The "remote possibility" of a players' strike has led at least two Australian Football League club boards to formalize a "risk management strategy around the dreaded prospect," according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. There is "increasing concern and a level of hostility among the 18 clubs as they gear up for the forthcoming demands of the AFL Players Association once collective bargaining agreement negotiations start." Several clubs contacted have "noted unreasonable expectations voiced by their players' union delegates and a lack of understanding regarding the poor financial positions of almost half the clubs." The prevailing view is that the AFL "must resist speculation of a double-digit-percentage pay rise" in '17 and beyond, while the AFLPA "remains adamant it will not back down in negotiating a percentage share of the game's revenue." The AFLPA has become "increasingly frustrated" at the delayed start to the negotiations. The CBA talks are not set to begin until the eve of the season, with the players' union "still waiting for the AFL to deliver the competition's financial modelling forecasts." Although one club reported a league exec had "asked whether clubs would be prepared to tolerate a player's strike," AFL CFO Ray Gunston "denied the meetings to date during the AFL's 18-club road trip had raised the prospect." Gunston: "Clearly it's something we've seen overseas. It's not something we are seriously contemplating here" (THE AGE, 2/25).
