The problems with free agency

[Thunder Shaker]

Free agency is designed to allow a player who has played a significant time at a club (ie, repaid the dept of draft pick used to get him), can negotiate a deal with a club of his choice to move there.

Its not designed for equalisation or anything else. Its designed to empower the player, and player only.
Player may choose to exercise it to:
1) Move back home. (if they are starting a family)
2) Follow the dollars. (Anyone who goes to Carlton)
3) Follow a premiership dream (Lynch to Richmond)
4) Escape the fishbowl (Buddy and Lynch).

The club he leaves should not expect "fair value" in return, and the compensation pick is generally below fair value.
However the club he goes to should pay a similar less-than-fair value.

Maybe a concept where the player (lets take Jeremy Cameron* as an example), nominates Geelong. Cameron enters the draft and Geelong have the same arrangement as an academy player. At some point in the draft, he gets bid on (Lets say, for arguments sake by Sydney at 3). Geelong can then match that bid with points. If they dont, Cameron has a choice. Stay at GWS, or go to Sydney. If he goes to Sydney, The Giants get the next available pick (4).

* Jeremy cameron is a restricted free agent, so not quite the same.

Another very interesting idea that's worth considering.

[bloodspirit]

You make some good points, barry. In particular it's true that free agency is designed primarily to empower players but the compensation existing, and being tied to the club's finishing position, is designed to provide some protection and equalisation for lower ranked clubs so that they're not trapped down the bottom of the table, starved off sucess, with players steadily leaving as they get to free agency because they've got more chances of winning flag elsewhere. Additional levers for equalisation are a good thing in my view.

[neilfws]

There's a good overview of free agency over the HPN Footy blog:

So how does free agency work (sort of)?

They also analyse and rate every trade as it happens using their player value system, worth following.