‘AFL’s ‘Buddy Franklin Rule’ Seeks to Curb Extended Contracts for Clubs’

The AFL is placing responsibility directly on clubs regarding long-term player contracts, as calls grow louder to curb this practice.

Kane Cornes, a retired Port Adelaide premiership player, has emerged as a leading critic of clubs dishing out extended contracts.

Melbourne has faced criticism in recent seasons for its lucrative seven-year deal with troubled midfielder Clayton Oliver, who has expressed a desire to be traded away from the Demons during the past two trade periods.

Additionally, the Demons were compelled to compensate Angus Brayshaw for a lengthy contract last year after the star was forced into retirement due to concussion just before the start of the 2024 season.

Recently, Cornes aimed his criticism at St Kilda for committing to a long-term deal with key forward Max King.

King sustained an injury during training last week but fortunately avoided a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear.

“Max will continue to receive guaranteed payments until 2032, following a six-year extension added to a deal already extending through 2026,” Cornes remarked on X after news of King’s injury broke.

“For a player with history of injuries, this is a startling decision by St Kilda.”

“The landscape of list management in the AFL has never been more peculiar.”

To tackle these issues, the AFL has introduced what The Age refers to as the “Buddy Franklin rule”.

This regulation requires club boards and executives to approve contracts exceeding six years.

The league also retains the authority to reject contracts deemed “high-risk” for any reason it sees fit.

A memo outlining these changes was sent to clubs ahead of the 2024 season, yet clubs appear undeterred in their pursuit of extending contracts.

Lance Franklin’s move from Hawthorn to Sydney in 2013 for a staggering nine-year, $10 million contract sent shockwaves through the AFL.

The goal-kicking great fulfilled that entire contract and even signed a one-year extension, bringing his Swans tenure to a decade before retiring.

As it stands, the longest current deal in the AFL belongs to Hayden Young at Fremantle, who is contracted with the Dockers until the end of 2033.

Aaron Naughton (Bulldogs), Connor Rozee (Power), Sam Taylor (Giants), Noah Balta (Tigers), and King (Saints) are all tied to contracts until the conclusion of 2032, while six other players have contracts lasting until 2031.

In the midst of these developments, St Kilda is reportedly gearing up to propose a seven-year contract worth $12 million for Carlton’s promising talent, Tom de Koning.

Saints legend Nick Riewoldt expressed his support for this approach last week, stating that long-term contracts “aren’t as daunting as we often perceive them to be”.