AFLPA boss Paul Marsh says league can’t handle in-season player movement announcements like the NRL

As NRL clubs outwardly court a departing captain for 2026, one AFL captain’s meeting with another club put the code into a spin, highlighting a major issue.

Outgoing AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh can’t see a future where footballers announce their movement before the end of the season like NRL players do.

Pointing to the ugly fallout from revelations of off-contract West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen’s meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, Marsh, who is leaving the AFLPA at the end of May, said there was “no incentive” for players to declare their future.

Allen made an emotional apology after he was caught meeting with Mitchell in Perth amid reports he was asked by Eagles chief executive Don Pyke to stand down.

While Allen’s teammates were unmoved and said it was all part of the business, Marsh said the interaction showed the AFL was not “mature enough” to handle such situations.

“I think what we saw as a reaction to Oscar (Allen) last week was exactly why we won’t,” he said.

“I am even seeing the Daly Cherry Evans issue in the NRL, you are seeing greater backlash there for their players than what we have seen historically.

Out-of-contract West Coast captain Oscar Allen addresses the media after calls to step down over meeting with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell

“There is no incentive for players to announce this stuff. As much as I think we should be mature enough to deal with this, it is the industry we are in.

“I said before the clubs will lose players but they will gain players, there shouldn’t be outrage about this stuff but there is.”

AFL captains and coaches leapt to the defence of Allen, including Hawks captain James Sicily, who said failing to explore options would be “bad business”.

Marsh felt the meeting had been “blown out of proportion”, as players meet with clubs consistently throughout the year.

“If anyone thinks players aren’t doing this all the time, and clubs more importantly, then they don’t understand what’s going on,” he said.

“I don’t think we’re seeing clubs critical here because they’re taking part in it, the players understand this is what’s going on.

“Typically, what happens is players don’t start talking to clubs if they’re not being looked after at their club with the right offer.

“Without knowing the ins and outs of that, I think he had every right to go and talk to another club.

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh can’t see AFL players signing with other clubs mid-season.

“It doesn’t mean he’s going to leave West Coast, I think that’s something everyone needs to get their head around. It’s appropriate that he’s exploring what’s out there.”

On Tuesday, Allen’s teammate, Jack Graham, said the playings group had no issue with the meeting.

“That stuff always happens in football and as long as we’re there as a football club and mates to support him, that’s the main thing,” he said.

“We back Oscar in. He’s our teammate, he’s a great friend, he’s a great leader.

“We’ll just put our arms around him and support him, and that’s all we can do.”