This has come up in one or two threads, but as far as I've seen there isn't one of its own and it could derail threads on other topics so I think it deserves a fresh one. (mods: if I've missed a similar thread please lock this and link to that thread.)
If there are player bans handed out, what are some of the contingencies the AFL could have in place to allow EFC to field a team? There is no doubt the AFL need nine games a round and Essendon will field a team each round.
Will they need to be different depending on the timing of bans being handed our (before and after trade priods, drafts; if they happen mid-season, etc); and the length of bans (1 year may require a different approach to shorter, Cronulla style slaps on the wrist)?
We don't know who the 34 players are, but if all get suspensions there would probably be around half still on the Essendon list by 2015. Most players who stay on a list after that sort of time are probably top 22. A conservative estimate would then be at least half of the first choice team on the sidelines. A little over half a first team is therefore probably the worst case scenario for EFC and the AFL as it requires all SCNs to be upheld.
(I coule be wrong here, but as I understand it) Players are not to be paid while suspended, but the contacts are still there - so does it count under the salary cap? Would special provision need to be made for contracts which are unpayable in the cricumstances?
The usual two year minimum contract for drafted players might need to be looked at as well, assuming any bans are not that long. Otherwise players could be returning while the replacements are also still under contract.
Whatever the AFL decide, they should make all the contingecies known so that they are in place for any future incidents of this type at any club. (Hopefully there are none, but to presume there won't be, and potntially haven't been, would be incredibly naive.)
There are numerous possibilities that contingecny should be made for; ranging from a couple opf players for a few weeks to long, mass suspensions.
Obviously nothing needs to be put in place for if there are no suspensions at the end of the process.
So, people, what can be done to ensure a club fields a team in cases like this? At what stage does it become an issue?
If one player is banned, probably nothing needs to be done; but at what stage does a line get drawn? Six bans, the list getting down to only 22 players?
If there are player bans handed out, what are some of the contingencies the AFL could have in place to allow EFC to field a team? There is no doubt the AFL need nine games a round and Essendon will field a team each round.
Will they need to be different depending on the timing of bans being handed our (before and after trade priods, drafts; if they happen mid-season, etc); and the length of bans (1 year may require a different approach to shorter, Cronulla style slaps on the wrist)?
We don't know who the 34 players are, but if all get suspensions there would probably be around half still on the Essendon list by 2015. Most players who stay on a list after that sort of time are probably top 22. A conservative estimate would then be at least half of the first choice team on the sidelines. A little over half a first team is therefore probably the worst case scenario for EFC and the AFL as it requires all SCNs to be upheld.
(I coule be wrong here, but as I understand it) Players are not to be paid while suspended, but the contacts are still there - so does it count under the salary cap? Would special provision need to be made for contracts which are unpayable in the cricumstances?
The usual two year minimum contract for drafted players might need to be looked at as well, assuming any bans are not that long. Otherwise players could be returning while the replacements are also still under contract.
Whatever the AFL decide, they should make all the contingecies known so that they are in place for any future incidents of this type at any club. (Hopefully there are none, but to presume there won't be, and potntially haven't been, would be incredibly naive.)
There are numerous possibilities that contingecny should be made for; ranging from a couple opf players for a few weeks to long, mass suspensions.
Obviously nothing needs to be put in place for if there are no suspensions at the end of the process.
So, people, what can be done to ensure a club fields a team in cases like this? At what stage does it become an issue?
If one player is banned, probably nothing needs to be done; but at what stage does a line get drawn? Six bans, the list getting down to only 22 players?