THE AFL player union is determined to revamp free agency next year as another quality target was locked away yesterday.

Fremantle’s David Mundy yesterday rejected the “pull” of Victoria, signing a lucrative deal with the Dockers.

That deal is guaranteed for three seasons and has an option for a fourth year, locking him away in West Australia for his football life.

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Free agency has quickly become a fizzer, turned into a vehicle for stars to leverage huge contracts with their existing clubs.

The player union wants to bring in free agency after six years (restricted) and eight years (unrestricted) with veteran players who complete four years at a second club also eligible.

AFLPA interim boss Ian Prendergast said he was concerned clubs with huge salary cap space but no recent on-field success could not lure free agents.

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What shaped as a tool for competitive balance has seen the strong get stronger — with Lance Franklin, Eddie Betts, Xavier Ellis, Dale Thomas, Matt White and Colin Sylvia all leaving for clubs promising instant success last year.

Melbourne’s James Frawley is the one remaining free agent with real promise from a list of 57 unrestricted and restricted free agents circulated by the AFL in March.

Under current rules, clubs can match deals to keep restricted free agents (eight years service) but those who qualify as unrestricted free agents (10 years) can go to a club of their choice.

media_camera Bulldog Shaun Higgins has put off contract talks until season’s end. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The AFL and AFLPA will review free agency after this year’s third season of free player movement.

“It is one thing for us to introduce competitive balance measures to ensure clubs spend 100 per cent of the salary cap, but they also need to be able to access talent through free agency,’’ Prendergast said.

“We are seeing the numbers on the free agency list dwindle to nearly none so perhaps its worth looking at reducing the years of eligibility.

“Then clubs can sell a longer-term vision and they can lure those players as part of their plans. It goes to the heart of our argument about why it needs stripping back.”

Western Bulldogs free agent Shaun Higgins is putting off talks until later in the year, happy at Whitten Oval but keen to reduce distractions.

His manager Bruce Kaider, who closely follows American free agency with client Andrew Bogut, said mid-season trades and earlier free agency would stimulate the market.

“If you look at unrestricted free agents, they will only look to go to a club for success given they only have two or three years left,’’ he said.

media_camera Collingwood’s Tyson Goldsack is on the free agents list. Picture: Simon Cross

“If it was five and seven years, a player would be prepared to go to Greater Western Sydney because in a few years they might be a contender.

“Free agency hasn’t had the significant impact that everyone first thought it would.

“I think the AFL should look at mid-season trades. It would make things interesting. If you looked at a side like the Bulldogs who would do with a key forward, rather than wait until the end of the year you could strike a deal mid-season by a certain deadline and it would give them the tools to really make a push for finals.”

Current Free Agents ...

ADELAIDE: Jason Porplyzia, David Mackay

BRISBANE: Ash McGrath

CARLTON: Jarrad Waite

COLLINGWOOD: Nick Maxwell, Tyson Goldsack

ESSENDON: Dustin Fletcher, Leroy Jetta, Jason Winderlich

FREMANTLE: Garrick Ibbotson, Luke McPharlin, Matthew Pavlich

GEELONG: Corey Enright

media_camera Melbourne’s James Frawley is reportedly playing hard ball with his current club. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

HAWTHORN: Brad Sewell

MELBOURNE: James Frawley

NORTH MELBOURNE: Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey

PORT ADELAIDE: Domenic Cassisi, Kane Cornes, Tom Logan, Paul Stewart

RICHMOND: Jake King, Chris Newman

ST KILDA: Sam Fisher, Jarryn Geary, James Gwilt, Lenny Hayes, Clint Jones

SYDNEY: Adam Goodes, Nick Malceski, Ryan O’Keefe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson

WEST COAST: Sam Butler, Dean Cox, Matt Rosa

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Shaun Higgins, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Giansiracusa, Dale Morris, Robert Murphy, Tom Williams