Academy Rorts - The 2025 Draft Thread

[Viceregal]

There's only one conclusion that can be drawn from this rumour: the Northern Academies Must Go.

Ah I see the light ... the key to translating posts from the southerners ... whenever they mention academies just insert either Russia or China and the general deflection and refusal to look inward at their own issues and agency will make sense!

 

[briztoon]

 

[Perrip]

So, if McFadyen enters into the draft this year do we have bidding rights on him or is he free game for everyone?

 

[Tom14]

So, if McFadyen enters into the draft this year do we have bidding rights on him or is he free game for everyone?

Pretty sure we'd have bid matching rights.

 

[Dalions]

So, if McFadyen enters into the draft this year do we have bidding rights on him or is he free game for everyone?

I think the club need to nominate him to be able to match a bid??

 

[dlanod]

I think the club need to nominate him to be able to match a bid??

Yes.

There is some time before that deadline though.

 

[Section 5]

Most of poster's questions should be covered in this glossy AFL draft brochure.

https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2025-10/2025%20Telstra%20AFL%20Draft%20Booklet.pdf

..............................................................................

Father-Son and Academy Bidding Nominations Lodged
Thursday 31st October 2024 Father-Son Bidding Nominations and Northern and NGA Academy bidding Nominations lodged.

Northern Academy and NGA Academy eligible Pre-Selected Rookie and Father-Son Pre-Selected Rookie player nominations submitted to the AFL
Friday 21st November 2025

Academy Players Rule
Eligible clubs must lodge with the AFL a list of draft-eligible Academy Players it wishes to consider for inclusion on its Primary List or Rookie List. At the AFL National Draft meeting, in conjunction with Father-Son bidding nominations, each club may “bid” for the player. If matched by the Academy Club, the Academy Club will forfeit one or more subsequent selections, to the value of the points required to match the bid. If the Academy Club declines to match the bid, the club with the successful bid uses the selection to secure the player.

Bidding System
A club can nominate an eligible Father-Son draftee, for the upcoming AFL Draft. At the Telstra AFL National Draft meeting in conjunction with Academy bidding nominations, each club may “bid” for the player and if matched by the Father-Son club, the Father-Son club will forfeit one or more subsequent selections, to the value of the points required, in order to secure the player. If the club nominating the Father-Son player declines to match the bid, the club with the successful bid uses that selection to secure the player.

I did not know about this one below and if it has ever been used by a selected player

Exceptional and Compelling Circumstances
A player selected by a club can apply to the Appeal Board to be released from the club that has selected him on the grounds of exceptional and compelling circumstances which make it harsh and unconscionable for the player to remain bound to that club.

 

[Lace Out]

Be crazy not to grab the Fadge

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Be crazy not to grab the Fadge

Think it's unlikely. With Morris and Gallop on the list I'm not sure an under-sized KPF is a priority. We have to be thinking about depth and succession planning.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Think it's unlikely. With Morris and Gallop on the list I'm not sure an under-sized KPF is a priority.

What is a priority?

 

[mpal6]

What is a priority?

Andrews backfill. Next wave of KPP.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Andrews backfill. Next wave of KPP.

And if there isnt a 2m tall key back prospect whos happy to play VFL for at least the next 5 years available at our second pick?

Draft for talent, trade for needs

 

[Elixuh]

What is a priority?

Tall people.

 

[mpal6]

And if there isnt a 2m tall key back prospect whos happy to play VFL for at least the next 5 years available at our second pick?

Draft for talent, trade for needs

Considering we came close to scrapping the barrel this year with Payne injury and thankfully Gardiner filling in - I believe whoever gets drafted might get the opportunity earlier than 5 years. ZZ and Lloyd are the backstops currently so there is an opportunity to address it.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Considering we came close to scrapping the barrel this year with Payne injury and thankfully Gardiner filling in - I believe whoever gets drafted might get the opportunity earlier than 5 years. ZZ and Lloyd are the backstops currently so there is an opportunity to address it.

