AFL players standing firm over return of normal wages from season 2021

AFL players are determined to have their pay return to normal from next season, digging their heels in as the league pushes for an ongoing reduction.

AFL players have made clear to their union their $100 million wage sacrifice should not carry into next season as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan continues to push for a continuing pay cut.

AFL player union boss Paul Marsh has recently been communicating information to players from the AFL’s discussion paper on the league’s finances handed to the AFLPA a fortnight ago.

The league is set to stagger any list changes over as many as three years, which means the AFL and clubs will save almost no money from pruning a handful of rookies off each list in 2021.

Watch the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series on Kayo with every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

And with the AFL and its commission determined to pay back its massive loan to banks within two seasons it means the league will continue to press for a change to the collective bargaining agreement.

Players who have been in those meetings with Marsh have walked away confident Marsh will hold the line after players took 50 per cent pay cuts for the back half of the season.

RELATED:

AFL Rich 100: The eye-watering amount of money players are sacrificing to keep footy alive

AFL players sacrifice $90 million in 2020 in wage cuts, with average player to lose more than $100,000

AFL Rich 100: Players’ COVID-19 salary cuts revealed

Geelong coach Chris Scott to take 100 per cent pay cut during coronavirus crisis

Why the AFL is frustrated with its players over 50 per cent pay cut offer

AFL clubs are bracing for an order to cull list sizes to 35 players in 2021

It meant they secured about 70 per cent of their total 2021 salaries, having lived away from family for months in high-performance hubs.

Many AFL players have also communicated to Marsh their determination for him not to buckle on pay talks.

Their belief is that the players are the core product that should not be undercut by the AFL in its determination to repay its loan at a time when interest rates have never been lower.

AFLPA President Patrick Dangerfield, AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh and AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.

The AFL is intent on safeguarding its future seasons, well aware that the financial toll from the 2021 season could be more savage than the fallout from this year.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan revealed on Thursday only 9000 members of the nearly one million that signed up this year had asked for a refund.

But the league is fearful of what could happen if there is no vaccine until much later in 2021.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said recently he was not yet confident the Pies would be able to host full MCG crowds next year given many pandemics took two years to run.

AFL players hope their wages will return to normal from next season.

If cuts were eventually agreed upon the AFL and player union would likely be able to come to an agreement that saw players reimbursed their sacrificed earnings should AFL revenue spring back quickly on 2021 estimates.

The league funds most of the salary cap for clubs, so any pay cut will help ease the financial strain on AFL House.

Richmond president Peggy O’Neal said last week the Tigers were bracing for a significant cut from the AFL in the club’s yearly distribution.

MORE AFL NEWS:

Exclusive figures reveal the best and worst umpires for every finals-bound team’s winning record

AFL hubs set to cost league $60 million as price of keeping 2020 season afloat hits home

Steele Sidebottom will not travel to Queensland hub after logistical complications

Originally published as AFL players standing firm over return of normal wages from season 2021