Free agency has been in the AFL landscape for some years now, granting the players freedom and choice, in where and with whom they want to play for, when they reach a certain point in their careers.

There is no hiding away from the fact, players are meeting with other clubs in order to further progress in their personal development, because this is precisely what AFL is for young players a career.

Players and their respective managers are meeting with other clubs, to explore the potential of further opportunity - it is something we should not shy away from. Lin Jong, is a terrific example of a young player exploring what else is out there in terms of opportunity. Probably next time, he would make it a little more private, or is that simply the way we are moving in a sporting code?

I’m not here to say whether it was right or wrong. It is simply the way the industry has worked and will continue to operate.

But could it become more prevalent? 

Source: sfbay.ca Featured: Kevin Durant

Let’s switch codes and countries now to the NBA in the United States. Sure it seems the salary cap and player payments are endless, but they are not. The industry and population is much larger and as we know it, basketball is a worldwide sport, which has fans from all over the world tuning in, regardless of the time of day.

Free agency in the NBA has existed for a significant amount of time. We in the AFL community are only coming to terms to what is just the beginning.

Recent headlines have revolved around the decision, which Kevin Durant made crossing from his team of nine years, Oklahoma City Thunder – to western conference rival and superstar lined team, Golden State Warriors.

Money was never an issue for Durant, with US$300m high-end sponsorship deals with Nike providing him with more money then his on court payments. His goal was to pursue success and the only measure of real success in such a cut-throat industry is that of a NBA Championship.

The issue for the fans, is the choice of moving to a team, which is already clearly so successful. In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors broke the 1996 Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls home and away season record of 72-10 with 73 wins and 9 losses of their own. They were also a very close runner-up in this season’s NBA Finals. (Shout out to Australian Matthew Dellavedova for becoming another Australian champion).

Fremantle FC player, Nat Fyfe and Hawthorn FC player, Sam Mitchell   Source: The Examiner

In context, can you imagine if Nat Fyfe (Fremantle Dockers) decided to leave Perth and join forces with Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and the almighty Hawks? The football world would surely go into meltdown. This is basically the equivalent of what Kevin Durant has done. In the United States this is becoming a regular occurrence now - superstar athletes are joining forces with great teams to chase the dream of championship/title success.

AFL players have every right to enquire about what might be on offer at rival clubs. And the throwback from fans, will be similar to that of the Oklahoma City fans –venting frustration at Kevin Durant’s decision. The same would occur, if Nat Fyfe decided to pursue 'the premiership dream' elsewhere.

Here in Australia, we are at the early stages of AFL free agency, but we need to ask ourselves; will we become the next America in sports, where top athletes will join forces with already established teams, in order to be crowned a champion for that one day in September?