Patrick Dangerfield won't rule out AFL player strike action during preseason competition over pay deal
Updated
Geelong's Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield says a player strike during the AFL preseason competition next year is a possibility if the league cannot reach a collective bargaining agreement by February.
The AFL announced its 2017 preseason fixtures on Wednesday but Dangerfield, an AFL Players Association (AFLPA) board member, says players are frustrated talks have stalled.
AFLPA delegates are meeting this week to discuss the stalled talks with the AFL and they hope to also speak with league chief executive Gillon McLachlan in the coming days.
The players are insisting on a guaranteed share of revenue and Dangerfield says a strike is one possible course of action if they are not satisfied.
"It's a chance," he said.
"I'm not saying it's a definite possibility but certainly if nothing gets done then we need to look at all avenues in order to secure a deal."
Dangerfield says it is crucial the AFL listens to the players.
"Without us as players, there is no game. It starts with us, and we're part of the AFL, we understand that there's other areas of the game that need to be catered for as well," he said.
"That's engagement, that's stadiums, but without players, there is no competition."
Dangerfield wants McLachlan to speak with players
Dangerfield says he was hoping McLachlan would be able to attend this week's meetings.
"I think we've got the representatives coming from every single club across the country, [we've got] players coming from Western Australia," he said.
"So it's not too far [for McLachlan] to drive down the highway, I think."
However, the AFL says while McLachlan will not be attending the meeting, two members of the AFL executive, Andrew Dillon and Ray Gunston, will be attending.
Dangerfield says the players are united.
"We have a clear direction from all 850 players, who we as a PA (players association) represent and it is not until we satisfy our needs as players that we will be satisfied," he said.
Dangerfield says the AFLPA is within its rights to "look at all avenues" in order to secure a deal but he acknowledges progress will not be made until the "conversation starts".
An AFL spokesman says the league expects "to get an agreement reached with the players that rewards them" but it is "not engaged" in day-to-day discussion with the AFLPA.
Topics: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, geelong-3220
First posted
