ESSENDON players could have the option of walking out of Windy Hill as delisted free agents.
The AFL Players' Association has told the league and player managers that any player who wants to terminate his contract should be allowed to sign with a rival club of his choice.
The status of "delisted free agent" would be open to all Essendon players. A free agent would normally have to serve at least eight seasons on an AFL list.
Under this scenario, players would be free to leave and avoid the lottery of the draft or trade period, without any compensation for the Bombers.
The AFLPA believes Essendon was in breach of its duty of care to its players in 2012 and has fielded inquiries from player managers regarding the rights of Bombers players.
{C}
Essendon, which has signed defender Cale Hooker and midfielder Jake Melksham to new deals in recent weeks, is confident it will retain all of its players for next year.
But the option of moving unhindered to another club could be exploited by players and player managers during the October trade and free agency period.
AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis previously said that Essendon players had genuine claims for breach of contract because of the club's 2012 supplements program.
The AFLPA yesterday confirmed that any Essendon player could seek guidance on his rights from the AFL, but the union was seeking a general ruling for all players.
"Whilst we have met with all player managers involved and had numerous discussions with Essendon players, we are not aware of any particular player who is seeking to go down this path," Finnis said.
"However, from our perspective, the principle is quite straightforward.
"Although the point has clearly been raised in the context of the Essendon situation, the principle is far broader and general in its application.
"That is, any player who validly terminates his contract as a result of a serious breach by his club cannot in good conscience be required to remain on the list of the club following the termination.
"If such a player could only seek re-employment in the industry via the draft or through a trade organised by the club which breached its duties to him in the first place, that would be a ridiculous situation.
"I don't think anyone would say that is fair on the player at all."
Matt Finnish can walk. He is getting ridiculous in his efforts to ingratiate himself to the AFL. No club will go near him. It may be time for Essendon to put up an alternative candidate for the boss of the Players Association. Perhaps David Hille ???
Nowhere to be seen when the needles were going in. Turn up like hyenas thinking there's a carcass. I hope each and every EFC player tells them to go f**k themselves.
I'd also like to see how the player agents handle it. Wouldn't be surprised if some try to seek new clubs unilaterally...without the player's consent.
Too many of these ■■■■■■, AFLPA and player agents, are seeking to get the cushy jobs at the AFL.
Matt Finnish can walk. He is getting ridiculous in his efforts to ingratiate himself to the AFL. No club will go near him. It may be time for Essendon to put up an alternative candidate for the boss of the Players Association. Perhaps David Hille ???
Agree - Finnis has become a ■■■■■■ of the highest order.
For him to push for players to walk out - to a club of their choice! - with no compensation to us is a massive ambit claim that simply smacks of vindicativeness.
Really, both the Players' & Coaches' Associations, in different ways, have served the club, its players & coaches, very poorly through all this.
Vlad indicating on 774 that there are some players who have requested the AFLPA to seek permission from the Commission for the door to be opened. Not sure if just further undermining, as Demetriou went on to express a hope that Essendon would rebound in 2014; obviously a lie. Also contradicts a statement in the Sun.
Nowhere to be seen when the needles were going in. Turn up like hyenas thinking there's a carcass. I hope each and every EFC player tells them to go f**k themselves.
True .... Finnis only turned up once the AFL asked him to go into Bat for them...
But would be interesting to see if anyone DID walk...
Vlad indicating on 774 that there are some players who have requested the AFLPA to seek permission from the Commission for the door to be opened. Not sure if just further undermining, as Demetriou went on to express a hope that Essendon would rebound in 2014; obviously a lie.
Got the impression Vlad didn't think much of the request from AFLPA:
Sitting on it for a couple of weeks.
Will give it the 'courtesy' of a review.
EFC have had heavy punishment already & need to bounce back.
That player(s) may have requested this is a shock & very different from the impression of unity & commitment.
Perhaps some on the margins (who would be delisted or traded anyway) are looking at this as a lifeline to a new club? Perhaps they are being put up to this by the club that is courting them..
Demetriou just "confirmed" on 774 that players (plural) had confirmed they wanted to do this.
His incompetence is staggering.
Can you confirm is this Alledgedly or Fact or is it provided by sources?
Is this a bit of niggle about Docs court case? Our Dear Leader can be quite petulant at times, almost vindictive.
It is amazing to see Our Dear Leaders running commentary in the press...he won't let it settle.
Like the club would let any player just walk on their contract, they would would take it to court which would screw up trade week and put all these issues back on the table. I wish the mods could gurgle ■■■■ stories at places other than this.