Renewed AFLPA push over second bye for clubs as part of AFL’s competitive balance review

The AFLPA will continue pushing for all clubs to have a second bye as seasons continue to grow year-on-year, which could be a part of a competitive balance review.

AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield. A second bye has long been called for from the players’ representative body. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

An independent party could be called in to help complete the critical competitive balance review the AFL must undertake this year, amid renewed hope that all players could be granted a second bye next season.

The AFL Players’ Association fought hard to demand the review take place and managed to push it through under the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was signed last year.

There will be a renewed push to grant all 18 clubs a second bye from next season, off the back of the eight clubs who played in Opening Round receiving one this year.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said that had added another layer to the inequities of the fixture integrity and there is a feeling the Opening Round schedule has opened a fresh avenue to explore adding a second bye across the league.

That remains a priority for players who feel they deserve a second week off in a season that has grown to 24 home-and-away games plus finals.

The competitive balance review will be a warts-and-all look at football.

AFL football boss Laura Kane is in charge, while veteran administrator Geoff Walsh is completing a lot of the early heavy-lifting by speaking to all 18 clubs.

AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield. A second bye has long been called for from the players’ representative body. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan initially pushed back on the review in CBA talks, with football enjoying arguably is best-ever season.

The MCG averaged crowds of about 94,000 in September; the 2023 grand final was one of the best of all-time; and most clubs were in finals contention deep in the season.

But the CBA document confirms there is a chance that an independent panel could be called in for what will be a forensic look at almost every aspect of football, with clause (b) stating: “AFL and AFLPA may, if agreed, jointly appoint an external third party to provide input to the Competitive Balance Review”.

The review will also cover topics such as introducing a national reserves competition, costs of living in different states, disadvantages for expansion AFLW teams, differences in travel requirements between teams, and fixturing inequities.

It will also consider whether the development of fringe AFL players is hampered when they return to play in state leagues that are governed by different on-field rules to the elite level.

For example, the SANFL – where Port Adelaide and Adelaide’s AFL-listed players compete – pays a free kick against players who kick or handball the ball out of bounds without it being touched by another player.

The deadline for the review to be completed is December 31.

The goal of the review is to ensure every club is given a fair opportunity to enjoy success.

“AFL and AFLPA will … broadly acknowledge that the objective of ‘competitive balance’ is to strive for a competition where fans and players have a reasonable expectation that their club can field a competitive football team and have a realistic chance of achieving on-field success,” the document says.

Originally published as Renewed AFLPA push over second bye for clubs as part of AFL’s competitive balance review