By Jon Pierik
The AFL Players Association says it is open to exploring the introduction of a player ''waiver wire'' in a bid to help improve equalisation.
While the focus has generally been on finances in terms of designing a more even competition, a recent briefing from American professor Stephen Ross, a specialist in competition law who has provided advice for the NRL's South Sydney Rabbitohs, found greater flexibility of playing lists could also help.
Ian Prendergast: "There should be an ability for clubs to access players who aren't getting an opportunity at their clubs."Credit: Sebastian Costanzo
AFLPA player relations manager Ian Prendergast said the discussion had provided interesting insights.
''He talked about waiver lists they have over in the States, where you (a club) can protect a certain amount of players, but then any players that sit below that list are able to be accessed,'' Prendergast said.
''Why do we limit the amount of talent that plays in the elite competition … why do you have lists where players can't move, they can't actually play at the elite level. You need to maximise the amount of talent in the competition.
''There should be an ability for clubs to access players who aren't getting an opportunity at their clubs.
''If you think about it, the 23rd player on a list at a stronger club, would they be getting a game at another club not travelling so well?''
Under the NFL system, teams can make contracted players available to rivals on a waiver wire, even through the season. If two or more teams want that player, the team with the poorer win-loss record wins out.
In the NBA, teams have 48 hours to decide whether they want to sign a waived player, taken on his current contract.
If he is not picked up in this time, he becomes a free agent and can sign with the team of his choice.
However, players waived after a March 1 deadline during the regular season are not eligible to be on a team's play-off roster.
''We are not hanging our hat on any one option at the moment but we are always open to considering what those options may be,'' Prendergast said.
''One of our strategies is to explore all options that deliver a more flexible labour market.
''That's how the mid-season draft could operate (with waivers).
''It would be difficult for a player having continuity throughout his career, but from a competitive balance point of view, you are getting the best players playing at the elite level. There is some merit in it.''
Ross also questioned why clubs that missed the finals could not have access to a bigger salary cap the next season, provided they had the funds.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire recently floated this option, but it did not receive great support.
McGuire is one of several club presidents and chief executives, including Andrew Demetriou, who are on a US study tour on equalisation measures.
Ross, while urging Demetriou to study the measures introduced by retiring NBA Commissioner David Stern, said in his report the best model for the AFL to dissect would be Major League Baseball, as opposed to the NFL.
''It (NFL) has developed almost entirely as a television sport (live gates at NHL games are higher), with a massive audience watching games featuring teams for whom they do not barrack, and with many fans avidly supporting clubs far distant from their own home,'' Ross said.
''Moreover, clubs need to sell tickets for only eight games a year. Hence, the goal of parity among the 32 NFL clubs uniquely works for that league, and that league alone.''
Ross said he believed the MLB had achieved the ''reasonable goal of competitive balance'' through ''a combination of a luxury tax on high payrolls that inhibits, but does not bar, the ability of wealthy clubs to invest in player talent, and significant revenue sharing''.
''Several clubs' recent experience illustrates how the MLB scheme works to advantage,'' Ross said.
''The New York Yankees have traditionally not found the luxury tax inhibiting in creating league-leading payrolls,'' he said.
''Their success has led to their development of an enormously successful local TV channel resulting in the payment of huge sums in revenue sharing to help other clubs.
''The Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals were recipients of significant revenue sharing; relying on top rookie draft picks and gradually increased investment (first in player development, now with major league payroll), they are now serious contenders.''