Chief hails free agency

THE players have been the big winners with the advent of free agency and the extension of the trade period, says AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

Saint- turned- Bomber Brendon Goddard has been the most prominent name to swap clubs in the first year of free agency.

Clubs also now have three weeks to formalise trades, a process that was only one or two weeks in previous years.

‘‘If you’re a player it’s far more beneficial to have this time period to allow you to get a trade or free agency or negotiate to another club,’’ Demetriou said yesterday.

‘‘ There are things like medicals, which have to occur, players have to fly all over Australia.

‘‘We’ve allowed players to come back from holidays when they’re on their leave to be part of discussions involving trades.

‘‘Whereas before that you could be overseas and someone could call up and say, ‘ Look, I know you’re in Phuket, but by the way we’re going to trade you’.

‘‘This is a far more effective and transparent process.’’

The trade period ends on October 26.

Several big names, including Kurt Tippett, are still in limbo.

Demetriou also said the AFL Commission had decided to review the cost of living allowance that allowed Sydney and Greater Western Sydney to pay an extra 9.8 per cent to their players.

The issue gained traction when the Swans made a multi-million dollar pitch to disgruntled Adelaide ruckforward Tippett just days after they won the premiership.

Demetriou promised there would be no ‘‘knee jerk’’ reaction from the AFL, but the commission felt it was appropriate to consider the cost of living allowance, which had not been reviewed for five years.

‘‘Maybe it is appropriate we collate more information, all the Bureau of Statistics information, get some experts involved, some third parties and get some more information. We’ll bring it back to the commission to have a look at,’’ he said.