AFL relaxes Sydney Swans trade ban — again
SYDNEY will be an active player in this year’s trade period after the AFL backed down for a second time on heavy trade restrictions imposed on the club.
Sydney
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sydney. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE AFL has backed down for the second time on heavy trade restrictions imposed on the Sydney Swans.
In an embarrassing backflip, league chiefs today agreed to allow the Swans to replace a player with a contract worth up to $450,000 a season.
Sydney had threatened Federal Court action against the AFL if its bid for the ban to be overturned was rejected.
Top lawyer David Galbally, QC, warned the AFL faced a humiliating courtroom loss under a breach of trade practices law.
TRADEHQ: COMPLETE WRAP — WHO IS YOUR CLUB CHASING?
Sydney was initially banned from taking any part in this year’s trade and free agency period.
The ban followed the phasing out of the club’s contentious cost-of-living allowance, used to recruit superstar forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
Former Swans chairman Richard Colless last month revealed details of an expletive-laden conversation with AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick the day after Franklin’s signing.
“There was no warm up, no introduction — the opening pleasantries were the ‘F’ bomb and the ‘C’ bomb,” Colless told the Herald Sun of the Fitzpatrick phone call.
“I must admit I was taken aback. It went on for about 10 minutes and it was basically just a torrent of abuse.”
The first AFL backdown came in January when the Swans were told they would be permitted to recruit players earning no more than the average wage — about $340,000.
Today’s announcement allows Sydney to replace one player on its list who exits the club this year either through a trade or as a free agent with a played valued up to $450,000.
Premiership speedster Lewis Jetta is expected to return home to Perth next month and sign with the West Coast Eagles.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said in a statement this afternoon: “At all times, the Sydney Swans have complied fully with the AFL’s rules, and the club has been in regular discussion with the AFL executive about how it may approach the exchange period with the prospect that a senior player may elect to leave the club and how he may be replaced.
If Sydney appeals the AFL's trade restrictions 4 or 5 more times they might be able to afford Patty D soon. From $0 to $330K to to $450K...
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) September 18, 2015
“The AFL has sought to work with the club to reach an effective solution to allow Sydney to participate in the trade and free agency process, while acknowledging that its current COLA payment that does not apply to 16 other clubs across the AFL, is being phased out of the competition.”
The Swans’ contentious COLA deal is being phased out and gives the club an extra $600,000 in the salary cap next season.
“If the club chooses to replace a departing player with this option, the Sydney Swans’ transitional COLA amount of $600,000 for the 2016 season will be lowered by 9.8 per cent of the traded-out player’s contract, if that player was contracted for 2016,” the league statement said.
Swans football boss Tom Harley said the club was satisfied with the decision.
“While the club is firmly of the view there should be no restrictions at all, the clarification of the ruling gives us more flexibility during the upcoming trade period,” Harley said.
“The club has not breached an AFL rule and we still consider the initial ruling unnecessary.”
Originally published as AFL relaxes Sydney Swans trade ban — again
AFL world erupts over star’s ‘grub’ act
The most charged and fined player in AFL history is back in trouble, with the footy world making the same comment in GWS’ big win.
Utter chaos as Giants stun Swans in derby classic
After a sickening start, Sydney found their groove to comfortably lead GWS at the major break. Then a ridiculous third term turned the match on its head.