It can cause disharmany expecially within GWS.
I agree this is the main downside, and I'm sure it's hurt the clubs involved. Not sure it'll really hurt the AFL though, however it's the main reason they probably won't try it again.
Imagine being a talented younf player and your busting your guts and a player on 5x more has no idea. Like you said they won't do it again.
Yeah agreed.
If Folau doesn't make the grade, who's going to go and watch?
I think they've already reaped the benfit - increased media exposure of the new clubs. It doesn't really matter much how Folau plays or who goes to watch because these two signings were all about putting the new clubs on the map, which they definitely have done.
The players themselves are unlikely to be drawcards in the future, especially after half a season of mediocrity (or worse). That's why it's likely they'll be released before their contracts are up. That said, they'd probably have to forfeit the money for the years they don't play which would involve paying their agents their commission out of their own pockets.
For Folau and Hunt it'll come down to the choice between taking less money to go back to league (or union) or staying in the AFL on big bucks and sucking balls for a few years.