You could say the same about most positions

The fact we played Gallop shows our key forward depth, Marshall on the wing, etc.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

What is a priority?

Off the top of my head: ruck and/or ruck-forward, small lock-down defender, zippy small forward, key defender.

 

[RoyBoy17]

Given we lost Starc as well having Answerth and Payne coming back from serious injuries I would say defenders in general would be a priority.

A young KPD can play straight away with mature defenders around him like we have. Particularly a second or third tall type. Morris and Gallop have had instant impact in arguably a tougher role.

McFadyen will be there late draft/ rookie draft. I know he’s played mainly back but Luke Lloyd plays in a similar style to McFayden but without the marking ability.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

And if there isnt a 2m tall key back prospect whos happy to play VFL for at least the next 5 years available at our second pick?

Draft for talent, trade for needs

Whatever position they play, they'll need to accept biding their time in the VFL for years. Otherwise they'll just be another Keays, giving their prime years to another club because they're starved of opportunities here.

 

[mpal6]

You could say the same about most positions

The fact we played Gallop shows our key forward depth, Marshall on the wing, etc.

We drafted 3 talls in 2023 draft - Morris, Lloyd, ZZ. Morris and Lloyd were from key forward background and ZZ is a bit of a hybrid. Last draft we got Marshall and again a tall forward in Gallop. We have done a good job getting next wave through for tall forwards but we haven't done the same for defense yet.

May be we can start this year after getting Annable. We are trialing ZZ and Lloyd in defense now in VFL so even if one of them get going, we'll be in a good place. Not to mention if Hipwood to defense is worth the experiment whenever he returns.

 

[briztoon]

Could we turn Taj Murray in to a key defender?

Taj Murray Draft Profile

Northern Territory native Taj Murray is an agile ruck-forward with spring-heeled leaping ability and plenty of upside.

central.rookieme.com

I'm also a big fan of Gold Coast academy kid Jai Murray. There's a possibility that GC will be wiped out of the draft and be in deficit by the time he's bid on.

 

[Crusha]

Could we turn Taj Murray in to a key defender?

Taj Murray Draft Profile

Northern Territory native Taj Murray is an agile ruck-forward with spring-heeled leaping ability and plenty of upside.

central.rookieme.com

I'm also a big fan of Gold Coast academy kid Jai Murray. There's a possibility that GC will be wiped out of the draft and be in deficit by the time he's bid on.

Would be an interesting selection if available to us ....... has development prospects that could fit all of the "tall" categories being discussed - Tall Forward/Ruck/Tall Defender ........ I like the sound of it.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

We sign veterans who are undervalued due to injuries, so why not draft players who are undervalued due to injuries too? Worked with Answerth.

Out of sight, out of mind: NINE injured prospects on AFL Draft radar

Names with limited exposure who could be called out at the AFL Draft in November.

www.zerohanger.com

Our own academy's Harrison Bridge is on this list, might be worth using a rookie spot on.

Of the others, Tom Matthews sounds interesting, a young pressure forward is something we lack. Felix Kniepp could be a steal, played in the U17 national futures match and was one of the better players, before losing most of this year to injury. And in the same game Liam Hetherton kicked three goals. He could be worth a punt, although we look pretty set for tall forwards at the moment.

 

[Comeback Lions]

Could we turn Taj Murray in to a key defender?

Taj Murray Draft Profile

Northern Territory native Taj Murray is an agile ruck-forward with spring-heeled leaping ability and plenty of upside.

central.rookieme.com

I'm also a big fan of Gold Coast academy kid Jai Murray. There's a possibility that GC will be wiped out of the draft and be in deficit by the time he's bid on.

We have a tradition of champions called Murray. I like the sound of Taj, but let’s get both of them.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

And if there isnt a 2m tall key back prospect whos happy to play VFL for at least the next 5 years available at our second pick?

Then we make Shadeau Brain eat the gum gum fruit.

 

[Viceregal]

Then we make Shadeau Brain eat the gum gum fruit.

If there was a confused reaction I would have used it...