The AFL is reportedly set to allow more ‘salary dump’ deals in a big change to the trade period landscape.
According to reports by AFL Media and The Age,the league will now tick off clubs using cap space more strategically, having previously rejected trades deemed too one-sided.
It’ll allow teams to off-load unwanted salaries to cashed-up rivals to clear tight caps for minimal returns in draft capital or otherwise.
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The AFL is essentially acknowledging teams like North Melbourne should be able to maximise its significant salary cap space to bring in more draft picks.
On the other side of the coin, Collingwood most infamously pulled off such moves under existing rules during its 2020 trade fire sale that saw the likes of Adam Treloar and Jaidyn Stephenson depart for lacklustre returns to free up funds while the Magpies still contributed to part of their salaries.
The Magpies are expected to part ways with Brodie Grundy’s big-money deal this year un similar fashion, with Melbourne the favourite to land the star ruckman.
Other players on lucrative contracts who could be moved elsewhere include Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell and St Kilda’s Brad Hill.
Teams will also be able to package early picks with big salaries to help them unload such funds, like last year when Gold Coast Suns moved Will Brodie to Fremantle along with Pick 19.
The Suns could look to orchestrate similar deals this year amid reports Brayden Fiorini could be on the move for little in return.
