Unlike most other professional sports that involve trading, we require the player/s in question to agree to the move.
I don't see why this is the case. If it's in the CBA, the AFL should throw this out, in exchange for looser free agency rules. Here's some changes I'd like to see to facilitate player movement, without handcuffing clubs:
1. Restrict national draft to players under 20, who have never been drafted. Abolish pre-season draft.
Why? Prevent players ransoming teams in conjunction with other changes. Keeps the national draft to be purely a way to obtain the rights to new young players.
2. AFL clubs only draft rights to players, are not obliged to add them to list. Rights held for 2 years.
Why? That kid you drafted pick #65 may be a list clogger. Let him plug away in the V/SAN/WA FLs to prove worth.
3. Creation of senior and minor lists. Reduction of senior list size, increase in total contract size. Abolish 'rookie' list. Senior list payments count to salary cap.
Why? Allow clubs flexibility over their squads and salary caps. Inured players no longer count.
4. Drop the number of seasons requirement for UFAs and replace an age (24/25ish) or games (100... see F/S rule) requirement.
Why? Give the players an ability to move if they want to. Also allows 'mature-age' recruits UFA privileges (eg. James Podsiadly currently has no way to move from Geelong if he wants, same with Ian Callinan and Adelaide).
5. If necessary keep the top 25% RFA category. Add RFA category for out of contract players who do not meet the age or games requirement.
Why? Clubs want some compo for losing superstars. Young players want to move as well (see Caddy / Stevens / Wellingham). There's no reason they should be restricted if out of contract, or should have to re-negotiate the draft.
6. Clubs who sign RFAs forfeit draft picks as compensation based on average annual salary of RFA's contract.
Why? You poach, you pay. And it stops the below. Also stops the hand-wringing over what is fair compensation if it is listed and written. (eg. Goddard goes for huge contract, Essendon forfeit 1st and 2nd round picks to St Kilda in following year's draft, 2013 in this case).
7. No other magical fairy compensation draft picks.
Why? The hardcore AFL fans are sick of the AFL screwing with the draft. The less invested have no idea what is going on and it puts them off. The casual don't care. The only advantage to the fairy picks is keeping some clubs happy.
8. Abolish trade period. Add trade deadline / free agent deadlines which end mid season.
Why? Drop the restriction. Remove the want for a mid season draft. Allow teams with an early season ending injury to LTI the player and sign a free agent from the V/SAN/WA FLs if they want to cover and have the contract and salary space.
Lastly, get some god damned tampering rules written up a la the assistant coach rules.