Demetriou said the League was open to approaches made by sportsmen interested in an AFL swap, as was the case with new GWS recruit Israel Folau.
“We were happy to sit down and talk to [Israel] and his management and put him through some testing and some due diligence,” he said on Friday.
“I don’t think he’s the only player that’s interested in approaching the AFL. Where that goes, who knows?
“We’re not out there seeking NRL players or ARU players. We’re a sport that’s certainly in the market for talent and there’s some wonderful talent out there.
“If people want to be part of an industry that’s going well, that’s got 740 players on their list and about to go to 840, we will welcome them. I think it’s going to be very competitive, like it should be.”
Demetriou said NRL CEO David Gallop had not expressed any concern over Folau and Gold Coast’s Karmichael Hunt’s decision to leave rugby league.
He also said he understood the current AFL players’ views that both Folau and Hunt would be overpaid as the new franchises’ centrepieces.
Carlton captain Chris Judd, West Coast ruckman Dean Cox and Brisbane Lions forward Brendan Fevola have all expressed concern over the contracts, with Fevola stating it was “a slap in the face” to established AFL players.
“Everyone is entitled to a view,” Demetriou said.
“Once all the facts are out there and once we sit down with the players and explain what really makes up the composition of these players, they’ll have a better understanding.
“You can understand why, with some of the stories that have been peddled around, they would think this was over the top.
“The way things are going, Israel Folau will be on $40 million dollars a year by the end of the week. It seems to climb on a daily basis.
“In the main, the players understand we’re trying to grow the game in New South Wales and Queensland, and if we do that all of them will share in the upside.”
Demetriou said the League would work with the AFLPA when negotiating next year’s new collective bargaining agreement and total player payments.
He also congratulated Thursday night’s Hall of Fame inductees, Wayne Carey, Brian Dixon, Stan Heal, Tony Shaw, Ross Smith and Gavin Wanganeen, and hailed the legend elevation of nine-time Fitzroy best and fairest winner Kevin Murray.
Demetriou was particularly pleased for Carey, whose eligibility has been questioned over recent years owing to his colourful off-field life.
“He’s been a great champion of the game,” he said.
“I know Wayne understands he’s made mistakes in his life and he’s doing his best to change his life for the better.
“He’s been a great contributor to the game and I think hopefully after last night he can put that behind him and continue to move forward.
“There wouldn’t be anyone in the room who wouldn’t think he’s been a great contributor to the game. You don’t see many Wayne Careys who have played the game.”
