PTpie
Team Captain
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-27/new-player-bidding-system-close
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-28/bidding-changes-kneejerk
I've linked the two articles above to highlight the proposed changes to the current system and also Greg Swann's (CEO Brisbane Lions) response to the proposed changes.
I agree with Greg Swann. Living in Brisbane I know how small the AFL pool is up here. Sure it is growing, but Rugby League and Union have a traditionally stronger pull and I know some juniors that have defected from AFL to Rugby because the competition is greater in Union and League even more so.
I think the interstate clubs should not receive any salary cap concessions, player retention concessions, CoLA or anything financial. However, if they fund an academy they should be able to draft directly from their academy pool as it is now regardless of the perceived talent available. This will keep the grass roots alive in competitive "foreign" markets like QLD and NSW as juniors can aspire through elite programs to graduate into their local team (GWS, Sydney, Brisbane or GCS).
If the academy is AFL funded then it should be open slather for all clubs. Clubs in VIC, SA and WA have such huge sway when recruiting because of the availability of young local players and rarely run into the "I want to go home" issue that floored Brisbane in 2013.
Sure it may produce the occasional draft "steal" like Isaac Heeney but that is no different from Joe Daniher, Gary Ablett Jr or even Darcy Moore via the father son rule, which I wouldn't change either.
Personally I feel a little embarrassed that Eddie, as the president of the biggest sporting club in Australia, is saying that it is unfair that other clubs invest money in a local academy to produce home grown talent. If Collingwood, Hawthorn, Carlton or Richmond can't attract local junior players to the club then there is something wrong at the club.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-28/bidding-changes-kneejerk
I've linked the two articles above to highlight the proposed changes to the current system and also Greg Swann's (CEO Brisbane Lions) response to the proposed changes.
I agree with Greg Swann. Living in Brisbane I know how small the AFL pool is up here. Sure it is growing, but Rugby League and Union have a traditionally stronger pull and I know some juniors that have defected from AFL to Rugby because the competition is greater in Union and League even more so.
I think the interstate clubs should not receive any salary cap concessions, player retention concessions, CoLA or anything financial. However, if they fund an academy they should be able to draft directly from their academy pool as it is now regardless of the perceived talent available. This will keep the grass roots alive in competitive "foreign" markets like QLD and NSW as juniors can aspire through elite programs to graduate into their local team (GWS, Sydney, Brisbane or GCS).
If the academy is AFL funded then it should be open slather for all clubs. Clubs in VIC, SA and WA have such huge sway when recruiting because of the availability of young local players and rarely run into the "I want to go home" issue that floored Brisbane in 2013.
Sure it may produce the occasional draft "steal" like Isaac Heeney but that is no different from Joe Daniher, Gary Ablett Jr or even Darcy Moore via the father son rule, which I wouldn't change either.
Personally I feel a little embarrassed that Eddie, as the president of the biggest sporting club in Australia, is saying that it is unfair that other clubs invest money in a local academy to produce home grown talent. If Collingwood, Hawthorn, Carlton or Richmond can't attract local junior players to the club then there is something wrong at the club.