SEN Chief Broadcaster Gerard Whateley believes free agency is working exactly how he and other critics assumed it would back when the concept was brought in.
Whateley said the AFLPA explained the idea as one that would benefit players struggling to get regular games, but admits he and others never believed that.
“It’s not that everything’s hunky dory about the Tom Lynch to Richmond debate, it’s just that it’s not about Richmond, it’s about free agency,” Whateley said.
“I don’t think you have to delve too deep to realise this isn’t how free agency was intended to work, but it was always going to.
“I remember sitting in the meeting with the Player’s Association when they were agitating for it and unveiled it and it was a spirited discussion as they said it was for the mid-tier players struggling to get opportunity, so to stimulate the capacity to move elsewhere and get going.
“We made the counter-argument that everywhere around the world it leads to the best players going to the most powerful clubs and I think that’s what free agency is obviously delivering.”
Lynch is reportedly set to join Richmond as the Pies and Hawks were informed they’re out of the race.