The AFL Players Association has expressed ‘‘extreme concern’’ about the league’s plan to remove the second bye from next year’s fixture.
The AFL looks certain to reduce the number of byes in 2015 in order to accommodate a late start to the season due to cricket’s World Cup.
The AFLPA is in discussions with the league about the potential effect of cutting one bye out of next season, although the association acknowledges the scheduling difficulties the AFL faces.
It remains unclear whether the AFL will reinstate two byes into the fixture beyond 2015, however it’s understood the league is open to the idea of eliminating the second bye altogether.
Having negotiated strongly for the inclusion of a second bye this year, player relations manager Brett Murphy said the
AFLPA would strongly resist any plan to permanently remove the second bye in the future.
‘‘The players’ association has been a strong advocate for the provision of two byes per season, on the grounds of player health and welfare, and welcomed the introduction of an additional mid-season break this year,’’ Murphy said.
‘‘We are therefore extremely concerned by suggestions that the second bye may be removed from the fixture next year and may not return in 2016.
‘‘While we are conscious of the practical difficulties facing the AFL fixture next year and are in discussions with the AFL on the impact on players of any changes to the fixture – this does not explain why the AFL would not immediately return to the current system of two byes in 2016.
‘‘If the AFL is serious about protecting the health and welfare of players, it will commit to the reintroduction of two byes in 2016.’’
Players’ Association president and Collingwood veteran Luke Ball said the players unanimously supported the concept of two byes.
‘‘It provides players with an important chance to recuperate and recharge physically, ensuring the best players from all clubs are playing as much as possible and at their very best. This of course provides the best spectacle for our supporters,’’ Ball said.
‘‘It also provides players with a valuable mental break from the stresses and demands of footy, with many players using the break to spend quality time with family and friends.’’
Suggestions that players and clubs this season had found the second bye unnecessary were completely wrong, Murphy added.
‘‘During our current round of club visits, both players and clubs emphatically stressed the importance of the second bye,’’ he said.
‘‘The demands of the modern game have never been higher, and the additional week’s rest has provided a welcome respite.’’
The AFLPA’s strong stance on a second bye came as interim boss Ian Prendergast on Wednesday confirmed a report in Fairfax Media that players were seeking the right to sign confidential contracts with rival clubs during the season.
Under a proposal to be discussed at the end of this season, a player could receive and sign an offer in secret with a rival club during the season, instead of waiting until the end of the year.
Prendergast said the association wanted to make official the type of behind-the-scenes deal-making that currently goes on in secret during the season, in an effort to give the players more security in the negotiating process.
Although the player would be free to inform his current club of any deal struck with a rival under the proposal, Prendergast said the association did not want the deals to become public and said he fully understood why key figures in the industry expressed reservations on Wednesday.
‘‘[People] are saying it is inevitable that it is going to get out,’’ Prendergast said on SEN.
‘‘What we are saying is that there are things happening at the moment that remain confidential. So why shouldn’t it be the case, for example, that a club could put an irrevocable offer to a free agent, so at least that offer can’t be withdrawn if the player gets injured after that point in time,’’ he said.
‘‘But we are not suggesting that it should be open and public because we understand that the culture of the game needs to be respected.
‘‘We’ve seen in the NRL that they announce those agreements mid-season, culturally I’m not sure we’re there yet. Having said that, these athletes are people first and athletes second so they’re always going to be professional in terms of continuing to fulfill their obligations to their current club.’’
