News AFL overhauls Academy and FS bid matching, discussing draft lockout

[Elixuh]

What the AFL should do is realise it has a talent problem and massively increase funding for talent pathways nationwide. The majority of the money should go to NSW and Qld as that’s where the biggest untapped pool of talent is.

Then you can get rid of the matching etc.

 

[Supersuns]

The issue for the AFL is GWS and GCS are a big problem, particularly GWS.

If you get rid of the ability for these clubs to fill their list with local talent then I do wonder about the long term viability of both.

We have seen with GCS, when their list was predominantly interstate they bled talent every offseason. Since they’ve added a large cohort from their academy they’ve stabilised nicely and have slowly climbed up the ladder.

We stopped the bleeding before the academy finally started producing talent tbf.

 

[Elixuh]

We stopped the bleeding before the academy finally started producing talent tbf.

You stopped some bleeding by overpaying players which is why you had to give Geelong Bowes and pick 7.

That’s not sustainable.

 

[Yoda_]

One of the big issues with the northern academy defenders is you guys just don’t see the importance of bottom clubs getting the top end talent.
It’s like - “oh isn’t it great we are getting all these extra players from Queensland” great for the game, etc etc.

Even if the consequence is that Brisbane play finals for 15 years in a row. Meaning that’s one less place for a bottom club like north or west coast to aspire to dislodge in the 8. You guys just don’t care about that.
It’s soon going to be comp when the top 8 is really a top 6, plus Brisbane and GC who are automatic finalists every year due to the sheer weight of numbers of elite talent they are getting for peanuts from the top of the draft.

It’s urgently needing a drastic overhaul.
Picks 1,4 and 5 heading to two finalists in this years draft for basically nothing is just farcical. How many years in a row now is that?
Couldn’t care less how well it’s growing the game.

Growing the game would be having Queenslanders dominate for an SA club for example

 

[Lore]

changing free agency compensation so band one picks start after the non-finalists have had their first picks at No.11.

Wouldn’t that incentivise top clubs to match free agency bids from bottom clubs because the trade value is greater than the compensation pick?

 

[Lore]

• an allowance to only match a first-round bid by using a first-round pick, thus making sure they can't be matched with later selections or traded out;
• closing the loophole that allows clubs on draft night to use more picks than they have available list spots to match bids;

These two points are hopefully already accounted for with the new DVI, will be interesting once it kicks off

 

[AstonSouffle]

This assumes that in the absence of the Academies this talent continues to exist. As has been noted many many times, absent the Academies, almost none of these current players choose AFL as their sport (at least that's the case with the Swans).

So, you're back with the idea that the AFL runs the Academies, a concept that failed to produce any significant numbers over the course of a decade.

Which means that at a time when you're bringing in a new club, you're farewelling a source of 6-10 players a year.

All these arguments have been gone over many many times before.

It has, but why do they not have the risk of being drafted interstate like the rest of the country?

The Academies can and should exist, but the clubs that have them also benefit from the draft and development of other states so ergo I don't think they have a strong argument they should get first dibs - if they get through the first round though, then yes you can lock them down.

 

[#BallMagnet]

The AFL was late to the party in addressing the issues with the compromised draft due to F/S, Academy and NGA ties.
Now finds itself backpedaling to try and find a fix before the Tassie draft.
How can Tassie be given the best chance of being competitive in the earlier years by not allowing them access to the best kids in the country.
The AFL has already indicated they might allow Tassie to preselect 17 year olds in 2026 and a plethora of top 10 picks in the 2027 draft and the writing is on the wall that the AFL will allow Tassie to take kids regardless of their F/S, Academy or NGA status.
This is why the AFL is flagging these round 1 lockout changes ASAP.

Would'nt want to be a struggling club in 2027/28 and looking to the draft for high end talent.
You're going to be playing second fiddle to Tasmania when it comes to draft picks for a while.

