Opinion is the race for the Flag in 26 Already Over

[Orfullrules]

The point is AFL concessions and rules are stacking gun teams who don't need help.

That's the issue.

And the only issue. Everything else is noise.

Why are the AFL helping the "fastest horses run even faster"?

That is not equalisation. That's the point.

The current rules and concessions do not assist equalisation when the back to back premiers can bend over the teams finish bottom and also get discounts on father sons and academy kids.

It's a crazy set up.

Doesn't pass the pub test.

Growing the game is paramount. Don’t worry about the actual games.

 

[Count_Zero]

1. Everyone gets access to father sons. Pies have benefitted massively, Geelong obviously, dogs have had a good run.
2. Hodge has not chosen a club yet so he is irrelevant to your argument. Nothing to do with Brisbanes current success.
3. 2025 draft picks have not played a single game yet. Academies are a positive for the game - as long as clubs have to pay fair price for their academy players. I don't even know what Brisbane paid for him but he has nothing to do with their current success.
4. West Coast wanted Oscar Allen out - they preferred the compensation pick. And again Oscar Allen has nothing to do with Brisbanes current success. He might not even get a game.

Brisbanes success is deserved. Daniel Annable is the only academy player on their list and he has not played a game yet.

Brisbane were a complete rabble when Chris Fagan arrived and now they are a juggernaut. And they have achieved this mostly through development, amazing trading (Charlie, Danniher, Dunkley, Neale, Zorko) and good management.

Sure they are on a run with father sons but ultimately the salary cap will restrict them.

What was the difference from 2023 and 2024 Grand Final? Is it that they had a father and son that they bid on with junk picks in the 30s and 40s playing in 2024 that won the Norm Smith Medal. You said fair market value, did Brisbane pay fair market value for any of their F&As + Academies?

I have no problem with access to either, just pay what should be fair.

 

[QuietB]

What was the difference from 2023 and 2024 Grand Final? Is it that they had a father and son that they bid on with junk picks in the 30s and 40s playing in 2024 that won the Norm Smith Medal. You said fair market value, did Brisbane pay fair market value for any of their F&As + Academies?

I have no problem with access to either, just pay what should be fair.

I don't disagree.

But if the Ashcrofts had of cost more Brisbane would have paid more. And that exact same advantage is available to every club. It is pot luck - not assistance.

 

[Elixuh]

In 2024, you were gifted Levi Ashcroft, if you had the player selected at pick 18 - the pick you would have had in theoretical ucompromised draft, you would have ended up Oliver Hannaford. While Levi was not the sole difference in you winning last you, he was still a key player and made a really significant contribution. Let's just say that an Oliver Hannaford would not have had the same impact if had pulled on a Lions jumper.

So was it a lot to ask of Levi Ashcroft? Is it a lot to ask of Annable? Would you really be hesitating to choose between Annable and Hannaford even though Annable has not yet had a chance to play to show us how good he really is?

My MISTAKE I thought we were talking about 2026.

With FUTURE PICKS we might have even traded down to get Levi. You simply do not know.

It’s all seblantics really.

I think the material factor that won us that flag was that our opponent in the grand final was the same opponent who trashed us in the QF and showed us all their tactics. The rest is just NOISE.

 

[timokane]

Still open field but i boil it down to these 4 teams to be honest:

Q clash
Lions
Suns
Swans
Either GWS or Freo maybe Crows in this order

only real 3 to beat in 2026 are Suns Lions and Swans in 2026.

Then it kind of starts to drop away after that.

Winner of the flag will be top 4 this year cant see anyone outside of it winning.

Maybe 2027 but not 2026.

Kind of like Freo and the ever reliant GWS in 2026.

 

[Count_Zero]

I don't disagree.

But if the Ashcrofts had of cost more Brisbane would have paid more. And that exact same advantage is available to every club. It is pot luck - not assistance.

Which means they wouldnt have gotten Dunkley and Fletcher who both are well and truly entrenched in there best 23.

 

[jim boy]

With FUTURE PICKS we might have even traded down to get Levi. You simply do not know.

that we do know - that would simply not have happened - you could have offered all your picks from that year and all the future picks from the following two years and you would not have had any interest (at least since the Freo recruiting department got overhauled). We tried that to get Curnow and carlton just laughed at us.

 

[Elixuh]

that we do know - that would simply not have happened - you could have offered all your picks from that year and all the future picks from the following two years and you would not have had any interest (at least since the Freo recruiting department got overhauled). We tried that to get Curnow and carlton just laughed at us.

