The AFL's free-agency compensation formula is facing fresh scrutiny after West Coast received pick two for the departure of Oscar Allen, who on Wednesday signed with Brisbane.
Allen was able to join the reigning premiers when West Coast opted against matching Brisbane's offer for the 26-year-old key forward.
The Lions did not specify the length of Allen's contract in a statement confirming his signature, but the former Eagles co-captain reportedly penned a six-year deal.
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Discussing on Fox Footy the compensation handed to the Eagles, 1988 Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy suggested it was not right for West Coast to be given a selection in next month's draft as high as pick two.
"I think the biggest question is, is he worth pick two? Has the AFL got this right, that you're handing over pick two for a guy that hasn't played great footy for a few years?" Healy said.
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"I thought he was the best up-and-coming young forward in the competition … and he, in my view, was going to become the guy that led them [the Eagles] to another flag. Hasn't worked out.
"But pick two — it's a huge compensation."
The AFL's free-agency compensation system is a mystery, hence why it's often referred to as "the herbs and spices formula", but what is known is the league produces a points rating for players based on the new contract of the free agent and their age.
West Coast received the highest band of compensation possible for the exit of Allen, which equated to pick two because that was the next pick behind the first-round selection it already owned.
Allen booted 53 goals for the Eagles in 2023 but only 21 majors over his past two seasons, which were hampered by Achilles, calf and knee injuries.
As the draft order stands currently, West Coast holds picks one, two, 13, 34, 38, 53 and 58.
Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson floated the prospect of West Coast giving up pick one to potentially secure an even stronger draft hand.
"Do you think from West Coast's point of view, though, now with pick one and two, they actually look at pick one and go, 'Do we offload that to another club, maybe a Bombers, for four and five, for example, and then go into the draft with two, four, five and 12?' and really build their list, similar to what Richmond did?" Johnson said on Fox Footy.
"Richmond have done a great job with the youngsters that they have picked over the last 12 months."
Eagles head of football John Worsfold said the club continued to negotiate with Allen and his management throughout the season but was "unable to reach a suitable agreement".
"We understand the landscape of free agency and the players' right to explore, and we have decided not to match Brisbane's offer presented to Oscar," Worsfold said.
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"As a result, we have received free-agency compensation at selection No.2 overall, which will allow us to add more elite young talent via the draft in line with our list management strategy.
"As we farewell Oscar, we wish him and his fiancée Lorna every success for their next chapter."
Allen said he was "ecstatic" to land at the Lions.
"My partner Lorna and I are incredibly excited to join the Brisbane Lions football club, and it will be an exciting adventure for us moving forward," Allen said.
"We've already received an amazing amount of support from the club, and we cannot wait to get to know the players and staff."
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