News AFL introducing mid-season rookie draft in 2019

[Tom14]

Thought this was probably worth its own thread for discussion - the Age is reporting that there will be a mid-season rookie draft in 2019, and clubs will be able to sign players during pre-season to replace players who retire or are put on a long-term injury list during that period: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...son-rookie-draft-in-2019-20181004-p507sq.html

A mid-season rookie draft will be introduced to the AFL in 2019 for players overlooked in drafts or previously on a club list who choose to renominate for the rookie draft.

A memo sent to clubs has informed them of the change, with the AFL also set to allow clubs to add a player to their list during the pre-season if they lose a player to a long-term injury or retirement.

Under that clause clubs will be able to add a player to the rookie list between December 1 and March 15 by placing a player on one of three inactive lists: a long-term injury list, a season-ending list or a retired player list.

The mid-season draft is set down for round 10 but subject to change depending on the fixture.

 

[MSB ROYS]

Can't stop changing the rules...

 

[jackess]

Northern teams concerns completely ignored again

 

[BRAB]

Seems like a really good change on the surface.

Will change list management strategies a tad for rucks I reckon. Might be easier to justify having one less than you usually would on this list if you can grab one from the state league's halfway through

 

[pOleK]

Logical way that it should have been done. Better than implementing a full pelt trade period. Also rewards blokes that missed out on their opportunity but have continued to work hard


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[Tom14]

Northern teams concerns completely ignored again

I think a rookie draft is ok, but I agree with you as it is probably a prelude to a mid season trade period which would be a disaster.

 

[brizrider]

Are they going to have short-term contracts and how does this work with the CBA? It's just to replace players who are lost t retirement or ACL type injuries between December and March (the story used Docherty and Tippet as examples), in recent Lions history we could have really used a couple of top ups in 2015 around about the mid season point when there was about a quarter of the list out with injury.

 

[SizeMatters]

Love it. Also think bottom four (or bottom two) teams can grab a State league player mid year to bolster their list. We need ways to make the s**t teams more competitive, quicker.

 

[trikster]

I'm sure the state league teams are pissed as about it though. Imagine you're undefeated half way through the season, suddenly your top few players are drafted to the AFL ruining your year.

 

[Tom14]

I'm sure the state league teams are pissed as about it though. Imagine you're undefeated half way through the season, suddenly your top few players are drafted to the AFL ruining your year.

Particularly if you play against that team's reserves.

 

[MSB ROYS]

If a mid-year draft eventually goes into place, what is stopping players being traded to a top club for the last part of the year and then traded back to the original club in the next trade period?

 

[dlanod]

If a mid-year draft eventually goes into place, what is stopping players being traded to a top club for the last part of the year and then traded back to the original club in the next trade period?

Do you mean mid-year trade period? Because a mid-year draft won't involve players being traded.

 

[MSB ROYS]

Do you mean mid-year trade period? Because a mid-year draft won't involve players being traded.

Yes, I meant trade.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Why is the rookie list still a thing?

 

[dlanod]

Why is the rookie list still a thing?

Agreed. They keep talking about removing it but it keeps sticking around.

 

[carnthemlions]

Why is the rookie list still a thing?

I thought it must be money related, but the difference between the rookie minimum wage and the senior list base wage (not counting draftees) is only 30k so that can't be it.