The "incoming boss" of the Australian Football League Players Association "believes free agency will drive the football industry to work towards a fairer competition," according to Chloe Saltau of THE AGE. Paul Marsh, who will "take the reins of the AFLPA in September, also reiterated his support for a pay model that ties player salaries to growth in the game," which AFL players were "unable to secure in their last round of negotiations with the league." Marsh: "I'm certainly a huge advocate for players receiving a fixed share of revenue because it entrenches players as genuine partners in the sport with motivation to grow it for the benefit of everyone. Furthermore it works" (THE AGE, 8/5). In Melbourne, Wilson & Pierik reported low-grade reportable incidents "such as Steve Johnson's kneeing of Scott Thompson would result in a fine and not a suspension" under a proposed new AFL judicial system to be "put forward" to the 18 club CEOs. AFL Football Operations Manager Mark Evans will on Wednesday "outline his plan to inject some common sense into the game's complex match review model." The Evans model "comes with the strong support of the players" (THE AGE, 8/5).