 

[Lore]

The AFL was late to the party in addressing the issues with the compromised draft due to F/S, Academy and NGA ties.
Now finds itself backpedaling to try and find a fix before the Tassie draft.
How can Tassie be given the best chance of being competitive in the earlier years by not allowing them access to the best kids in the country.
The AFL has already indicated they might allow Tassie to preselect 17 year olds in 2026 and a plethora of top 10 picks in the 2027 draft and the writing is on the wall that the AFL will allow Tassie to take kids regardless of their F/S, Academy or NGA status.
This is why the AFL is flagging these round 1 lockout changes ASAP.

Would'nt want to be a struggling club in 2027/28 and looking to the draft for high end talent.
You're going to be playing second fiddle to Tasmania when it comes to draft picks for a while.

Wouldn’t want to be a struggling club that can’t access their father sons or academy/NGA players in 2027/28 due to Tassie either

 

[LukeParkerno1]

How are teams going to beat the lions going forward. The cats may do it this season but only if the lions after not at their best but looking from beyond 25 good luck.

From the team that beat the hawks in round 24 they will have Neale, Berry, Hipwood, Payne, Answerth and Coleman in 2026. Then if they get Allen, Draper, Ridley plus Academy players I cannot see them not winning the Flag for some time to come. This after 2nd in 23, premiers in 24 and possible premiers in 25. Thay are becoming an unstoppable jiggermast why in the hell do they need academy players. Over to you AFL

Everyone says this about every flag side, can you name the last dynasty, maybe the Cats with Ablett or something, even they didn't win a bunch in a row. Next year Zorko a year older, Neale a year older, Allen is no certainty with fitness reasons.

 

[AstonSouffle]

I don't think local talent makes the club. A strong club environment, with a highly regarded coach and impending success is what drives it. GC in particular would be very appealing for young guys.

Western Sydney may be a hole, but many GWS players live inner Sydney anyway, which is a great place to be.

I really fear for the Tasmanian team. Cold and miserable during the season. Not to sort of place young men have a desire to flock to.

If you're from there and grew up there though, flocking there wouldn't be required.

You learnt to adapt, I live in the Pilbara and have to wear a jacket when it's less than 25 degrees because my body has adjusted to the heat. I'm sure the reverse happens for when it's cold, after all... Europe exists.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If you're from there and grew up there though, flocking there wouldn't be required.

You learnt to adapt, I live in the Pilbara and have to wear a jacket when it's less than 25 degrees because my body has adjusted to the heat. I'm sure the reverse happens for when it's cold, after all... Europe exists.

I can't see many wanting to live in Tassie as an 18-20 year old kid, as people mature yes lovely place but not sure it's going to attract many in the initial stage of their career, these teens/young adults want to go out etc

 

[Lore]

I can't see many wanting to live in Tassie as an 18-20 year old kid, as people mature yes lovely place but not sure it's going to attract many in the initial stage of their career, these teens/young adults want to go out etc

It’s Tasmania, not the moon. They have pubs, clubs and party drugs there too.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

It’s Tasmania, not the moon. They have pubs, clubs and party drugs there too.

They do but distances are an issue, and the weather too. Look I love it there to travel, but not sure many 18 year olds are saying 'you know what I want to live in Tassie'

 

[hammer180]

Everyone says this about every flag side, can you name the last dynasty, maybe the Cats with Ablett or something, even they didn't win a bunch in a row. Next year Zorko a year older, Neale a year older, Allen is no certainty with fitness reasons.

This is a different scenario though compared to previous dynasties. You dont get those teams getting the best young players in the draft coming in to replace the older guys. Lions 2000s, Cats, Hawks, richmond didn't win their premierships or come close to winning them and then get top 5 talent in the draft the same yr.
Lions not making prelims the next 7-10 yrs is a massive underachievement imo. Gold Coast in a couple of yrs could potentially be heading in a similar trajectory.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Not sure if been mentioned here but Ridley trying to get to Brisbane should be an interesting test case for the changes made to the points system. There should be no feasible way on current rumours that Brisbane can match an Annable bid while pulling off a trade for Ridley.

The fact Brisbane obviously thinks they can almost confirms the changes to points has not gone nearly far enough

 

[Hasselhough]

I feel the whole discount for academy and F/S is ridiculous if anything teams should have to pay a surcharge for jumping the que .

