The Roar
The Roar

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New AFL draft format lacks polish

24th November, 2015
2

The new-look AFL draft needs work.

It was too long, too beset by technical issues, too convoluted, too confusing.

The new live bid system is impenetrable, no matter how many times the league tries to explain it.

The scene was set when AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan walked out on stage to start the official proceedings.

One fan in the stands at the Adelaide Convention Centre booed him.

The clubs were set up in their own booths in a room next to the main hall to give them more privacy as they debated picks.

But this made the running of the draft feel disjointed.

Then the sound would suddenly drop away and there were periods of silence towards the end of the first round.

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The live bid system meant the first round last for nearly an hour – far too long.

There was too much buildup for Jacob Weitering’s nomination as the No.1 pick, which was expected anyway.

The AFL usually runs a slick event, but the first national draft in Adelaide since 1997 was not one of the league’s better efforts.

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