Andrew Bogut says go home factor no excuse for AFL players, trade period should be extended

AUSSIE NBA big man Andrew Bogut says the AFL trade period should be open until midseason, as players increasingly use the excuse of homesickness to escape their clubs.

AUSSIE NBA big man Andrew Bogut says the AFL trade period should be open until midseason, as players increasingly use the excuse of homesickness to escape their clubs.

The new Los Angeles Laker, 32, was born in Melbourne, but has chased his basketball dreams abroad for almost half his life.

“Me being a bloke that’s lived overseas for 14-15 years, yeah, it’d be great if there was an NBA team in Melbourne, but it’s not a reality and I think it (being homesick) shouldn’t be a reason to go,” Bogut said on SEN Breakfast this morning.

LOW BLOW JOE: INGLES SLAPPED WITH FINE FOR GROIN SHOT

CALLING TIME: TRAVIS CLOKE SET TO QUIT FOOTY

Andrew Bogut says AFL is a job and homesickness should not be a factor in trades. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

SIMMONS MANIA: AUSSIE RECORDS FIRST TRIPLE DOUBLE

PAY UP, STEPH: CURRY COPS BIG FINE FOR DUMMY SPIT

“I think, if that is a reason that you request a trade, in my opinion, I think the trade period should then be extended to Round 8, Round 9, that’s my belief.”

“It does Americanise it a little bit and cause some anguish for some players but if they can just get out of a contract by saying they’re home sick, well then a team should be able to move them wherever they want.”

The NBA season begins in October, but teams can trade players right up until the February trade deadline.

If AFL clubs were able to do similar, it would increase the pressure on players to perform, with the potential to be shipped off mid-season if they were below par.

Bogut says AFL players should consider their sport just like any other job.

This month’s AFL trade period saw 12 players request trades because of the go-home factor.

Adelaide’s Jake Lever upset his club by demanding a move to Melbourne, while Gary Ablett (Gold Coast to Geelong), Josh Schache (Brisbane to Western Bulldogs), Lachie Weller (Fremantle to Gold Coast), Adam Saad (Gold Coast to Essendon) and Bryce Gibbs (Carlton to Adelaide) were other high-profile shifts.

Jake Lever incensed Adelaide with his trade request to Melbourne. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

The Queensland clubs — Gold Coast and the Lions — have long been pillaged by the factor. In 2013 Brisbane lost five players in one hit and was forced to accept unders as Jared Polec, Elliot Yeo, Billy Longer, Patrick Karnezis and All-Australian Sam Docherty.

The Queensland clubs — Gold Coast and the Lions — have long been pillaged by the factor. In 2013 Brisbane lost five players in one hit and was forced to accept unders as Jared Polec, Elliot Yeo, Billy Longer, Patrick Karnezis and All-Australian Sam Docherty all sought returns to their home states.

DISASTER AVOIDED: THE JORDAN TRADES THAT ALMOST HAPPENED

SIR CHARLES: HOW BARKLEY BECAME A LAKER, THEN WASN’T

PICK-UP LINES: ‘WHO WANTS TO SEX MUTOMBO?’