AFL players on expiring contracts left in limbo as coronavirus halts negotiations with clubs due to financial uncertainty
New contracts for players across the entire AFL competition have been put on the backburner because of the looming financial impacts the COVID-19 outbreak will have on the league and its clubs.
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New contracts for players are on hold because of the looming financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will have on the AFL and clubs.
As clubs work through their entire operations, having been told to find up to $5 million in savings amid expected losses of between $8 million and $15 million from this season, players with expiring contracts have been left in limbo.
Multiple player managers contacted by The Advertiser said negotiations between them and the Crows and Power had been put on hold, and they expected AFL clubs to cut their salary caps in the next couple of years.
Even if new deals are agreed on, they will not be signed off at AFL headquarters.
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Adelaide’s approaching free-agency list is headlined by club champion Brad Crouch, who was last year linked with a big money move to the Gold Coast Suns.
Tyson Stengle, Kyle Hartigan, Elliot Himmelberg, Riley Knight, David Mackay, Rory Atkins, Jordan Gallucci, Myles Poholke and rookies Patrick Wilson and Kieran Strachan are also out of contract after this season.
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At Port Adelaide, Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert, Sam Powell-Pepper, Justin Westhoff and Jack Watts are on expiring contracts.
They are joined by Trent McKenzie, Cam Sutcliffe and youngsters, Joe Atley, Wylie Buzza, Willem Drew, Jarrod Lienert, Jake Patmore, Jake Pasini and rookie listed Boyd Woodcock, Riley Grundy and Martin Frederick.
Discussions over a new deal for Ebert were on hold anyway, to wait for the veteran to get some football under his belt after first struggling with concussion symptoms and then a knee injury last year.
Despite limited game time in the Power’s Marsh Community Series match against the Western Bulldogs in Whyalla, Ebert was selected in Port’s Round 1 side to take on the Gold Coast.
Power stars Travis Boak and Robbie Gray signed extensions in recent weeks, while Wayne Milera secured a new five-year deal in February.
Players are expected to have to take a pay cut in light of the looming big financial hit on the AFL and clubs.
The player managers spoken to by The Advertiser said some of their clients were also waiting to find out how bonuses in their existing contracts would be affected by a 17-round season.
One player manager said most of his clients had game bonuses in their contracts that stood at 16, 18 and 20 matches in a 23-round season.
Originally published as AFL players on expiring contracts left in limbo as coronavirus halts negotiations with clubs due to financial uncertainty
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