List experts believe AFL clubs could follow the NBA’s lead and start salary dumping to free up cap space

COLLINGWOOD’S decision to recruit forward Chris Mayne looks a bust. And list experts believe there is a way the Pies could offload the forward in a bid to fast-track success.

Chris Mayne celebrates a goal in the VFL. Pic: Michael Klein

SALARY dumping could be considered in the AFL where clubs punt rotten contracts in one-sided trades to free up valuable cash to splash.

List experts said Collingwood should radically offload Chris Mayne plus a valuable draft pick for nothing more than a late pick to save $1.5 million in its tight salary cap.

The Magpies owe Mayne, 28, $500,000 per season until 2020, which former list boss Chris Pelchen said could jeopardise their ability to attract talent or recontract players.

‘DISASTER’: THE PICK SWAP COSTING HAWKS

RECAP: DAY 3 TRADE WHISPERS, TALK

WHACK: MAYNE’S DAD SLAMS PIES

Eighteen Pies including Jamie Elliott, Darcy Moore and Jordan De Goey are out of contract next season as they look to also poach free agents Tom Lynch (Gold Coast) or Rory Sloane (Adelaide).

The hypothetical Mayne deal would hinge on a club with salary cap space taking on him and his high price in order to gain a high draft pick.

Chris Mayne in action for the Pies’ VFL side. Pic: Michael Klein

The Pies could be in the market for Suns star Tom Lynch. Pic: Michael Klein

The idea is common in the NBA. In 2011 the LA Clippers sent a washed-up Baron Davis’s $13 million contract and an unprotected future pick — ultimately No.1 (Kyrie Irving) — to Cleveland for a pair of players.

The theory could also appeal to Sydney (Kurt Tippett) and Hawthorn (Ty Vickery), who have tight caps.

St Kilda, North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions are believed to have space in their salary caps.

The Pies hold picks six and 36. Former Hawthorn recruiter Gary Buckenara said pick 36 in this year’s draft would not be enough to take Mayne’s full salary.

“North might say, ‘OK, we’re not going to pick up the whole tab, we’re prepared to pay $350,000 (per season) and you might have to pay $150,000,” Buckenara said.

“If you could get the Magpies’ second pick in next year’s draft, which looks to be a ripper draft, that might equate (to the full salary).

“If it’s not illegal to do then I can’t see why clubs wouldn’t go down that path.”

AFL integrity officer Ken Wood must approve every trade.

Clubs routinely pay players to play at other clubs to inflate their trade value. Heath Shaw, Brett Deledio and Ryan Griffen had parts of their salaries paid by their former clubs while at GWS.

Pelchen predicted AFL salaries would be made public in the next decade so trades become transparent.

The Giants gained salary cap relief by trading Rhys Palmer to Carlton for pick 135 last year and Pelchen said Hawthorn jettisoned All-Australian Jonathan Hay to bank money in 2005.

Rhys Palmer joined the Blues from GWS. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Salary cap banking is a new concept, but a very, very important one,” Pelchen said.

“It’s important the public don’t assess trades purely on the draft selection or player in return, because there could be a bigger issue at play.

“The salary cap is a movable beast, it’s fluid because it changes week on week according to who’s playing and who’s injured.”

Mayne finished eighth in the Pies’ VFL best-and-fairest. Pelchen said if he wasn’t in Collingwood’s best 22 plans the club should cut its losses now.

“And it makes good sense (for North) to bring someone in who can give them experience,” Pelchen said.

“You get him well under value because you’ve got the salary cap space, which you actually have to spend.

“You also get a draft pick and people go, ‘How on earth? That’s the deal of the century!’ but it’s the deal of the century for both clubs, because Collingwood is also achieving what they want to achieve.

“It is now ground and for supporters it will be quite confronting.”

The Kangas are heavily front-ending their star’s contracts after missing out on Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly.

The Roos also chased Mayne last year, but went cold when they opted for a rebuild.

AFL list experts say Sydney could also look at offloading Kurt Tippett. Picture. Phil Hillyard