O Captain, My Captain

“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done”
First line of Walt Whitman’s classic poem following the death of Abraham Lincoln 

AFL trade period officially kicked off earlier this week and, as is tradition each year, the chess pieces are frantically moved around as football directors and list managers act in overdrive, pundits fantasise about audacious multi-club deals, while fans wait impatiently to see how their clubs change as the media spruik every slither of news capable of causing a stir (i.e. just about everything).  

This year’s off-season is unique in two ways: a compromised draft, in which a substantial portion of the upcoming draft class will be comprised of father-son and next generation academy picks. Secondly, and more controversially, there is the potential for at least 3 club captains to be traded away. I’ll leave the talk about compensation picks for now.  

This isn’t the first time that we see a captain seek a move away. Peter Moore, Chris Judd and Ryan Griffin’s moves are the higher profile moves in recent years, though Ron Barassi’s trade from Melbourne to Carlton will remain etched in AFL lore for years to come.  

This year’s potential moves are all unique in their own style:  

Jack Steele (St Kilda) has been encouraged by the club to seek a move elsewhere. The 200-gamer was advised he wouldn’t be captain in 2026, and officially ‘resigned’ his tenancy, with ruckman Rowan Marshall now occupying the captaincy. It would be a difficult pill to swallow – to be such an important cog, both on and off-field for many years, only to be told you are surplus to requirements. 

For that matter, he isn’t the only one this year. In South Australia, Sturt captain James Battersby sensationally quit the club only 2 days before their grand final after being advised he would not be selected and decided against playing in the reserves grand final as well. 

Oscar Allen (West Coast) secured a move on Wednesday to current premiers, Brisbane. Allen has scored over 150 goals for the struggling Eagles, though only played 15 games this year following knee surgery in June. He’s wanted this move for ages, and reports suggest that talks started last season.

Of course, it is the potential of a move for Essendon captain, Zach Merrett, that will be the most watched news piece this off-season. It is no secret that Merrett has been disappointed with the state of play at the Bombers. In recent memory, he has called out a lack of training standards and explored a move away from the club only 12 month ago. Surely, though, he has reached the end of his tether. Patience can only run so far for a player so talented, so central to his team, who plays for a club that dwindles and dawdles year after year with not much progress to show. 

Any attempt at a sales pitch the Bomber’s administration may put forward to Merrett may fall on deaf ears. How many times have they had this conversation in the past? Making things worse, a number of their star players have been traded, or have also requested trades away. More pain awaits, and more pain is the last thing Merrett wants. Now in his 30s, the clock is ticking on his career and the chance of a premiership. For a team that hasn’t won a final in 20 years, any vision for a premiership is dwindling. Merrett simply doesn’t have the time.  

The Merrett discussion has been a whirlwind in the past month and a half. The club remain resolute in holding him to his contract. Merrett wants his chance at success. Rumours and gossip spread far and wide. Whatever happens, it will be an incredibly painful and messy divorce. It already is messy enough.  

Failing Upwards 

But for each captain mentioned in this article, their fearful trips might just be over (asterisk on Merrett).  Analysing the positions of each player’s situation they are common. The captains mentioned in this article all finished in the bottom 8, 2 of which are bottom-4 teams. Where they want to go is also common: upward, not that there is much more to fall.  

Allen got his move to Brisbane, Steele wants Geelong, while Hawthorn have been touted as a front-runner should a Merrett trade eventuate.  

All in all, this is an absolute kick in the backside for the AFL in their quest for ‘equalisation’. The strong become stronger as the weak will continue to linger and struggle through an even longer rebuild. Much commentary exists on the impact of the free agency, with some commentators lamenting that rebuilds through draft are no longer possible. For these captains, the pain of being down the bottom should realistically be over. Relief.  

Contracts are made to be broken 

The public outcry against want-away captains is something of an over-reaction in this day and age. No player is bigger than the one club. Players sign contracts and are expected to see out the contract. In reality, it’s not really how things work: both Club and player will have vested interests in overriding a contract before it expires anyway. Should a player be happy and wish to stay at the club, the initial contract will be torn up, with a more lucrative deal in place to keep hold of their player. Clubs often act early to avoid over-the-top contract speculation.  

The current landscape of the AFL is reflective of workplace relations generally. Though an employee may be on a fixed term contract, clauses exist that allow both employer and employee to break said contract. Though permanent employment exists, it is an abstract concept – there are still ways out.  

More importantly, however, is the shift in culture. Gone are the days of generations past, where an employee would stay at the same company for their life. How many of us, already have had career changes? Workplace life has become so transactional these days. Everyone is replaceable – when a colleague leaves an organisation, business-as-usual continues without much disruption. How common is it to hear of people who give so much to their job, and when they leave, or are asked to leave, receive an offensively insignificant token of gratitude and handshake (if they are lucky).  It’s like they were never there.

At this point, I’ll introduce case study #4, Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos. Fear not, he hasn’t yet asked for a way out (according to his co-captain), though is exploring his options. This is the new norm, and the behaviour that should be expected, particularly with the strengh of player agents. 

Concluding thoughts 

So if we are going to be annoyed at a captain asking for, or even considering a move away, I’d caution against it – it would be a waste of energy. We must accept that this is part of life now, and not just in a sporting context.

There is no permanency. There are no guarantees.