Raise the drafting age?

[Benchwarmer]

Having witnessed footy at VFL/AFL level since 1979 and been a keen follower of WAFL, SANFL and VFA footy over the same time frame, I think it's time that maybe the AFL could revisit the recruiting strategies of the 60s, 70s and 80s and apply them in a similar form now.

The players recruited before the advent of the player draft in the late 1980s ago were in their early to mid 20s with a couple of seasons of quality football behind them either in the WAFL, SANFL or VFA. The players had a known reputation and this was to their benefit or detriment when VFL scouts came to view players and as a result, there were more "hits" than "misses" when it came to the quality of players recruited.

There have been recent occasions where this has occurred with younger recruits (Cooney and Gibbs without having to stir the grey matter too hard) and I'm suggesting that maybe the draft age should be risen by a year or two in order for the players to mature mentally as well as physically.

The quality of recruits is worse than in past generations because the recruiters are drafting athletes and teaching them footy (a huge bugbear with me) instead of getting footballers and teaching them to run. How many decent SANFL or VFL footballers from the 70s or 80s would not get a game now because of a lack of altheticism - Greg Williams was punted by Carlton twice in the early 80s before he was picked up by Geelong only because they saw his skills over his lack of speed.

The standard of play IMHO is worse because players can't mark properly and can't kick properly (but they can run). I reckon it was better in past decades when, despite the play being slower, there was a higher quality of play as players could kick, mark and handball properly (and they weren't even full-time professional sportsmen!).

Maybe players shouldn't be recruited directly via the TAC Cup in Victoria - some of the better recruits seem to have come out of "mens" footy and benefitted from playing against older and more experienced players. To be an out and out shining star in the TAC Cup doesn't prepare you for a long and illustrious career in the AFL. A number of Morrish Medalists have NOT EVEN BEEN DRAFTED!

I believe that the TAC Cup should filter directly into the VFL system and the better players would need to play at this level and show their wares amongst more experienced players before being allowed to be drafted.

There could be an opportunity for a player under 20 or 21 to be drafted but unless they were a VERY SPECIAL case, like Cooney or Gibbs who proved that they could hack it at SANFL level, then they would have to earn a reputation before being drafted.

My recommendation would be that players must have played at least one season in a second tier competition - the WAFL, the SANFL or a rejigged VFL that consisted of clubs and not alignments.

Also, it was rare to hear of player misconduct - maybe it was better hidden or else they were better behaved. One must take into account that the media landscape has changed in a revolutionary manner since the AFL became the out and out top tier of football.

[alamodog]

I really enjoy watching AFL teams play...for me it does'nt matter who. But you have touched on a pet hate with me ...the national draft. I agree with your comments and suggestions....but in the longer term the AFL needs restructuring and should be planning for it to be abolished. For the record I think 40 senior SANFL games (or eqivalent) would be a suitable qualification.

The national draft would have to be considered a disaster, and the Adelaide teams surely, should now be reluctant to draft anyone from interstate. Given the culture developing in the West Aust teams, can you imagine what parents would now be happy for their 18 year 'boy' to be drafted there.

I am concerned for the future of the game as long as we have a national draft and with the emergence of alternative sports and football codes, I believe its demise will become evident.

Some years ago my son (11 or 12 years old) was trying out for SAPSASA teams in the southern districts. For 2 teams, there was in the order or 70 boys trying out and the talent on display was awesome. Training sessions were after school and most had to be driven there by a parent. As I looked around at the parents watching, I was struck by the number of mothers there were. I seemed to be the only father!!!!, and it occurred to me the strong influence that mothers must have on what sport their sons play, and how upsetting it must be for them to be darfted to a far away city. In subtle ways parents may direct their child away from the game.

It is only a matter of time before the national draft is tested by a legal challenge (that could be soon)...........and that would be the end of it.

[Benchwarmer]

I agree that it is a matter of time before the draft is challenged.

Terry Hill challenged the NSWRL after the first (and only) draft IIRC and for some reason similar actions haven't caught on with the AFL (only threats that players won't go there) - mystic forces maybe?

[alamodog]

The grounds for a challenge is growing with the drug culture at the WC Eagles. Can you image the turmoil that would result if a challenge was successful. The competition as we know would be unworkable.

