FREE agency has "destroyed" equalisation in the AFL and could have a lasting effect on the future of the competition, Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane says.
Cochrane believes high-profile players and clubs near the top of the ladder have exploited the free agency system, comparing it to the English Premier League where top-flight clubs farm the services of the best players.
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"We say we have equalisation in play when really you do not at all, because free agency slaughters that and the draft system is slaughtered by it," Cochrane told Fairfax Media.
"You cannot say to people you have competitive balance and equalisation and then have this system that lets players go from weaker clubs to the strong.
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"Either be honest and say it's a free-for-all and everyone have a crack, or have an equalisation system. Just be honest; do you want a free-for-all free agency or do you want equalisation? Because you have neither at the moment and it's a disaster.
"The only free agents who walk now are free agents who leave lower clubs and go to stronger clubs."
Cochrane is concerned about what that will mean for the future of the competition.
"I am not about talking about any one free agent. I am about raising attention that if they continue with this it's going to be a massive long-term problem for the AFL," Cochrane said.
"Look at the bottom four of the last five years it is the same culprits, the same names cropping up.
"You have to give people hope, you don't give them hope if you give them draft picks and they then just leave as free agents to stronger clubs."
Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch has not yet recommitted to the club, with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley openly declaring his side's interest for the free agent in an interview on Channel Nine on Monday night.
Richmond and Hawthorn are reportedly the other clubs in the running to secure the services of the spearhead.
Cochrane said it was too late to change the free agency model, but wanted the AFL to look closely at the existing compensation system.
"The horse has bolted, you clearly cannot change free agency and get rid of it because the Players Association have got it and won't let it go, but the AFL have to find a better way to compensate clubs for losing players," Cochrane said.
"Free agency will eventually turn the AFL into the English Premier League with the same four or five clubs at the bottom and the same four or five at the top. It is rewarding the strong clubs and punishing the poor.
"We have been playing by the Marquess of Queensberry's rules, but if you won't then I can be Robin Hood and start taking from the rich and giving to the poor."
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