AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou hailed the three-week trade period as a success despite its length and club anger over compensation selections.

Demetriou said the fact 35 players changing clubs in a mainly seamless movement of players showed the system was working.



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But with the league and AFLPA to undertake a review of the trade and free agency system, the 21-day length of the period and the presence of compensation picks are both up in the air.

Hawthorn was flummoxed to receive only pick 19 for Lance Franklin, with many stakeholders believing the compensation selections should be abolished.

There is an admission from the league that the period also got bogged down for several days as clubs waited for compensation selections before resuming trading with rivals.

Demetriou would not comment on whether he believed compensation picks should go, but said free agency had not caused the heartburn many people feared.

“Overall we had 35 player movements. We talked about it briefly at the executive meeting today. We talked about the length of it, and there is an issue around that time when those compensation picks (are allocated), those three or four days when not much happens.

“But on balance we were pleased with it, given the movement created and the maturity and sophistication around some of the trades.

“I understand the argument about it being a little too long, but players got to go interstate (for medicals) and that took time. It was pleasing save for the issue around compensation picks, and I am sure (AFL officials) Andrew Dillon and Mark Evans will have a chat about that.”

He said if the AFL did eradicate compensation picks after a formal review it would tell clubs before Round 1 so they could plan accordingly.

“If there is any way we can improve (free agency) we will look at it, but on balance after a couple of years it hasn’t been as bad as people predicted. It is pretty good.”

Demetriou was less thrilled about the International Rules Test series, which drew poor crowds and worse results for Australia.

But he has not conceded defeat on the format, which was once a cash cow and fan favourite for both countries.

“I haven’t had a briefing yet from Mark (Evans). There won’t be a knee-jerk reaction. Obviously it was disappointing on the weekend. It was not where we need to be. It is not where the series should finish. We have enjoyed crowds of 80,000 at Croke Park, and normally there is more competition. But I hope the International Rules series doesn’t finish on that note.”

He said the AFL representative game being considered for March was likely to go ahead but not set in concrete.

The AFL wants a marquee contest to replace the NAB Cup Grand Final, but no format has yet been agreed upon.

Originally published as Demetriou: trade month a winner