[NFC]

Some good points but to be honest I don't see anything wrong with the current drafting system.

[am Bays]

I agree that it is a matter of time before the draft is challenged.

Terry Hill challenged the NSWRL after the first (and only) draft IIRC and for some reason similar actions haven't caught on with the AFL (only threats that players won't go there) - mystic forces maybe?

After Terry Hill the AFL changed the draft that you have to nominate for the draft where as before that it was open slather a club clould draft you even if you didn't want to play AFL at that point in time. The change meant in a quasi way playesr were saying I want to play AFL so I accept the draft requirements and rules where as before players weren't given the choice to accept the draft rules and requirements.

[Benchwarmer]

But even "Blind Freddie" would admit that there is still a restraint of trade in that people cannot go to the club of their choice (unless they are lucky to be drafted by that particular club before another club picks them up).

[Psyber]

Some good points but to be honest I don't see anything wrong with the current drafting system.

A lot of parents would be worried about their youngster going to the WC Illeagles and following the style of the role models he met there! It is not like the days when Norwood recruited a boy and promised the parents he would be given a good education at King's College.

And yes, because of the publicity these guys are role models whether they want to be or not and they must be made to behave accordingly. That is a responsibility of the club - perhaps the clubs should be fined not the players for bringing the AFL into disrepute, then they would provide supervision and impose discipline. Similarly the yobs on Big Brother become role models and the TV stations should perhaps be disciplined too?!

Remember, let your daughter watch tarts being tarty on TV and don't be suprised when she follows suit. What you see most of the time is what you tend to come to believe is normal.

[Hondo]

After Terry Hill the AFL changed the draft that you have to nominate for the draft where as before that it was open slather a club clould draft you even if you didn't want to play AFL at that point in time. The change meant in a quasi way playesr were saying I want to play AFL so I accept the draft requirements and rules where as before players weren't given the choice to accept the draft rules and requirements.

A very clever way of making a 17 year old 'voluntarially' give up all his rights to choose his employer and have his career dicated by the luck of the draw ..... I'm no lawyer but I reckon it could be challenged because what choice does that 17 year-old have if he wants to play AFL = NONE.

In the NFL in the US, the players got their own back on the restraint of trade issue by forcing team owners to accept a free-agency system after a set number of years playing. Their players' association is so strong, two seasons in the 1980s were disrupted because of strikes

Mercenary style free-agency has lessened a players' attachment to a team and other down-sides but is a whole other topic of its own.

If the number of teams in each state were more balanced to the relative populations you could have drafts within each state which would promote AFL Clubs developing their states' junior comps, etc. But that's as likely as Aaron Keating getting in to the AFL Hall of fame.

[mypaddock]

definitely agree on the point that clubs now draft athletes rather than footballers, which is a massive shame. imagine a future player as skillful as darren jarman not getting drafted just because he can't run the 100m in under 11sec- an absolute travisty! these are the types of players which I love watching most, the guys who can make something out of nothing- these are the types of players that will win you grand finals!! (e.g97/98), not these athletes like deledio who are drafted because of their aerobic capacity.i say bring back the skillful players- stuff the athletes.

[Psyber]

Perhaps a minimum of three years experience at state league level before being eligible for the draft?
Then the teams that develop them get something out of them first, and their football talent, as distinct from athletic talent, is visible.

[sydney-dog]

The Salary Cap, Draft and Trade process if challenged of course would be ruled as Restraint of Trade

However, do we want AFL footy to become like English Soccer, where only 2-3 clubs each year are a realistic chance of challenging for the title, and the rich get richer while the poor struggle for survival.

Why hasn't anyone challenged the system?

The reason is because the Salary Cap, Draft and Trade process is for the benefit of the game

[Psyber]

The Salary Cap, Draft and Trade process if challenged of course would be ruled as Restraint of Trade

However, do we want AFL footy to become like English Soccer, where only 2-3 clubs each year are a realistic chance of challenging for the title, and the rich get richer while the poor struggle for survival.

Why hasn't anyone challenged the system?

The reason is because the Salary Cap, Draft and Trade process is for the benefit of the game

Well for the benefit of the AFL/Telstra/Foxtel/TV corporate conglomerate!