You don’t know where bids will fall if they’re not tied. Look at Banfield last year, St Kilda wanted to hold WCE accountable and bid on Banfield not realising that WCE didn’t have enough points to match and then got stuck with him!

Anyway, it’s been a fun ride hasn’t it. And great for the game in Qld.

 

[Obeanie1]

Growing the game is paramount. Don’t worry about the actual games.

Or the integrity of games and results.

 

[Dr Tigris]

The point is AFL concessions and rules are stacking gun teams who don't need help.

That's the issue.

And the only issue. Everything else is noise.

Why are the AFL helping the "fastest horses run even faster"?

That is not equalisation. That's the point.

The current rules and concessions do not assist equalisation when the back to back premiers can bend over the teams finish bottom and also get discounts on father sons and academy kids.

It's a crazy set up.

Doesn't pass the pub test.

That's where the recent changes in what you have to pay to match a bid come in. Brisbane would be unlikely to be able to match from the last few years going forward. Of course, they have been gifted an elite midfield for peanuts in the meantime. But the AFL came to the party, only about 20 years too late, but better than never.

Win the GF, pick = 18. Match pick 1 = picks in top 5. Very hard to trade into those picks without trading players.

 

[Mr Meow]

That's where the recent changes in what you have to pay to match a bid come in. Brisbane would be unlikely to be able to match from the last few years going forward. Of course, they have been gifted an elite midfield for peanuts in the meantime. But the AFL came to the party, only about 20 years too late, but better than never.

Win the GF, pick = 18. Match pick 1 = picks in top 5. Very hard to trade into those picks without trading players.

Yep, which applied a few years ago would mean you get W.Ashcroft or Dunkley + Fletcher - not both.

Same story with Geelong in 2006, they would have had to choose between Hawkins and Selwood. It just came after missing finals rather than making a prelim, and wasn't followed up with gifted top end talent during 2007-2011.

 

[ferball]

Did not one here actually pay attention to the pre-season?

The heavy hitters are clear.

I'd bet all of your houses on Carlton v North Melbourne being the GF.

Carlton v North will be the GF Game. Same as last year. Everyone knows that already.

 

[James Colorado]

Carlton v North will be the GF Game. Same as last year. Everyone knows that already.

Blues were just foxing tonight. Blow out a few cobwebs, give everyone a false sense of security, then BAM!!

 

[Sainter93]

It is for Carlton

 

[Obeanie1]

That's where the recent changes in what you have to pay to match a bid come in. Brisbane would be unlikely to be able to match from the last few years going forward. Of course, they have been gifted an elite midfield for peanuts in the meantime. But the AFL came to the party, only about 20 years too late, but better than never.

Win the GF, pick = 18. Match pick 1 = picks in top 5. Very hard to trade into those picks without trading players.

Still doesnt address why super strong lists and back to back premiers get the same (actually more access with their academy) and concessions as the teams finishing last.

Thats the problem.

The AFL has put in restrictions but they are not being triggered because they are too light.

These current policies do not support equalisation. They do the opposite.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Still doesnt address why super strong lists and back to back premiers get the same (actually more access with their academy) and concessions as the teams finishing last.

Thats the problem.

The AFL has put in restrictions but they are not being triggered because they are too light.

These current policies do not support equalisation. They do the opposite.

This has been a potential problem for decades. No the lions win 2 GF's, got lucky, then got luckier, then luckier again. So the AFL makes it almost impossible for this to happen again. Pretty much closing the door after the horse lion has bolted and had cubs.

 

[Viceregal]

This has been a potential problem for decades. No the lions win 2 GF's, got lucky, then got luckier, then luckier again. So the AFL makes it almost impossible for this to happen again. Pretty much closing the door after the horse lion has bolted and had cubs.

Making ordered strategic plans and policies on the basis of dealing with tactical chaotic events doesn't sound like a good way to build a stable system...

 

[Toump Ass]

And that exact same advantage is available to every club. It is pot luck

It might be pot luck if clubs has the same number of players eligible for father son, but they don't.

For instance Carlton Salary Cap Cheats, Lions Threepeat COLA have more players doing 100 games because they could pay more for players than the poor sainters, for instance.

 

[Viceregal]

It might be pot luck if clubs has the same number of players eligible for father son, but they don't.

For instance Carlton Salary Cap Cheats, Lions Threepeat COLA have more players doing 100 games because they could pay more for players than the poor sainters, for instance.

Always seems strange to me that not only do Brisbane get bounced for qualifying for a league wide retention allowance (no Cola) but the fact that the Collingwoid players were actually being paid more than the Brisbane ones were gets conveniently forgotten...

 

[Elixuh]

It might be pot luck if clubs has the same number of players eligible for father son, but they don't.

