Scott Watters has suggested the AFL introduce a mid-season draft. The first-year coach of St. Kilda conveyed his thoughts in Thursday’s Herald Sun.
“I think a mid-season draft would provide all clubs with the flexibility to make some changes.”
His comments to the paper came about due to the Saints being short in their ruck stocks.
“From a duty of care point of view I’ll be forced to run a 189cm ruckmen or a key-position player – and they’re going up against monsters.”
Why stop with only bringing in a draft? How about an in-season trade period with a deadline at the end of round eight?
I am not mocking Scott. There is in no element of sarcasm involved with my question.
It ‘s common within American sports including the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL) and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Additionally, it takes place in world football.
I have no doubt that this idea will be cut down quicker than Australia’s own world champion woodchopper “Big Dave” Foster at the Sydney Royal Easter Show doing his fine work on a log.
But let’s challenge conventions.
In the past there have been several discussions around bringing in a mid-season trade window, so my thinking isn’t new.
The slight variation would be having that window open from early October right through until round eight in the following year.
Former AFL CEO Ross Oakley scrapped the trialling of something similar when in his first year. Why? It was supposedly because the initiative was lacking support from both players and clubs.
Just under 10 years on, Andy D and the board should give it great consideration. Trades can work both ways – they can hurt a club but can also help a club.
A swap of players could potentially set both teams involved in the trade up for a run to the finals.
Another component is it provides players who fall out of favour and are sent to the VFL to then move on to a new senior environment and try their luck elsewhere.
Before you say that this is a ridiculous idea, where is the harm of it being an option to the clubs? If they want to bolster their hopes for year than I’m sure they’ll try and work a deal out. On the other hand, if a club doesn’t want to be involved, if they regard the loyalty word so highly, then they won’t trade.
My message to the league would be to consider both suggestions, merge, play with, mould, don’t rush it.
However, there needs to be change and the game would benefit from the AFL at least considering the options.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
I like your thinking.
ChrisW
Guest
Sounds great, could help to balance the comp a bit better. Australian rules football can be very predictable after the first 10 weeks or so. Teams need to clean out there players more often if performing bad instead of "bleeding" them all through.
TomC
Roar Guru
I think there are a few practical issues, like teams potentially trading for players from clubs who decide mid-season to go into a 'rebuilding phase'. Already this season, there are at least five teams who are realistically looking towards 2013 and they'd be strongly tempted to trade away some of their established players for young prospects, making them even less competitive in the second half of the season and making 'tanking' more acute. Port, for example, have John Butcher pushing to take Schultz's spot in the forwardline. As an in-form forward, Schultz would be pretty attractive to some of the teams pushing for a flag this year. Without him, what are the chances that Port could have influenced the finals race by knocking off the Roos last weekend? But mostly my problem is an emotional one, really. It's already hard enough as a Brisbane fan to see Mitch Clark, Michael Rischitelli and Lachie Henderson running around for other teams. Would hate to see someone who'd been in a Lions jumper at the start of the season playing against us a few weeks later.
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
Right behind you in this one Cam, bring it in! With free agency coming in this year and player movement increasing, it's a transition in our game we just have to adjust to in my view. There are always players at clubs wanting an opportunity at AFL level and this would see alot of state level players get opportunities. More good luck stories like James Podsiadly and Michael Barlow can only be a good thing for our game.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
TomC - I'm interested to hear your thoughts on why it should not be introduced. As I mentioned, it would take a great deal of time before anything like this happened as there are so many components to sort out. Interesting though about your idea (rookie listed players).
TomC
Roar Guru
As a fan I'd rather not see players traded midseason. I think it'd be okay for rookie listed players (who haven't been elevated) to be given a chance by another club, if a mid-year draft became a reality.