Lever's Adelaide exit about money: Walker

There'd be no platform or physical parade, just a nice little photo of them on a computer screen. I'm sure it would be no less tasteful than the current system.

Sounds much too much like the old slave auctions. A human is walked up to the platform and the rich 'bid' to own them.

fair slap Baz but Tex seems more about making 'statements' (remember the mullett?) than backing it up onfield IMHO

The auction would be like an on line auction ,where all the lots are auctioned simultainiously, within a time frame. The clubs would submit their lists and the AFL would put those names on the agenda. Because there's going to be a degree of repeat nominations, the AFL would invite clubs to expand their lists,until there are the same amount or slightly more candidates than spots available on clubs' squads.

No doubt he's having to sell the vision to the team. All leaders do. When you're a start up it's all vision with the promise of 'many happy returns.' Adelaide has yet to reach the ranks of an AFL juggernaut. They're still trying to establish that reputation and no doubt that will require some sacrifices along the way.

He isn't captain...

Obviously Walker is going to regret these comments down the track - presumably he won't be repeating them next season when someone else wants out. But I'd add too, I think Walker needs help as captain. He plays exclusively in the forward line and struggles to impose himself on the game when the Crows are being flogged in the midfield. If you look at other teams in the AFL, most of the captains are midfielders, and those that aren't like GWS or Gold Coast have co-captains to give greater coverage. I think if Adelaide want to toughen up their side they need a captain in the midfield. Surely Sloane needs to be appointed in the off-season, he's the standout candidate. Take some of the heat off Tex and let him focus on his game and kicking goals. Having a key forward as skipper just feels a bit like having a fast bowler as your captain in a test team, just doesn't feel right. Midfielders are the best option, they're in the guts, they see all the players and all the ball.

Maybe, but it does sound like it could be a very long process as not all candidates get drafted. It could also be a little bit degrading actually being auctioned off. How would they drcide the order of the allotments ? Would it be better to go early or late ? Perhaps clubs could forward a list of candidates, the length of the list commeasurate with the number of spots to be filled on their squad and clubs can only bid on players they have registered an interest in. There's a lot to think through.

How do players get to clubs in the first place? Some sort of auction for points?

Well I'm glad you asked. Obviously if it was open slather the rest of the competition would get bored with watching Adelaide vs West Coast in the GF every year, clubs would fold or be demoted, fewer Victorian teams, short term collapse of any teams from non football states. Competion would become more sustainable then naturally expand. Long term everything fine. AFL not going to like that path. What I would propose rather than an allocation of draft picks would be draft points, like F/S academy points, allocated according to ladder position and clubs could spend points anyway they choose, the amount of points a player costs would be commeasurate with the contract offered ( the salary cap would still apply). There's alot of finer details to be worked through there, but I think it could be implemented when trading uncontracted players. Clubs have a certain amount of points commeasurate with their draft position. So Melbourne want Lever they convert draft picks into points, Lever is worth the amount of points that the higher of the two contracts offered by Adelaide and Melbourne indicate,Adelaide uses points anyway they want. Melbourne can pay over two drafts, but the price is fixed. This would stop clubs like Brisbane getting screwed by other clubs, because those clubs would have to pay the right price and stop clubs poaching players that they really can't afford, because they don't have or arn't prepared to give up draft or player capital.

Basil,I can see the frustration and agree the league is far to Victorian centric but I still think Walker is showing poor leadership. Also,maybe not all the playing group feel the same way as Walker meaning these sorts of comments are best off left to the president in this instance,or even the coach.

In defence of Tex, I think this is just a build up of frustration due to the skewed nature of the AFL. Non-Victorian clubs are clearly up against it. The fact that if a Non-Vic club can finish top and play the GF on the other teams home patch emphasises this. The fact that the rules allow a young player that the club has invested heavily in can leave after only 3yrs does stink a bit. Those of you that follow a Vic team may or may not see the frustration in this but it's there. Nothing will change, it is what it is, but it is frustrating.

Name calling and picking on ones appearance.... classy.

and Dusty isn't a bogan?

What would you replace it with?

Why wasn't Lever given the choice of where he wanted to play when he was 18, he could have been playing for Melbourne for the last 3 years and he wouldn't have had to pretend that he was happy playing some place else. Get rid of the draft, it causes home sickness, Adelaide will just have to try to make do without it.

He's not carrying on though he was asked why he thought Lever left and he answered honestly.

has anyone watched lever as a one on one defender. he's no rance. let's hope for Melbourne's sake that he learns how to do it. otherwise they are paying way way over. 2 first round picks is a steal, and adelaide must be licking their lips at the prospect. tom doedee looks like the next man up. a great lock down defender who plays off his man ala ben hart or andrew mckay. let's hope he's as good as them.

Tex has put 3 times the energy into bagging Lever than his effort on GF day!

I love how Walker goes "I didn't a crack at him" and then describes saying to Lever he's choosing money over success. Does he know what having a "crack at him" means?