The AFL implemented the 'Buddy rule' last year to prevent clubs from making costly long-term contract mistakes, but the trend continues to grow. The rule requires club boards and CEOs to approve contracts six years or longer, forcing them to take full financial responsibility. Despite this, many teams are locking in players for a decade or more, citing factors like player development potential, competition for talent, and salary cap manipulation.
The growing trend of long-term AFL contracts, some running for a decade, saw the league implement a new rule last year trying to ensure mistakes aren’t made.
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin with former teammate Nick Blakey, who in 2023 signed a seven-year extension until the end of 2031. But it seems this rule is not having any real effect with the long-term contract trend only growing across the past 12 months.Fremantle is the most prolific user of long-term deals with Young plus three more players contracted until 2030 - Brennan Cox, Josh Treacy and Sean Darcy.
- The looming arrival of the Tasmania Devils team in 2028 and wanting to ensure players aren’t poached;
AFL Long-Term Contracts Buddy Franklin Rule Salary Cap Player Retention
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