Sportsday The problems with free agency & the eye test for Hawthorn (11.03.26)
Mar 11, 2026
A heated debate on how free agency and big-money offers reshape club balance and list management. Discussion of whether player moves are driven by cash, family or the chase for success. A proposal to limit top clubs' access to free agents sparks disagreement. A separate look at Hawthorn's shaky start and what passing the 'eye test' should actually show.
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Free Agency Is Making The Richer Clubs Richer
- Free agency is amplifying inequality by allowing wealthy successful clubs to outbid others for top talent.
- Gerard Healy and Ken Hinkley point to multi-million dollar offers (e.g., Adelaide's reported $10m for Zach Bailey) widening gaps between clubs.
Adelaide Built A Pool To Spend On Free Agents
- Adelaide's list management created a spending pool that funded big free-agent moves while keeping them a top team.
- Ken Hinkley cites Adelaide drafting well then using salary flexibility to recruit Dawson, Rankin and others, showing a deliberate multi-year plan.
Players Choose Success Over Salary
- Free agency often favours players wanting success over money, driving talent toward already successful clubs.
- Gerard Healy and Ken Hinkley note players choose contenders for a shot at success, not just pay, reinforcing top clubs' pull.