AFL 2024: Draftees facing holding pattern on new contracts when negotiations open
The date where top-end draftees are allowed to sign new contracts is fast approaching, but a rule tweak could see a hold up. Here’s why.
A tweak in the AFL’s recent collective bargaining agreement is set to create a holding pattern for early draftees, with contract extensions unlikely later this month.
Under the new CBA, first-round picks sign three-year contracts when snapped up by their AFL clubs, one year more than previously.
Draftees are unable to negotiate or sign contract extensions until after round 6 of their first season, so clubs could start tying down elite talent like Harley Reid, Colby McKercher or Ryley Sanders later this month.
But player managers have told this masthead that early extensions are set to be pushed to the backburner given the extra year on current deals.
One manager of players selected in the first round last year said there was “no point” looking at new deals.
In recent years, top-end draftees have quickly signed extensions beyond their rookie deals, with Blue Ollie Hollands inked to a new extension three days before his round 1 debut last year.
Kangaroo Harry Sheezel added a two-year extension just days after his round 1 debut.
The Roos signed up George Wardlaw in May, while Gold Coast No.6 pick Bailey Humphrey inked a four-year extension in June.
While West Coast would surely be open to throwing a new deal at No.1 pick Reid, his value is likely to only grow over the next 12 months given the glowing reviews of his 18-disposal effort against Sydney on Saturday.
Top-10 draft picks will play this season on a base salary of $130,000, plus match payments.
North Melbourne’s pick two and three McKercher and Zane Duursma have both played all four of the club’s games so far in their debut seasons.
Roos footy boss Todd Viney told this masthead last month the club would happily talk to their managers as soon as they were ready.
“If they are open to doing that we are certainly keen to speak to their managers about their long-term futures,” Viney said.
A two-year contract extension is most common for draftees in recent years but Tasmanian pair McKercher and Sanders could opt for an added one year, that would take them to the end of the 2027 season and out of contract when the new Tassie side is building its list.
Of players selected in the top 10 of the 2022 draft, only Saint Mattaes Phillipou is yet to commit beyond his rookie deal.
From the 2022 first round, just Bulldog Jedd Busslinger, Swan Jacob Konstanty and Phillipou remain in the final year of their draftee contract.
Adelaide defender Daniel Curtin is the sole player selected in the top nine of last year’s draft not to play so far this season and six of the first seven chosen played in their club’s first match of the year.
No.13 pick Koltyn Tholstrup will play his first game this weekend.
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