In an attempt to slow the massive growth in super-long contracts for players, the AFL quietly introduced what could be called “the Buddy Franklin” rule – forcing club boards and chief executives to sign off on contracts of six years or longer.
The rule, which was sent to clubs before the 2024 season without any announcement, asked club bosses to sign a club letter in which the leadership accepted, “full financial responsibility for meeting all current and future contract obligations” for contracts of six or more years.
This masthead has seen a copy of this little-known rule, in which the AFL also warned clubs that “the AFL may choose, at its sole discretion, to impose this requirement of any player contract it deems high-risk, for any reason.”
But the rule, which is a less heated version of how the AFL dealt with Lance Franklin’s nine-year, $10 million deal in 2013, has not deterred clubs from offering these longer-term deals, despite the concerns about concussion and the risks clubs take, as evident in the Angus Brayshaw payout with years remaining on his contract.
Under this “Buddy” rule, clubs have to provide the AFL with a joint letter from their board and chief executive for any contract of six years or more, saying that the board have approved the deal and are aware that the club’s commitment is assured, “irrespective of any personnel changes in the club management or governance structure” over the life of the contract.
In other words, the AFL wants to ensure clubs are held responsible for the lengthy contract, knowing that different people could well be in charge of the club during the contract’s life, or that circumstances at the club could change.
Fremantle, Carlton and Collingwood together account for 10 of the 27 existing individual contracts that would require board approval. Contracts have to be approved by the AFL and, under this rule, the league will not allow the contract to be registered if the board does not sign off.
Fremantle has four players contracted for at least six seasons (to 2030) – Brennan Cox (2030), Josh Treacy (2030), Sean Darcy (2030) and Hayden Young (2033), who is contracted for longer than any other player in the competition.
Carlton’s three players with deals of six years or longer are Jacob Weitering (2031), Adam Cerra (2030) and Harry McKay (2030). The Blues also have Charlie Curnow contracted until the end of 2029.
Collingwood’s three are new recruits Dan Houston (2030), Harry Perryman (2030) as well as Josh Daicos (2030). Nick Daicos is signed until the end of 2029 when he will be a restricted free agent.
West Coast is the only club without a single player contracted until 2030. Geelong did not have one until Bailey Smith joined the Cats in a trade earlier in this off-season.
Many of the players with deals to 2030 or beyond have either been free agents or have changed clubs, as with Josh Battle – the only Hawk in this category.
Clubs chief executives, list managers and agents consulted by this masthead – who all spoke on condition of anonymity – felt the rule or demand for greater ownership of these contracts would have little impact on the huge offers, although it was possible for players to simply have larger payments for shorter terms.
One club boss said the longer contracts were, in part, caused by the imminent arrival of the Tasmania Devils in 2028, with clubs concerned about losing players to the 19th team.
“It doesn’t stop anything as far as I can see,” said one club CEO.
In outlining the rule to the clubs, the AFL said that they wanted the clubs to provide, “A joint letter from the club president and CEO, addressed to the AFL’s general counsel, attesting to the following:
• That the club assumes full financial responsibility for meeting all current and future contract obligations across the term of the specified SPC and ASA arrangement;
• That the club acknowledges that the SPC and ASA arrangements are fully assessable in the respective TPP and ASA Limits, across the term of the contract, as specified in the 2023-2027 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and future CBAs, subject to strictly permitted exclusions and deductions;
• That the club fully accepts all risks associated with early termination of the contract, with regards to both financial obligations and TPP assessment considerations, including any TPP acceleration requirements.
• Confirmation that this club attestation will be upheld irrespective of any personnel changes in the club management or governance structure over the term of the SPC or ASA arrangement.”
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