The introduction of AFL free agency in 2012 was designed to allow players another vehicle to move between clubs, but also not affect competition equalisation measures.
In fact, free agency was created to promote equalisation with players able to get paid more money by lesser clubs and compensation provided to clubs for losing a player on a scaling system to their ladder position.
Whether you agree about equalisation or not - that's another debate - but it's pretty clear free agency isn't promoting what it was instigated for and the rules are being manipulated by AFL clubs - fairly.
Consecutive AFL premiership winners Brisbane are about to get stronger with West Coast captain Oscar Allen and Essendon ruckman Sam Draper joining the club via free agency next season.
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Allen and Draper are essentially fleeing clubs with not much prospect of success in the future - West Coast and Essendon - to ride the Lions wave - which will be favourite to win a third straight premiership in 2026.
There is no doubt Brisbane have earned their success, but they certainly don't need a further advantage, with father-sons Will and Levi Ashcroft plus Jaspa Fletcher joining in recent years, while their NGA academy has reaped the likes of Sam Marshall and has Daniel Annable to select in the upcoming draft.
The latest concerning factor with free agency is the possibility of Brisbane and West Coast using the rules to their advantage - in a way that the system wasn't designed.
With Allen and Draper joining the Lions as free agents, Brisbane won't be entitled to free agency compensation if they lose Brandon Starcevich via the movement mechanism to the Eagles.
However, there has been a suggestion that West Coast could trade their draft assistance pick given as compensation for struggling - currently at the end of first round - to the Lions for Starcevich, which will ensure two things.
It will mean West Coast won't dilute their free agency compensation for losing Allen, which will likely be pick No.2 in the draft, while the Lions will receive the Eagles' end of first round pick for Starcevich, when they would otherwise be entitled to no compensation if the player left as a free agent, with two free agents in Allen and Draper coming into their club.
Whether the possible advantages for the Eagles and Lions are fair or not - you can decide.
But it's pretty certain that the free agency rules are broken in multiple ways and it won't be long until some sort of changes are made.
How Brisbane-West Coast free agency dealings could be manipulated
Brisbane gains
Oscar Allen, Sam Draper, Draft selection end of first round (West Coast assistance pick)
Brisbane loses
Brandon Starcevich
West Coast gains
Brandon Starcevich, Draft selection no.2 (AFL given compensation for losing Allen)
West Coast loses
Oscar Allen, Draft selection end of first round (West Coast assistance pick)
How Brisbane-West Coast free agency dealings should work
Brisbane gains
Oscar Allen, Sam Draper
Brisbane loses
Brandon Starcevich
West Coast gains
Brandon Starcevich, Draft selection end of first round (AFL given compensation for losing Allen, but gaining Starcevich)
West Coast loses
Oscar Allen