AFL stars should be paid outside salary cap, says former list boss Chris Pelchen

A FORMER list boss says AFL clubs would more readily retain their stars in an era of free agency if marquee players were paid outside the salary cap, and wants the league to consider other significant changes.

THE man who helped set up the AFL’s draft and equalisation system wants clubs to be able to pay two marquee stars outside the salary cap.

List builder Chris Pelchen, who has worked for the AFL and a trio of leading clubs, said stars were underpaid given their huge commercial value to the league.

As part of the Herald Sun’s Future Melbourne series looking ahead to 2050, Pelchen has forecast a reshaping of AFL lists and clubs recruiting 12-year-olds as part of club academies.

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But he said the AFL should make several significant chan­ges in the next year or two.

He said the AFL would soon introduce a mid-season draft to enable clubs to trade players and picks and provide greater freedom with their lists.

Clubs would more readily retain their stars in an era of free agency and massive rival offers, he predicted.

“Clubs (should) have two franchise players where they are outside your salary cap. It is only fair standout players have an earning capacity not limited by the salary cap,” Pelchen said.

“They are still eligible for free agency when they come out of contract, but the outstanding players — Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Jr, and more recently Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin — should be able to earn even more money, not be constrained by salary caps.

“Richmond have three or four standout players, it’s only fair that standout players have an earning capacity that is not limited by the salary cap.

“You wouldn’t make it six or eight players, but nominally it would be two players whose salaries are outside the cap.

“The franchise player should come in within the next 2-10 years, that kind of time-frame.”

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield. Picture: Michael Klein

Last year there were only nine players who earned over $1 million and two who earned more than $1.2 million a year.

But players such as Franklin and Martin are worth millions to the clubs in sponsorship, membership and merchandising appeal.

Pelchen said clubs would be able to choose their marquee players, with those coming off contract still able to become free agents.

He believed the evolution of clubs being allowed to coach juniors through state and next generation academies would see clubs recruit pre-teens in future decades.

The draft age could be abolished but clubs would still only be allowed to officially list and play those players at 18 years of age.

“The AFL have dipped their toe into the water with Next Generation academies and there is a chance the draft age is abolished,” he said.

“Clubs will be encouraged to go out and develop player academies with AFL support where they can sign players from the age of 12.

“It’s happening across the world now and in international soccer. It would still be compulsory for them to be at school.”