Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie has taken aim at the AFL for the controversial compensation system tied to departing free agents.
Eyebrows were raised last week when Josh Battle’s move to Hawthorn and Harry Perryman’s switch to Collingwood both netted band one compensation for St Kilda and GWS respectively.
The Saints landed pick No.8, while the Giants netted pick No.16.
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As a result, the Cats’ first pick shifted back from No.15 to No.17, which weakens what they can offer the Western Bulldogs for Bailey Smith.
The AFL’s compensation formula is often ridiculed, with the team losing the free agent gaining a pick as per the player’s new contract.
Effectively, the Saints and Giants both gained top compensation because the contracts offered to Battle and Perryman are in the top five per cent of the competition.
Both have reportedly signed six-year deals at approximately $850,000-$900,000 per season.
Mackie said it was “generous” while calling for the AFL to “quarantine” the first round of the draft.
“Yeah it (the compensation) felt generous with a couple of those guys (Josh Battle and Harry Perryman),” Mackie said on Trade Radio.
“By definition, it means they’re in the top five per cent paid players in the comp – that’s what gets you tier one or band one which lands in there.
“I think there are ways where you can quarantine the first round in compensation.”
He also took a dig at St Kilda president Andrew Bassat.
Bassat slammed the AFL’s father-son and academy system as “rubbish” in a massive critique at the club’s best and fairest night.
“The system, it’s not a level playing field as we all know,” Bassat said at the function.
“The more I look at it, the system is designed to favour the wealthier clubs and designed to favour the northern clubs. Our role, is meant to be to make up the numbers, and not complain about it.
“In terms of what we’re doing about it, it’s fair to say that our club is sick and tired of meekly accepting its rubbish.”
Mackie suggested it was a “well-timed” comment from Bassat.
“Andrew Bassat would be feeling pretty good about things, strategically well-timed,” he said.
St Kilda footy boss Dave Misson said he felt the compensation was “fair and reasonable” and chose not to bite back at Mackie.
“Really, it’s out of our hands. I saw Andrew’s comments and I suppose all you can assume is Josh was in the top five per cent of salaries in the competition and that’s why we received the band one,” he said on Trade Radio.