Footy’s pay-cut decision

AFL players agree to terms

THE AFL and AFL Players Association have reached an agreement over pay cuts.

After two weeks of intense negotiations, the players last night agreed to take a 50 per cent for at least April and May, and 70 per cent from June if matches are unable to be played.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has agreed to take the same cut as the players.

McLachlan also said the AFL was close to officially securing bank loans of more than $500 million.

Fundamentally, the players wanted more information before agreeing to a pay cut. They asked to see the AFL’s books.

The league, which had proposed a 79 per cent reduction at the start of talks, eventually gave more details around their numbers and figures.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Lions legend Simon Black says mental hurdles will be higher than physical barriers for isolated AFL players in the coming weeks.

Black – the only footballer in VFL/AFL history to win three premierships, a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal and tally more than 300 senior games – said modern-day players had to take being a “true professional” to a new level.

Players across the country were sent home on Monday after the competition was shut down until at least May 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They have been given training programs and exercise equipment by clubs, which will assess the isolation period for players after a month.

Black said adjusting to life without being around teammates in the regimented structure of meetings, training sessions and medical appointments would be an issue.

“The mental side is the biggest challenge facing the players,” he said.

“When games will resume is an unknown at this point, so being able to be self-driven and disciplined is key.

“It’s what will keep the players from losing large parts of their conditioning they’ve built up over the last four to five months. It will separate some players – some won’t be as capable of training alone.

“Being a true professional is now a whole new thing.

“Can players train the way they are required to when no one is watching over them like previously?

“Sure, they’ll have devices to be tracked by conditioning staff, but it won’t be the same.

“It’s a time of self-discipline and controlling what you can control.’’