The Australian Football League is set to offer players bumper '17 pay raises "in an effort to end long-running wage talks." Reports suggest an "immediate raise of 20% or 25%, to be followed by incremental increases in years two to six, is part of a six-year deal set to be tabled" by league execs. The deal is reportedly "yet to win the backing" of the AFL Players' Association, which is "seeking a share of the game’s broader revenues to include players." It is understood the deal is "yet to arrive at the AFLPA, which is negotiating the deal on behalf of players" (AAP, 4/12).
The National Rugby League competition committee announced an immediate ban on slapping while at the same time "delivering a backhander" to those who have campaigned to have an 18th man introduced for "extra cover against concussions." The competition committee recommended that the 18th man, "which many had called for, should not be introduced." The committee "did endorse the current protocols and left the decision on whether independent doctors should become part of the game to the NRL medical advisory panel" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/13).
