for 2011, money sure to be thrown at potential Gold Coast players.
Under the new recruiting rules, the Gold Coast can lure one uncontracted player from every club, with that side being compensated with a draft pick.
Just as we´re building a really solid team having a guy like Cooney poached would be a disaster.....lets hope he is more interested in glory rather than $$$$$
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