Fact The 10 year rule of 1973

[Jascave]

The recent announcement by the AFL re free agency (players who have 8 years service can move to the club in choice in 2012) revives memories of the 10 year rule that was in for a short period in 1973.

That year the then VFL announced that any player who had played 10 years at a certain club can move to the new club of their choice automatically.

Ironically North Melbourne, which was to be the main winners from the rule initally voted against the rule being effected.

But within 48 hours of the rule being in force, North moved quickly and interviewed 22 players who were eligible for the rule; among them players such as Geelong's Doug Wade, Essendon's Barry Davis, St Kilda's Carl Ditterich, Carlton's Adrian Gallagher, and South Melbourne's John Rantall.

Wade, Rantall and Davis eventually signed for North Melbourne, Ditterich went to Melbourne and Geelong Gareth Andrews signed with Richmond.

But the rule wasn't without its problem.

During the early part of 1973, the late Sir Maurice Nathan who was the then president of the VFL, took time out from a VFL dinner to attack players 'for their lack of loyalty.'

Finally, in May 1973, the VFL announced that the 10 year rule would be abolished.

And within 2 years, in 1975, Wade, Rantall and Davis would end up being part of North's first premiership that year.

 

[krisholio14]

The recent announcement by the AFL re free agency (players who have 8 years service can move to the club in choice in 2012) revives memories of the 10 year rule that was in for a short period in 1973.

That year the then VFL announced that any player who had played 10 years at a certain club can move to the new club of their choice automatically.

Ironically North Melbourne, which was to be the main winners from the rule initally voted against the rule being effected.

But within 48 hours of the rule being in force, North moved quickly and interviewed 22 players who were eligible for the rule; among them players such as Geelong's Doug Wade, Essendon's Barry Davis, St Kilda's Carl Ditterich, Carlton's Adrian Gallagher, and South Melbourne's John Rantall.

Wade, Rantall and Davis eventually signed for North Melbourne, Ditterich went to Melbourne and Geelong Gareth Andrews signed with Richmond.

But the rule wasn't without its problem.

During the early part of 1973, the late Sir Maurice Nathan who was the then president of the VFL, took time out from a VFL dinner to attack players 'for their lack of loyalty.'

Finally, in May 1973, the VFL announced that the 10 year rule would be abolished.

And within 2 years, in 1975, Wade, Rantall and Davis would end up being part of North's first premiership that year.

He was part of the deal that got us Rex Hunt, not the 10 year rule.

The other player that signed under the 10 year rule apart from Rantall, Davis, Wade, Ditterich and Gallagher was George Bisset who went from Footscray to Collingwood.

 

[My North]

was a good rule, it helped North win the flag in 1975, our first one.


Go North

 

[Jascave]

The interesting thing about the 10 year rule is when Barry Davis, John Rantall and Doug Wade went to North, all three were captains of their respective clubs when they left to go to North-Wade (Geelong), Davis (Essendon), Rantall (South). That gave new North coach Ron Barassi a problem-who would captain the Kangaroos? Davis got the job.

 

[Frothies Mcveigh]

Will be interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[desie]

This rule was brought in in response to some major clearance issues which were taking place in Rugby League during the late 60's/early 70's, specifically involving Dennis Tutty, who was forced to stand out of that game after being denied a move from Balmain to Penrith and subsequently took court action.

The VFL obviously felt that they needed to avert a similar situation, thus the 10 year rule was born.

Interestingly, when Carl Ditterich signed with the Demons he actually signed a North Melbourne contract with all references to "North" crossed out after a disagreement with North over the terms of their deal.

Another point of interest was that none of the three players that North signed played for the club again after the '75 flag. Wade was on the way out anyway, but Davis said that he couldn't handle any more of Barassi's methods and Rantall went back to South, which he later said was one of his great regrets.

 

[GetDimmaBack]

Could be a fiasco, this free agency thing.

The 10 year rule lasted one year...



Those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

- George Santayana

 

[Kingpin]

Another point of interest was that none of the three players that North signed played for the club again after the '75 flag. Wade was on the way out anyway, but Davis said that he couldn't handle any more of Barassi's methods and Rantall went back to South, which he later said was one of his great regrets.

Stan Alves? Or was he later? Crossed from Melbourne. Can't think at the moment.
I know he was in the '77 premiership team, can't remember if he was in the '75 team though. I thought he was.
I seem to recall Ditterich was on a $62k contract at Melbourne.

 

[desie]

Stan Alves? Or was he later? Crossed from Melbourne. Can't think at the moment.
I know he was in the '77 premiership team, can't remember if he was in the '75 team though. I thought he was.
I seem to recall Ditterich was on a $62k contract at Melbourne.

Alves crossed in '77.

According to his book he couldn't decide between North and Collingwood so he flipped a coin.

Funnily enough six months later the two teams played off in the GF.

He had to stand out of football until well into the season as Melbourne wouldn't give him a clearance.

 

[ivan rassmussen]

The interesting thing about the 10 year rule is when Barry Davis, John Rantall and Doug Wade went to North, all three were captains of their respective clubs when they left to go to North-Wade (Geelong), Davis (Essendon), Rantall (South). That gave new North coach Ron Barassi a problem-who would captain the Kangaroos? Davis got the job.

Sorry for the bump, but Davis was captain of Essendon in 1971. Tuddy was captain-coach in 72. So Davis became captain at North after being the only 10-year recruit who WASN'T captain of his club when he moved.