For instance Carlton Salary Cap Cheats, Lions Threepeat COLA have more players doing 100 games because they could pay more for players than the poor sainters, for instance.

We need cola back just so that we can compete with the third party vfl payment rort scheme.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

It's a long year anything can happen. I remember 1990 when Hawks were back-to-back premiers and rolled 1989 Grand Finalist Geelong by 20 goals in round 1, everyone was saying Hawks couldn't be beaten. Then came a steady flow of injuries to key players and they were eliminated in the first round of the finals. Certainly, if Brisbane remain sound and in good form, they will be tough to beat, but there are no guarantees of that.

 

[Toump Ass]

Collingwoid players were actually being paid more than the Brisbane ones.

Retention allowance, cola, who cares what it was called. It is payment outside of the cap.

How was Collingwood players getting paid more?

 

[Obeanie1]

Making ordered strategic plans and policies on the basis of dealing with tactical chaotic events doesn't sound like a good way to build a stable system...

What tactical chaotic event?

Certain clubs getting significantly assistance when they don't need it?

Assistance others refer to as welfare.

 

[Obeanie1]

Always seems strange to me that not only do Brisbane get bounced for qualifying for a league wide retention allowance (no Cola) but the fact that the Collingwoid players were actually being paid more than the Brisbane ones were gets conveniently forgotten...

When did that happen?

Lions and Swans got COLA / extra cap space.

Above what other clubs had.

Until it was removed.

 

[StevoJenkins]

Cheap discounted access to academy and fathers sons whilst contending.

Should've known you'd be posting here. You and the other WC fella will post just about anywhere if it's Brisbane/academy related.

Lions have access to Hodge Jnr under their academy. You happy about that concession?

Someone deadset legend already broke down these points, but I'll give you some cliff notes:

Hodge can go where he wants, however; we will not draft him. We won't have the capital for another small/medium back.

Why should the AFL allow discounts for lists who are super strong and playing and winning grand finals? That concession is plain crazy.

Because it's not just for the current premier, as what's been pointed out to you multiple times. Father-son for example applies to everyone. Take out father-sons, and we only have two first rounders (Annable, Marshall) in two years, one of which has yet to play a game.

And the academy has been producing in the past few years plus landed the best pure mid in the 2025 draft after winning back to back flags. Again at a discount.

If you are referring to Annable, (again) he's yet to play a game.

AGAIN, why do you and your friends do not mention Blake Coleman, Ben Keays, Matt Hammelamn, Liam Dawson and many others who were rated enough, either later on or when they were drafted, but never really made it?

AFL rules allowed them to pick up a gun free agent Oscar Allen at no draft cost. And then force a trade for a FA to the team that finished last and had their captain poached.

In horse racing this is equivalent to increasing the weight for the horse finishing last. And reducing the weight carried by the horse winning the race by 5 lengths.

This has been explained to you before, but I'll do this again.

Your club making a bad list management decision is not the fault of the North or Academies. Your club pushed him out, then he got to our club. RFA and FA movements have always been unfair since their inception, but because this time it happens to a Northern team with an academy and your team, you seem to have a problem with it.

And some people feel these AFL rules and concessons are fine? It isn't. It's the AFL nepo expansion states getting fed by a silver spoon so the AFL makes more money and the fat cat executives get their bonuses.

You should talk to a certain GWS fan, he'd agree with you.

The point is AFL concessions and rules are stacking gun teams who don't need help.

That's the issue.

And the only issue. Everything else is noise.

Why are the AFL helping the "fastest horses run even faster"?

That is not equalisation. That's the point.

The current rules and concessions do not assist equalisation when the back to back premiers can bend over the teams finish bottom and also get discounts on father sons and academy kids.

It's a crazy set up.

Doesn't pass the pub test.

The only apparent players Brisbane got with concessions who will play tomorrow are Fletcher and Ashcrofts x2. Marshall has been dropped and Annable has yet to play.

On the other hand, Logan Morris was taken at pick in the 30's in his draft year. Anyone could've grabbed him earlier, but other clubs thought he was undersized - your club could've grabbed him at any time, but nobody did until us at 31. Same with Kai Lohman who got to the second round before he was drafted.

Unlike Annable and Marshall, who are still unknowns, Morris and Lohman will play tomorrow.

that we do know - that would simply not have happened - you could have offered all your picks from that year and all the future picks from the following two years and you would not have had any interest (at least since the Freo recruiting department got overhauled). We tried that to get Curnow and carlton just laughed at us.

It was well known on our board at the time that our recruiting team would've 1000% gone into a points deficit to get the Ashcroft brothers - if forced to.