COMPENSATION

* Clubs can ask for an indication of their draft compensation before they decide to match a rival club’s offer. But the AFL has said clubs will not get a definitive answer on the draft pick they would receive until the offer from a rival club was official.

* The formula for compensation is based on the size and length of the contract and the age of the player. For instance, Brendon Goddard would almost certainly deliver a first-round pick.

However, there are various permutations. Clubs that lose a player to free agency but gain a player could receive less, depending on the value of the player they recruit. For instance, if St Kilda lost Goddard, but gained another player of less quality, the compensation would be based on the difference between the players, meaning the Saints may only receive a third-round pick plus their new player. If the player gained is judged to be at the same level to the one lost, the relevant club would receive nothing.

* The AFL will use five bands of draft selections to determine compensation. These are first round, end of first round, second round, end of second round and third round.

* Unlike expansion laws, clubs cannot ‘‘bank’’ their free-agency compensation picks. This means they will have to used or traded in the same year and cannot be stored and used when a club expects itself to finish lower on the ladder.

* Restricted free agents will fill in a ‘‘form 41’’ detailing a rival club’s official offer in terms of base payments, senior match payments and additional service agreement (ASA) payments. Unrestricted free agents will fill in a ‘‘form 42’’.

* The current player’s club will have three days to match a rival offer.

* Contracts must be lodged within seven days of the club receiving notice from the AFL.

* There will be no compensation for delisted players

Crows don't need to trade to get Betts (free agent).

Shame trade bullshit we heard with Garlett that has many eating humble pie.

You can't find another Eddie Betts and the three small forwards when on make us unbeatable. It was never going to click in the first year with Mick, we just need to be bloody patient!

I dont understand this trade Eddie Betts sentiment from most of you. Getting a pick in the 20's. Ridiculous, for someone who has been as consisent as Eddie. He is a matchwinner, and you want to trade him for a pick in the 20's who could turn out to be a dud.

Hope he stays....... There is room for Eddie, Yarran and Garlett in the side for sure......

Under FA rules, if we get another free agent - say Thomas - it would cancel out any compensation for Betts.

Compensation is decided on a net gain, not per individual player.

Last year Port lost Pearce and Chaplin, but gained Monfries. They agreed to trading a pick to EFC* for Monfries to not compromise their return for losing the other two.

Eddie's kicked about 15% of our goals over the last couple of years. I wouldn't give that up for a compensation pick unless his demands are unreasonable. Cap space shouldn't be a problem with Judd's new deal and blokes like Joseph, Davies and probably Scotland being replaced with kids. Can always trade Warnock too if we need money.

i know but i choose to ignore that

i want otten