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Sport Nation
Why the AFLPA won't budge on long-term contracts
SENZ • October 15th, 2025 11:15 am
The AFLPA will not be pushing for change when it comes to players signing long-term contracts despite the increasing number of them looking to renege on existing deals.
This trade period in particular has seen numerous players pushing to switch clubs despite having years to run on their contract.
It’s a situation that has led to numerous experts voicing their dislike of the extended deals, believing the players are now yielding too much power in the game.
Multiple players in the league are currently contracted beyond 2030 which presents significant issues in a sporting landscape where so many are looking to break contract in a bid to make more money.
When asked about whether the Players Association will intervene on long-term deals and work with the AFL to ease concerns, the group’s new CEO James Gallagher said: “The short answer is no. We have a restrictive environment.
“Long term deals work well both ways. You don’t have concerns from Collingwood about Nick Daicos who is on a long one or North having Harry Sheezel.
“There are benefits to them.
“Occasionally they don’t work out but that’s not enough to bring in restrictions. Clubs need to have the ability to set up their lists in the right way. For some clubs that’s long-term deals and others haven’t gone there.
“Any restrictions we would be loath to dive into.”
Also, When Gallagher was asked if he could foresee a world where clubs would have the ability to trade a player that was till contracted, he added: “In the current environment it’s unlikely. We want an environment where it’s flexible for players.
“Dictating where they go and play is a real challenge. There’s a fair bit of balance both ways in this.
“We will see how today plays out but I suspect some players will go where they want and others won’t.”
With Zach Merrett one of a number of players looking for a new club despite being under contract, Gallagher encouraged those who perhaps don’t get the trade they wanted need to act professionally.
"If you can't get to where you want to and you're under contract, there's an obligation to front up,” he said.
“To buy in and move forward. This happens every year, players do this, they want out and they struggle. Then they front up for pre-season.”
