AFLPA president opposes limits on AFL contract lengths

Collingwood captain and AFLPA president Darcy Moore was in stark defence of capping long-term contracts, unless it was "the right thing for the game".

The constant discourse surrounding length of player contracts is a major talking point in the league, and was revived when Carlton signed Sam Walsh to an eight-year extension, until the end of 2034. Walsh joined Kysaiah Pickett and Hayden Young as the longest-contracted players.

However, there has been growing concern over long-term deals, with three stars (Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Charlie Curnow) all opting out of their contracts for various reasons.

"I think for us it's certainly not one that we are interested in entertaining, the idea of capping contracts for players," Moore told The Agenda Setters.

"We support players' right to explore without limits. I think the reality is clubs are accountable to their own performance.

"If they're going to assign players to long-term contracts, then they're the ones that are ultimately accountable."

Moore insisted that there's other restrictions on players, such as the draft and free agency, and that caps on contracts isn't something the AFLPA is considering.

"We don't want to see more restrictions placed on players," he added.

"We already have the national draft. Players don't choose where they get drafted. Players have restrictions around free agency already of eight, 10-year service.

"So adding another one, capping contracts once players are of that age where they can earn is not something that we're looking at."