Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Paladin
Craig HillThe Emergency Player Allocation AFL Draft Idea
March 22nd 2007 13:19
The preseason draft used to be just before the season started, not surprisingly that is how it got its name. Each team would pick up two or three ready-made players to add to their list, which in those days was much bigger. Now lists are cut back, the preseason draft is pushed forward, and the teams suffer. But there is a way to give teams depth, to give veteran players another chance while also helping clubs in lower leagues.
During the time between the preseason Grand Final and round one of the regular season could be the Emergency Player Allocation AFL Draft. This could be called the EPA but it should not be. All 16 teams have 5 picks to allocate players from other leagues. So players in the VFL, SANFL, WAFL or anywhere else can be chosen. There might be a rule that the players have to be over 21 years of age.
Each club in the lower leagues that had a player allocated would receive an amount of money from the AFL, maybe $1000. This would be a small price for the AFL to pay. More compensation would be received if the player was called up to the AFL team. This not only provides needed finances for clubs, but it also gives them the incentive to recruit bigger names which could result in larger crowds attending matches.
During the season, if there is an injury, retirement, delisting, or anything else that opens a spot then the allocated player can be put on the list of the AFL team. A team is better served by playing a veteran than an untried rookie and the AFL fans will also get to see an old star again. If a team lost several veteran smalls late in the season to injury they could add someone like Troy Makepeace.
Players get injured during preseason training and during practice games. That is a fact, and even though clubs do their best it is inevitable. If a team loses a couple of ruckmen during the preseason to knee injuries then being able to bring a player like Clark Keating or Daniel Bandy into the lineup would help. A lot of teams struggle to kick goals, and if their full forward went down for the season they would be in bad shape. But if the team had a player like Podsiadly to play then it could keep a team in finals contention.
AFL teams would be stronger, players’ careers could be extended longer, local football clubs would receive needed funds, there would be benefits for most of the football leagues. Adelaide could use Clark Keating now, the Kangaroos might like the insurance of having Jason Cloke available if needed, they didn't know that when the AFL drafts occurred as they were held last year. The AFL has looked at changing their drafts and trading period, having a draft either right before the NAB Cup or even before the real season starts could allow teams to address needs and with a better list it will improve the standard of the AFL.
During the time between the preseason Grand Final and round one of the regular season could be the Emergency Player Allocation AFL Draft. This could be called the EPA but it should not be. All 16 teams have 5 picks to allocate players from other leagues. So players in the VFL, SANFL, WAFL or anywhere else can be chosen. There might be a rule that the players have to be over 21 years of age.
Each club in the lower leagues that had a player allocated would receive an amount of money from the AFL, maybe $1000. This would be a small price for the AFL to pay. More compensation would be received if the player was called up to the AFL team. This not only provides needed finances for clubs, but it also gives them the incentive to recruit bigger names which could result in larger crowds attending matches.
During the season, if there is an injury, retirement, delisting, or anything else that opens a spot then the allocated player can be put on the list of the AFL team. A team is better served by playing a veteran than an untried rookie and the AFL fans will also get to see an old star again. If a team lost several veteran smalls late in the season to injury they could add someone like Troy Makepeace.
Players get injured during preseason training and during practice games. That is a fact, and even though clubs do their best it is inevitable. If a team loses a couple of ruckmen during the preseason to knee injuries then being able to bring a player like Clark Keating or Daniel Bandy into the lineup would help. A lot of teams struggle to kick goals, and if their full forward went down for the season they would be in bad shape. But if the team had a player like Podsiadly to play then it could keep a team in finals contention.
AFL teams would be stronger, players’ careers could be extended longer, local football clubs would receive needed funds, there would be benefits for most of the football leagues. Adelaide could use Clark Keating now, the Kangaroos might like the insurance of having Jason Cloke available if needed, they didn't know that when the AFL drafts occurred as they were held last year. The AFL has looked at changing their drafts and trading period, having a draft either right before the NAB Cup or even before the real season starts could allow teams to address needs and with a better list it will improve the standard of the AFL.
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