The Australian Football League Players Association has written to the AFL "asking whether the trade ban placed on Sydney is reversible, believing it may cost some players their careers," according to Emma Quayle of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. New AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh "contacted the league late last week, after it was revealed the Swans had been told they could not trade players into the club this year or next unless the club immediately stopped paying the cost of living allowance." The club -- also banned from recruiting restricted or unrestricted free agents -- "is unable to stop paying COLA given the money is written into players' contracts during the two-year phase out." Marsh said, "This may cost players their careers, and that's why we're so concerned about the lack of consultation. ... Some of the people I've spoken to have some concerns for the guys at the bottom of the Sydney list, and as I'm finding out very quickly there can be some unintended consequences when you're making decisions about what's a pretty complex labor market." While Sydney is unlikely to be affected by the ban this year, despite not being able to replace the departing Nick Malceski with another high-quality player, the club could have its "hands tied at the end of next season" should one of its star players ask to be traded out. The club "will continue to talk to the AFL about whether the decision can be reversed," and Marsh said that "the players would do likewise" (SMH, 10/12).
