Trading through the season.

[Santos L Helper]

I'm new to these boards, so if you have discussed this before, I'm sorry. This may be long winded too.

At the moment we have two draft days and a trade week. I don't understand why teams are unable to improve their lists during the season. Now I'm not talking open slather, but a monitered and regulated trading system could work.
Injuries and poor form can severely affect your teams position on the ladder. Say, team A has a deficiency across half back, but has an abundance of on ballers, and Team B is short of running players. Team A could swap an on baller for a half back from team B and both teams gain from the deal.
You maybe thinking of the Salary cap? This is where regulations come in. A team must take over the existing contract of any player they trade for, which will stop richer teams getting the best players. The salary cap then stays in place because all contracts would be lodged with the AFL. All trading would have to be completed by a certain date, maybe June 30.
I think this would also expose the dud coaches who have zero vision and are happy with their favourite players etc.
Well that's the basic idea. I'll answer any questions and discuss improvements or criticisms. I just don't think the present system is working.

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If ya smell what I'm cooking!!

 

[QT]

Got no idea what half of it meant.....but welcome to Bigfooty!

 

[Pessimistic]

If they cut the lists more I think there is an argument for clubs to be able to 'recruit' from lower leagues as required. This might encourage older players to stay in the system and play VFL etc for a few years - If they hit good form they would get called up.

I don't agree with inter-club trades. Having a stable group of players from one season to the next is one of the good points of AFL - You can Identify with them better, for better or worse.

 

[BUBBALOUIS]

I think you might be on to something, better administered clubs will be the benefactors. A case in point was Russell Greenes transfer to Hawthorn mid season years ago, both the Saint and Hawks traded for what they thought was the benefit of both clubs. Hawthorn ended up with the better deal but i remember at the time alot of scribes thought the three players the Saints got were better value. Adds a bit more intrigue mid season too! Good way to sell more Inside Football Magazines to, nothing like good rumours

 

[The invisible mullet]

There used to be a midseason draft - I think it finished in the early 90s. I think it's a good idea so long as it is restricted to lower leagues and to maybe one pick per club.

 

[Shinboners]

Adding to Pess's comments, another reason for a ban on mid-season inter-club trades is the amount of rumours that would inevitably occur leading up to a trade period, especially if rumours are fanned by some of the less ethical player-managers.

Overall though, leave the system as it is. There is still some scope for adding players during the season by leaving a spot free on the list and the club promoting a rookie to that spot during the year if form warrants it.

 

[Santos L Helper]

Shinboner, player managers being less than ethical? Where's your trust in human nature?

Player managers are already manipulating contracts by starting rumours whenever a players contract comes up for renewal.
Believe it or not, but a friend of mine who is an on-air sports presenter in Adelaide at channel 7 actually presented my idea to Wayne Jackson at an AFL dinner. He flatly refused to even discuss it, mainly due to his belief that the system works. I'm sorry to point out that the current system is not working. The league is not even close to being even, and that's what the current trade system was supposed to do.

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If ya smell what I'm cooking!!