THE AFL Players' Association will push to have the rule changed that allowed St Kilda to delist Nicholas Winmar after the NAB AFL Draft so it can't happen in the future
And St Kilda, the club that made the decision on Winmar, is welcoming a review of the guidelines too.
Winmar's shock at dramatic St Kilda sacking
Player relations manager Ian Prendergast said the association would lobby the AFL to change the rule so clubs can't delist contracted players after the second list lodgement, scheduled this year for November 14.
Under current arrangements, clubs can make their third and final list lodgement on November 29, a week after the national draft.
This leaves players who are delisted at this time - as happened to Winmar in 2012 - with few avenues remaining to be picked up by another club.
It also creates a perception the player delisted has done something drastically wrong to be cut so late in the exchange period.
While St Kilda's actions were within the rules and Winmar's contract payments were settled, the situation Winmar found himself in left many dismayed.
However, the Saints are open to the idea of changing the rule, with its head of football Chris Pelchen telling AFL.com.au it appreciated the concern.
"We appreciate that AFL list submission 3 ahead of the AFL pre-season draft can create some challenges for both players and clubs alike and would welcome a review of these guidelines for the benefit of all parties," Pelchen said.
The AFLPA is determined to have the situation fixed before the next exchange period.
"We'll be saying to the AFL 'a club shouldn't be able to delist a player who is contracted after the national draft'," Prendergast said.
"Whilst we disagree with the principle of clubs terminating a player's contract in these circumstances, that would be at least allow the player to explore options available elsewhere to further his AFL career."
If a contracted player is delisted after the national draft, Prendergast said that the club would still be responsible as per the playing contract to pay the player out if he does not find another club.
Clubs would still retain the flexibility to change their lists until after the third list lodgement date, scheduled for November 28 this year.
However, they would only be able to delist uncontracted players.
They could then be claimed as a delisted free agent or taken in the pre-season or rookie draft.
While many players think that is not ideal either, at least players in that position have some inkling that their AFL career might be over.
Prendergast said it was the rules governing what clubs could do at different times that needed tightening.
The issue is likely to be raised when the AFLPA meets the AFL this week to discuss aspects of the collective bargaining agreement.
Player relations manager Ian Prendergast said the association would lobby the AFL to change the rule so clubs can't delist contracted players after the second list lodgement, scheduled this year for November 14.
Under current arrangements, clubs can make their third and final list lodgement on November 29, a week after the national draft.
This leaves players who are delisted at this time - as happened to Winmar in 2012 - with few avenues remaining to be picked up by another club.
It also creates a perception the player delisted has done something drastically wrong to be cut so late in the exchange period.
While St Kilda's actions were within the rules and Winmar's contract payments were settled, the situation Winmar found himself in left many dismayed.
However, the Saints are open to the idea of changing the rule, with its head of football Chris Pelchen telling AFL.com.au it appreciated the concern.
"We appreciate that AFL list submission 3 ahead of the AFL pre-season draft can create some challenges for both players and clubs alike and would welcome a review of these guidelines for the benefit of all parties," Pelchen said.
The AFLPA is determined to have the situation fixed before the next exchange period.
"We'll be saying to the AFL 'a club shouldn't be able to delist a player who is contracted after the national draft'," Prendergast said.
"Whilst we disagree with the principle of clubs terminating a player's contract in these circumstances, that would be at least allow the player to explore options available elsewhere to further his AFL career."
If a contracted player is delisted after the national draft, Prendergast said that the club would still be responsible as per the playing contract to pay the player out if he does not find another club.
Clubs would still retain the flexibility to change their lists until after the third list lodgement date, scheduled for November 28 this year.
However, they would only be able to delist uncontracted players.
They could then be claimed as a delisted free agent or taken in the pre-season or rookie draft.
While many players think that is not ideal either, at least players in that position have some inkling that their AFL career might be over.
Prendergast said it was the rules governing what clubs could do at different times that needed tightening.
The issue is likely to be raised when the AFLPA meets the AFL this week to discuss aspects of the collective bargaining agreement.
