The AFL‘s free-agency compensation method is dealing with contemporary scrutiny after West Coast obtained choose two for the departure of Oscar Allen, who on Wednesday signed with Brisbane.
Allen was capable of be a part of the reigning premiers when West Coast opted in opposition to matching Brisbane’s provide for the 26-year-old key ahead.
The Lions didn’t specify the size of Allen’s contract in an announcement confirming his signature, however the former Eagles co-captain reportedly penned a six-year deal.
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Discussing on Fox Footy the compensation handed to the Eagles, 1988 Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy recommended it was not proper for West Coast to be given a variety in subsequent month’s draft as excessive as choose two.
“I feel the largest query is, is he price choose two? Has the AFL obtained this proper, that you just’re handing over choose two for a man that hasn’t performed nice footy for a couple of years?” Healy stated.
“I assumed he was one of the best up-and-coming younger ahead within the competitors … and he, in my opinion, was going to change into the man that led them [the Eagles] to a different flag. Hasn’t labored out.
“However choose two — it is an enormous compensation.”
The AFL’s free-agency compensation system is a thriller, therefore why it is sometimes called “the herbs and spices method”, however what is thought is the league produces a factors ranking for gamers primarily based on the brand new contract of the free agent and their age.
West Coast obtained the best band of compensation attainable for the exit of Allen, which equated to choose two as a result of that was the subsequent choose behind the first-round choice it already owned.
Allen booted 53 targets for the Eagles in 2023 however solely 21 majors over his previous two seasons, which have been hampered by Achilles, calf and knee accidents.
Because the draft order stands at the moment, West Coast holds picks one, two, 13, 34, 38, 53 and 58.
Oscar Allen (left) and Harley Reid. Getty
Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson floated the prospect of West Coast giving up choose one to doubtlessly safe a good stronger draft hand.
“Do you assume from West Coast’s perspective, although, now with choose one and two, they really have a look at choose one and go, ‘Will we offload that to a different membership, possibly a Bombers, for 4 and 5, for instance, after which go into the draft with two, 4, 5 and 12?’ and actually construct their checklist, just like what Richmond did?” Johnson stated on Fox Footy.
“Richmond have accomplished an excellent job with the children that they’ve picked during the last 12 months.”
Eagles head of soccer John Worsfold stated the membership continued to barter with Allen and his administration all through the season however was “unable to succeed in an appropriate settlement”.
“We perceive the panorama of free company and the gamers’ proper to discover, and we now have determined to not match Brisbane’s provide introduced to Oscar,” Worsfold stated.
“Consequently, we now have obtained free-agency compensation at choice No.2 general, which is able to permit us so as to add extra elite younger expertise by way of the draft according to our checklist administration technique.
“As we farewell Oscar, we want him and his fiancée Lorna each success for his or her subsequent chapter.”
Allen stated he was “ecstatic” to land on the Lions.
“My accomplice Lorna and I are extremely excited to affix the Brisbane Lions soccer membership, and will probably be an thrilling journey for us shifting ahead,” Allen stated.
“We have already obtained an incredible quantity of assist from the membership, and we can’t wait to get to know the gamers and employees.”
