The AFL Players' Association welcomes the AFL Commission's approval of the recommendations put to it by the AFL / AFLPA Player Movement Working Party.

The AFL Players' Association is particularly encouraged that the AFL Commission has recommended that a mechanism be further explored to provide AFL players with a right of self determination in pursuing their professional careers, by accepting recommendation (E) of the Player Movement Working Committee Recommendation, which reads as follows:

Recommendation: The AFL acknowledges that the principle that AFL players who meet designated criteria ought to have a right of self determination in pursuing their professional careers should be further examined and explored in good faith by the AFL and the AFLPA with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable resolution on the designated criteria on or before 31 December 2008.

The AFL Players' Association looks forward to further discussing the designated criteria upon which free agency might be based, with the AFL in the near future.

The AFL Players' Association was also pleased that the AFL Commission endorsed the other Working Party recommendations, including:

Allowing a player who is not contracted on or before October 31 to be now eligible to nominate for that's years National Draft and / or the Pre Season Draft;
The rise in age to 18 (on or before December 31 in the year of the Draft) for players to be eligible for the National Draft;
The ability of previously senior listed players (but who have not made a senior debut) to be eligible as mature age rookies; and
The removal of restrictions regarding the number of players able to be traded from one club in a single year.

AFL Players' Association Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale was particularly pleased and encouraged with the AFL Commission's endorsement of the recommendation that free agency be further explored, and in particular the framework around which free agency might be based.

"AFL players are serious about the issue of free agency. The direction from our members is very clear and very strong. As such we will continue our discussions with the AFL to achieve a form of free agency for AFL players.

"The AFLPA respects the importance of having rules within the AFL which promote an even competition, and we consider that the responsible introduction of free agency rights for AFL players will promote competitive balance and also assist in the expansion of the AFL competition."

"My team and I look forward to further discussion under the Working Party and we remain confident that a form of free agency will be introduced to the AFL in the short term." Mr Gale said.