Geelong coach Chris Scott would prefer free agency to be scrapped but recognises it is the system his club must abide by.
Scott said free agency was “distasteful” as he was questioned about Geelong’s efforts to land Melbourne defender James Frawley.
“I don’t think there are many people – maybe other than some of the players – that like free agency,” Scott said.
“I think all this is a little bit distasteful, and I think it’s a bit disrespectful to the individuals involved. Out of respect for the individual players we’re not going to engage in any more comment about it.”
The easiest solution to the escalating media and fan interest in high profile players swapping clubs was to abolish the system, he said.
“I think right at the moment the AFL is working really hard with the clubs and with all the stakeholders to equalise the competition and give everyone a fair chance, and I think free agency flies squarely in the face of that.”
Scott said the Cats had been on the receiving end of free agency as well.
“This is something we got our head around a long time ago. Geelong’s been attacked pretty hard, not just at a player level but with its coaches, with its administrators, with a chef at one point. This is the era that we live in.
“There’s been a move to promote more player movement and probably more staff movement across clubs.
“We’ve lived through it with (Gary) Ablett, we’ve lived through it with (Harry) Taylor, we’ve lived through it with Brian Cook and Neil Balme and Steve Hocking and Stephen Wells.
“We aren’t in favour of it, but we understand that’s the reality. We’re trying to take a mature approach to it and move on.
“We’re probably underrating a few really good players across the competition – I think history shows that most really good players, given a choice, would play at one club for their whole career.”
