BRISBANE has lashed the AFL’s free agency compensation formula after receiving only pick 39 for departing ruckman Matthew Leuenberger.
Leuenberger’s deal with Essendon saw the Lions handed an end-of-second-round pick, which will push into the 40s after other compensation picks are allocated.
The Herald Sun understands the Lions are seriously considering matching Leuenberger’s deal and forcing him to be traded to Essendon for an earlier pick.
“It’s chook lotto,” Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann told the Herald Sun on Tuesday.
“The system is flawed because you have got no clear line of sight about what compensation is going to be.
“In our case it’s the end of the second round, which equates to 39. It is inadequate compensation for a former No. 4 pick. The sooner there is an overhaul of the system the better.”
The Lions have until Thursday to decide whether to let Leuenberger head to Essendon or match a deal.
The Herald Sun reported last month for Brisbane to be handed a first-round compensation pick for Leuenberger he would need to be paid $700,000 a year.
But the Lions were hopeful of a pick after the first round of the draft or even attached to their second round pick.
West Coast’s Trevor Nisbett said on Monday of the Scott Selwood pick (37): “Why have restricted free agency and free agency compensation if you are to be treated with such disrespect?”
“He was our vice-captain, he has been trained up by the club and we need to replace him,” he said.
“Geelong has spoken about the leadership qualities Scott brings and we know that.
“We think we acted in a totally professional manner in allowing Scott to go to Geelong, the club of his choice, for a number of compelling reasons and his value has only been judged on how much money he gets paid.
“The AFL will say that we had the right to match the offer, and yes we did, but it was not in the interests of the player or the club. The level of compensation for losing our vice-captain is totally inadequate.