Mid-season trade period nears in coming AFL-AFLPA CBA agreement

The AFL and the AFLPA are nearing an agreement on a new CBA, which looks to shake up the AFL in a big way, creating a new wrinkle in the home and away season.

A mid-season trade period in the AFL is nearing closer with the concept forming part of the new collective bargaining agreement that is set to be voted on by players this week.

It comes as the AFL Women’s season is set to grow by at least one game next season – and potentially more – with continual growth throughout the five-year landmark deal.

While the AFLW season is not set to reach 17 games within the life of the deal, the game’s first-ever joint agreement between men’s and women’s players presents a raft of boosts for female players including 12-month contracts.

Men’s players are set for a $200,000 pay rise within five seasons under the deal, which if agreed to could see a mid-season trade period implemented in coming years.

While the league had been pushing to introduce the new trade period next season it is likely to be delayed until at least 2025, and is considered to be one mechanism to provide a much-needed boost for players who may not be playing at their current club or clubs that are in the finals race but have been hampered by injuries to secure talent.

Magpies coach Craig McRae has been vocal in his support of the move. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Previously, player union officials and some players had expressed concerns around the details of how a mid-season trade period could look but agreed to its conclusion in the agreement after months of negotiation with the league.

The AFLPA held a board meeting on Monday after months of talks with league officials, and are currently consulting with players via a series of video links with the majority of men’s players now on leave.

Players are being canvassed on the proposed deal and are being asked to vote after their meeting.

Negotiations saw the league propose for players to be allowed to be traded against their will but that is not understood to form part of this agreement.

Incoming league chief executive Andrew Dillon said earlier this year that there would have to be “tight parameters” around any mid-season trading period including the length of player contract, with the concept receiving support from a number of players and coaches including Collingwood coach Craig McRae.

The AFLW season is guaranteed to expand by at least one game next season with the competition’s fixture to expand throughout the life of the deal.

If players vote in support of the agreement, players will be contracted for more hours per week and are understood to be the beneficiary of a raft of off-field policy measures.

This masthead reported this week that clubs believe the salary cap will increase by as much as 12 per cent for this season under a backdated deal with another significant boost for 2024 and beyond.

Players set for big reward as new CBA deal nears

– Jon Ralph and Scott Gullan

The AFL’s male players are set for a $200,000 pay rise within five seasons under a new pay deal that is close to being finalised.

After months of high-level talks, the AFL’s male and female players are set to vote on the landmark deal which is worth $2.2 billion over five years.

The league is currently paying the male players an average wage of $406,000 but with pay rises set to hit over 30 per cent by 2027 they would take home nearly $600,000.

After three days of talks at AFL House last week the AFLPA held a board meeting on Monday where they decided to send the deal to their players for a vote.

The minimum wage for AFLW players is set to rise to $70,000, up from nearly $40,000.

Clubs believe the salary cap could go up as much as 12 per cent for the 2023 season under a backdated deal then another significant amount for the 2024 season.

By the time those pay rises compounded the new deals would be remarkable, and allow untold wealth into the game.

AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

Last year there were 12 players who earned $1 million, with 51 players paid $800,000 or more.

Under the new pay rise by the end of 2027 there would be at least 50 players earning at least $1 million a season.

Players would also be handed double the amount for their past players and welfare programs.

The AFL has been seeking to put in place a concussion fund that could hit $10 million a season, but in early discussions had asked the players to fund that program for current and past players.

The AFL has already committed to a longer AFLW season – up from 10 games – in the next AFLW season from August next year.

The AFLW season will expand, and the players will be rewarded. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The league has secured permission from the AFLW players to set the length of its women’s fixture given certain growth measurements.

Industry sources said the league was confident of a breakthrough on Monday night but still aware there were details that had to be brokered to finalise a deal.

The league has felt it was close before talks broke down last month so it is only cautiously optimistic.

But the fundamentals of the deal are in place which would allow players to secure massive pay rises.

The new pay deal will allow the league to hand clubs a significant rise in their football department cap which will help pave the way for much-needed increase in the wages of coaches who have been the hardest hit in recent times.