Yes this is the 50000 dollar question. We have never seen a player of PD's caliber in the draft. Its a bit unprecedented. Its very much the argument Ive been having in the Adelaide board. Im not sure how either party could be completely confident.
If there is some unwritten rule or understanding to not pick players in these circumstances it could mean the end of fair trading when a player wants to swap clubs.
As it stands Im not sure clubs have the balls to to pick a player against his will particularly given he has just walked out on a club for no other reason than wanting to be closer yo his family.
I'll explain what I meant.
1. It would be the National Draft, not the PSD.
2. The club drafting him would have to use its highly-valued pick between 1 and 8.
3. Unless he nominates his football payments, after he is drafted, he can insist on a 1-year contract.
4. He can insist on top dollar. If he doesn't like the club's offer, he has the right to arbitration. If he doesn't like the arbitrator's decision, he has the right to take it to the Appeals Board.
5. By the end of the season, the new CBA will be negotiated and in force.
6. Among the things the AFLPA have asked for in their 70-page submission are
- a reduction of Unrestricted Free Agency to 8 years, and
- portability of accrued Free Agency rights, ie they continue after a player changes clubs,
- no compo.
7. PD will be out of contract and have 9 years of service on the clock.
8. If the first 2 claims by the AFLPA get up (and you'd reckon they have to be a pretty good chance), PD will be an Unrestricted Free Agent and can go where he likes. If the third gets up, the club gets nothing for its high Rd 1 draft pick.
These are huge risks for a club to take.