Top 5 20% surcharge
Top 6-10 15% Surcharge
Top 11-15 10% surcharge
Top 16-29 5 % surcharge
Picks 21 and beyond you pay index rate.

Clubs wont be able to afford multiple F/S academy players .

Eg in this system Brisbane would have been able to get ashcroft last season and if they wanted marshall they would have had to trade future picks or Marshall would have been in the open draft because they couldn't afford him

 

[Lore]

I feel the whole discount for academy and F/S is ridiculous if anything teams should have to pay a surcharge for jumping the que .

Top 5 20% surcharge
Top 6-10 15% Surcharge
Top 11-15 10% surcharge
Top 16-29 5 % surcharge
Picks 21 and beyond you pay index rate.

Clubs wont be able to afford multiple F/S academy players .

Eg in this system Brisbane would have been able to get ashcroft last season and if they wanted marshall they would have had to trade future picks or Marshall would have been in the open draft because they couldn't afford him

Surcharges and discounts should be directly proportional to the amount of money the club has spent developing players generally and the amount of time the specific player has spent in the academy to the exclusion of all other regular pathways.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Not sure if been mentioned here but Ridley trying to get to Brisbane should be an interesting test case for the changes made to the points system. There should be no feasible way on current rumours that Brisbane can match an Annable bid while pulling off a trade for Ridley.

The fact Brisbane obviously thinks they can almost confirms the changes to points has not gone nearly far enough

They have future picks to deal if need be plus they likely have a few players like Ainsworth going

 

[Hasselhough]

Surcharges and discounts should be directly proportional to the amount of money the club has spent developing players generally and the amount of time the specific player has spent in the academy to the exclusion of all other regular pathways.

Why ?
Surcharge should be directly related to jumping the que .

Plenty of teams spend a lot of money on development without any pay off

Look at the WA and SA teams .

Who has benefited from those 4 teams for any FS or academy players ?

They are funding the development of 2 entire states

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

They have future picks to deal if need be plus they likely have a few players like Ainsworth going

Ainsworth? Wrong club?

It doesnt matter, there is no world they should even be in the market for Ridley and pay for Annable. Annable should wipe out all firsts they have AND change.

 

[Lore]

Why ?
Surcharge should be directly related to jumping the que .

Plenty of teams spend a lot of money on development without any pay off

Look at the WA and SA teams .

Who has benefited from those 4 teams for any FS or academy players ?

They are funding the development of 2 entire states

What? I was specifically talking about academy and father son players.

I don’t think a club that spends nothing on the NGA and has rights to kids that are developed in Victorian private schools should get a discount. That’s where surcharges should come in.

If you are literally providing the only viable pathway for kids that would otherwise play soccer or rugby and spending a ton on it, then you get a discount. Not a huge one and not on multiple players, but something to acknowledge that the kids wouldn’t be in the top ten or even draftable without the effort already put in to them by the club.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Ainsworth? Wrong club?

It doesnt matter, there is no world they should even be in the market for Ridley and pay for Annable. Annable should wipe out all firsts they have AND change.

They are losing a couple in all likelihood and Annable will wipe out this year and next years firsts they will have to be creative.

 

[Lore]

What? I was specifically talking about academy and father son players.

I don’t think a club that spends nothing on the NGA and has rights to kids that are developed in Victorian private schools should get a discount. That’s where surcharges should come in.

If you are literally providing the only viable pathway for kids that would otherwise play soccer or rugby and spending a ton on it, then you get a discount. Not a huge one and not on multiple players, but something to acknowledge that the kids wouldn’t be in the top ten or even draftable without the effort already put in to them by the club.

Maybe a different sort of advantage would be better than a draft discount, like perhaps some extra money for their footy department or the academy itself.

 

[Elixuh]

Not sure if been mentioned here but Ridley trying to get to Brisbane should be an interesting test case for the changes made to the points system. There should be no feasible way on current rumours that Brisbane can match an Annable bid while pulling off a trade for Ridley.

The fact Brisbane obviously thinks they can almost confirms the changes to points has not gone nearly far enough

If it gets done it’ll be via rorting FA compo and giving the bombers band 1 compo for Draper where they otherwise were going to get band 2.