In one corner were the league bosses. They were chest pumping and air punching after standing their ground in the protracted pay deal negotiations with the players' association.
The on-field talent wanted a fixed percentage of league income. They said for months they wouldn't accept anything less than 25-27 per cent.
But when the new arrangement was revealed that figure wasn't reached.
Yet it is impossible for the players not to be happy with what they will be receiving in their brown paper envelopes from next year.
A good average AFL footballer can now consider that extra overseas holiday as he stands to pocket $300,000 within five years - more than four times that average Australian salary.
However, it is the facility that requires the AFL to continue to financially support players once they have thrown away their footy boots that is the most jarring for the football public - those that underwrite the industry.
As the AFL's website reported, "the league has also agreed to a $90 million retirement scheme, which will see players receive around $20,000 per year during life after football".
That must just be great news to the fans in WA who have to pay more - around $500 a year for a seat - to watch their AFL team at Patersons Stadium.
Surely, a couple of years on an average AFL earner should ensure that players have the financial resources to set themselves up for the rest of their days.
If Australia's federal politicians are under fire for their lifetime travel gold pass then there must be a query over why an industry has to continually support employees decades after they left work.
There is no doubt AFL players are among this country's elite athletes. And as a result they should share in the game's spoils.
But they must remember they are only passing through a competition that has been around for seven generations.
It is a sport for the people, not just a privileged few.
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