MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Fox Footy commentator David King speaks to camera during the Round 4 AFL match between North Melbourne v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

David King has heavily criticised the AFL's free agency compensation formula after some seemingly peculiar compensation picks were handed out to start this year's proceedings.

Mabior Chol left Richmond having struggled for regular senior football for the Gold Coast. He was an unrestricted free agent and thus was able to pick his club and leave.

The Tigers were awarded an end-of-second-round selection, currently Pick 38.

Sydney landed an end-of-second-round pick for the loss of George Hewett. However, the Swans could have retained the 25-year-old as he was a restricted free agent. All they had to do was match Carlton's offer. They opted not to.

Hewett played 21 games in 2021 compared to just then ten for Chol. One player was seemingly a key part of his team's plans while another struggled to get a game.

King said while there was a place for compensation, the AFL had to sort out a proper system.

“It’s a bit like watching the wrestling. We all know it‘s bulls***, but there’s a place for it and we need it,” he told foxfooty.com.au.

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“I like it being a bit weighted and pliable. Melbourne needed that Pick 3, it became Angus Brayshaw.

“OK you’re losing Frawley, but you’re getting Brayshaw, so it’s a down payment on seven year’s time. Can you afford to not have that for the teams that need it?

“I think you need compensation, but in saying that I don’t know how they come to the decision of Pick 3 or Pick 21 or whatever it is …. but I like it.”

Jake Kelly departed Adelaide for Essendon as an unrestricted free agent with the Crows netting pick 42 in the National Draft.

In previous seasons the formula has been heavily questioned. In the year Frawley left Melbourne in return for pick 3, Lance Franklin left the Hawks.

Hawthorn went on to receive pick 19 despite Franklin being on a 9-year deal worth $10 million.