New AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon. Picture: afl.com.au
With the mid-season trade period expected to be announced for the 2025 AFL season, Port Adelaide champion Warren Tredrea suggested a loan system could benefit all parties.
On the House of Footy podcast, Tredrea suggested the updated trade period would be best for teams who require positions due to injuries.
“If you’re a team that’s dominating and then you get an injury and a ruckman or key position player goes down, you’re able to get a need.”
Tredrea proceeded to parlay this statement later in the podcast, speaking on who else would be positively affected by a loan period.
“Imagine a young Fremantle ruckman who’s a really good player… dominating in the WAFL, but can’t play because Sean Darcy and (Luke) Jackson are ripping the competition. It makes absolute sense (for a loan).
A loan option could positively impact fringe players as well, he was able to insert himself back into the Adelaide team late in the year, but Matt Crouch was a prime example of someone who might have enjoyed a temporary change of scenery.
Tredrea also noted the flexibility world football has, with the Bosman Transfer Ruling.
“If you’re out of contract, you can sign with anywhere you you want in the last six months of your deal,” he said.
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Tredrea also noted in the EPL “you can go on loan, provided that club pays your wages.”
If the AFL opted for something similar, we could see salary cap issues arise.
Clubs like Collingwood may be wary of such deals, given they’re paying a portion of Brodie Grundy’s salary, a player who’s moved twice since signing his deal.
Loan deals may provide opportunities to expand into the wider trade and free agency period, looking at EPL once more, Tredrea notes how clubs “have an option to buy or purchase” players who’ve gone out on loan.
Given the AFL deals with trades, not dollars, it may give clubs an opportunity to acquire players at a discounted rate, on a “loan with trade option” deal.
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