GEELONG superstar and AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield has said he believes the newly announced Tasmanian team should have access to contracted players from rival clubs ahead of their inaugural 2028 season.<\/p>\n
To have Tasmania competitive straight away, Dangerfield said the new franchise should be able to recruit one player from every club – no matter their contract status – if they choose to join the AFL\u2019s 19th side.<\/p>\n
On top of draft concessions, Dangerfield said a move like this would allow the AFL to build up their new club properly.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy view is that the Tasmanian team should have access to contracted players,\u201d Dangerfield said on SEN Mornings.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne from every club, regardless of contract, if they choose to join Tasmania, then they should be able to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether there’s a mechanism for reimbursement to those clubs, I’m not really sure. I don’t think it really makes much sense [to do that].<\/p>\n
\u201cI think if we’re going to do this and do this properly, then Tasmania should have access to not only the best talent, but the best possible people in order to create something that’s truly unique and truly special.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether clubs should receive any kind of protection for losing contracted players to Tasmania, Dangerfield said that should come by creating a strong club environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour level of protection is providing an environment for your players that they don’t want to leave,\u201d Dangerfield said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat it does is promote clubs to provide the best possible environment, so they don’t want to leave because the environment they’re in is successful.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt generates competition with the existing clubs to provide a great framework for their players to enjoy and not want to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is what I would say would make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
The AFL is yet to announce what draft concessions and player recruitment policies the new side will have access to.<\/p>\n