The Australian Football League (AFL) commission can put an end to the topic of tanking by scraping the current draft system and implementing a lottery version famously employed by the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Following the recent comments made by former Melbourne and now Carlton midfielder Brock McLean, the AFL has announced an investigation into the remarks and how the integrity of the game has been called into question.
They will gather some information and then we, the audience, will sit back in our chairs and listen assiduously to the same old drivel that rears its head annually.
Enough is enough and I direct two words straight at the commission: Just act.
Here’s what should happen at league headquarters. For the upcoming draft, leave it the way it is. In the meantime, study the NBA draft system and then adopt it.
As a basketball player, fan and analyst, I have for years held this opinion.
The current AFL draft system is discernibly flawed. When the number one, two and three picks are known to clubs locked in based on the position standings, then theories and questions will creep in more and more as the season goes on.
The NBA lottery draft varies and although your team may end the season with the worst record, the third selection may be what you end up with. This system revolves around standings (wins/loss record), chance, numbers and ping-pong balls.
The association introduced the lottery many years ago. They did this because of this very issue of teams tanking to secure the number one pick.
Sure there are conspiracy theorists out there that claim the lottery system is rigged, but in the end you just need to ask who they support, what pick in the draft they have and you’ll soon discover a pattern.
Let’s cut the BS. Assemble the board members. Target the issue of tanking. Adapt. Implement the AFL version of the NBA lottery draft. And then let’s identify another matter to whine about.
While Andy and his boardroom warriors are at, maybe they could also scrap the father-son rule…
GCS
Guest
I agree that only the bottom 5 should go into the lottery. At least that way, the lowest draft pick that the bottom side will get will be the 5th pick. There still could be a chance that the team that is due to finish 13th, could tank in the last game so that they have a shot at the lottery. Interesting that in the NBA, the worst team has only got the first pick 3 times since 1985. A good reason to limit the teams in the lottery I think.
Gwils
Guest
I'm sorry I asked! In the AFL, maybe we only need to look at the bottom half of those who didn't make the finals, ie the bottom five. Then they could be weighted as follows: - bottom team with 5 balls - 2nd bottom with 4 balls, etc So they add up to 15 balls, meaning bottom has a 33% chance, while the 5th bottom team has a 6.666% chance.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Here are two links that explain it well: http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/inside-2012-nba-draft-lottery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Draft_Lottery
Gwils
Guest
Cameron Can you please describe the NBA system?
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Father-Son rule is very unique to AFL - do not touch it! What the AFL has to accept is that perception is reality - whether they want to admit it or not the SUPPORTERS believe it is going on and that is the most important thing. For the integrity of the competition moving forward the lottery is probably the best option. Cannot have scenario's like Carlton 4-5 years ago and Melbourne 2-3 years ago wanting certain kids in the draft and making it happen with ridiculous coaching moves that they cover up by saying "players need to learn positions all over the ground".
GCS
Guest
Why on earth would you want to scrap the father-son rule. I think it is one of the best things they have implemented. Essendon supporters are probably already keeping tabs on James Hird's sons.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I think that the idea of adopting the NBA draft system is a valid one. It will require the AFL admitting that clubs (not just Melbourne) tank, which they will never do. Still, they could state that while they don't believe that any club has ever tanked, they will be adopting the NBA draft system, as you suggest. A good article. I agree with you on everthing. Well, almost. "While Andy and his boardroom warriors are at, maybe they could also scrap the father-son rule…" Absolutely not!!!! I love it. The idea that a son could play for the club of his father is not only incredible romantic but unique to Australian Football and the AFL. I hope they never get rid of it.