Damian Barrett: 'The AFL's Looked After The Cats There'

Triple M’s Damian Barrett says the AFL has "looked after" the Cats with their free agency compensation for Steven Motlop, saying it helps them facilitate the Gary Ablett deal.

Geelong received pick 19 for losing Motlop to Port Adelaide, which Barrett says was more that what was privately expected.

He told Roo and Ditts on Tuesday morning the pick was a "bonus" from the AFL, which will help them land Ablett.

"Yeah, absolutely (he’ll end up there)," he said.

"The return of pick 19 or the granting of pick 19 for Geelong losing Motlop, that was the AFL saying ‘here’s a real bonus for you’, because they personally and privately thought they would only get pick 35 for Motlop.

"The AFL’s looked after the Cats there…don’t for a minute think there’s a (compensation) formula, Roo. Because it allows them to go and do what they’re going to do to get Ablett in."

Mark Ricciuto wasn’t too happy to hear that.

"That is a disgrace if what you’re saying is correct," he said.

"If what you’re saying is the case, there needs to be an enquiry into that."

Barrett agreed with Roo, personally believing free agency compensation needs to go.

"There needs to be an enquiry full stop into this rubbish formula. There is no formula. It is whatever the person in charge at the AFL wants to do at the time," he said.

"There is no way, on past experiences, that Motlop was worthy of what the Cats have got for him."