Greene and Neale free agency deals to test AFL compensation system
Free agency deals worth roughly $3 million to 33-year-olds Toby Greene and Lachie Neale test the AFL's compensation system.
Toby Greene and Lachie Neale, both 33, have signed three-year free agency deals at Geelong and Collingwood worth about $3 million across their contracts. The unusual offers to players this age are testing the AFL's compensation system.
The system has little past experience with such arrangements. Clubs believe compensation picks could be triggered in band two, fitting into the end of the first round.
If that happens, up to 11 picks could be pushed into the first 25 to 30 selections of this year's draft. The moves by Greene and Neale follow similar compensation discussions for Joel Amartey and Jordon Butts.
Their deals are worth around $3.5 million to $4 million over five years. Zak Butters and Ben King's expected departures would land band one compensation picks if they leave as free agents.
- 33 years old
- Greene and Neale age
- Just under $3 million
- Total contract value
- Up to 11 picks
- Potential draft picks affected
Why it mattersHow the AFL values compensation for 33-year-old free agents will reshape the draft order and set a precedent for future veteran signings.
AustraliaEvery AFL club's draft prospects depend on how the League applies its compensation rules to Greene and Neale, affecting which young players clubs can recruit.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 d ago
