Alastair Clarkson has made a habit in 2020 of generating headlines with his post-match comments when the Hawks lose, and given they’ve been doing a fair bit of the latter, he’s had plenty of opportunity to do the former.
On Tuesday last week after the Hawks became the first team this season to lose to the Adelaide Crows – but evidently not the last – Clarkson spoke out about the compromised nature of the draft, casting doubt upon the viability of a draft-based rebuild as the strategy of choice for his club.
“When people say why don’t you just rebuild and go to the draft – you can’t go to the draft, it’s so compromised,” said Clarkson. “You have to do it with other mechanisms like free agency and the depth of your rookie list.”
Some commentators have accused Clarkson of deflection – looking to distract attention away from his side’s poor on-field performances by lobbing criticism at the game’s governing body. And maybe that’s a fair description of his behaviour – I’ll leave it for you to judge.
But deflection or not, Clarkson isn’t wrong when he says that the draft is compromised. The flourishing of northern states academies, which has in turn led to the introduction of ‘Next Generation’ academies, has seen more and more draft prospects tied to an AFL club pre-draft as years go by.
(Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
The 2020 draft was billed as the most compromised in the history of the game. There was a little bit of Henny Penny in that, but it’s not far off the truth – right now there’s probably half a dozen father-son or academy prospects in the likely top 20, which makes it roughly as compromised as the draft in 2015, when five of the first 16 picks were academy selections.
Some of these compromises are necessary – “good for the game”, as is often said. The AFL’s father-son rule is universally admired, and while it’s been a hotly debated talking point at times, most would agree that giving clubs in New South Wales and Queensland priority access to local talent is the best way to counterbalance some of their geographical disadvantages.
But the next-generation academies, which were brought in largely to placate clubs in traditional footy states who rallied against the northern states academies once it became clear they would produce quality talent more often than once in a blue moon, have been a step too far.
Seeking to strengthen pathways for players of Indigenous or multicultural backgrounds to enter the AFL is a noble goal, but the eligibility rules for NGA players are much too broad and have captured many players whose backgrounds were never going to stop them from getting onto an AFL list.
Take, for example, 2020 draft prospect James Borlase. His father Darryl was a Port Adelaide SANFL premiership captain, playing 246 games for the Magpies, but by the technicalities of the NGA rules Borlase is considered an academy prospect for the Adelaide Crows because he lives in their zone and was born in Egypt (while his father worked there for the Australian Wheat Board).
To pretend the NGA system is setting up a pathway to football that otherwise wouldn’t have been there for Borlase is just farcical. It’s a compromise we can do without.
In good news, it appears the AFL will scale back the concessions afforded to clubs under the NGA system over the next few years, although the exact details of how much change will occur and over what kind of time frame remains unclear.
In brief, a rule will be brought in that makes NGA players part of the open draft if they’re bid on early, with their zoned clubs only eligible to match bids for them should those bids come in the later rounds of the draft.
This won’t affect the 2020 draft (breathe easy, Bulldogs fans), and it’s not clear just where the boundary between bidding rules will lie, but without yet knowing the full details it seems like a sensible decision that allows for the best of both worlds.
It’ll mean more of the best draft prospects are freed up to be drafted by the clubs that need them most while still offering AFL clubs just a little bit of incentive to pick up players of diverse backgrounds who they might otherwise overlook.
Another matter that needs the AFL’s attention is: should the Gold Coast Suns still retain the priority concessions that have been given to them over the next two drafts?
The Suns have been big improvers in 2020 – five wins is a modest tally, but it belies their 101.8 percentage, currently the only team north of 100 in the AFL’s bottom eight. It’s clear that big strides forward have been made from their seemingly dire position at the end of 2019.
But Gold Coast currently retain the ability to add academy players to their list without needing to match a bid for the next two years, which in 2020 would mean they can add possible top-20 prospects Alex Davies and Joel Jeffrey to their list without surrendering any draft capital.
They also still possess a priority pick at the end of Round 1 in the 2021 draft.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
I don’t say this to make a target of the Suns – their rise to relevance has been one of the best stories of 2020 and their talented young team is a delight to watch.
But the AFL when doling out their assistance package last year stated that it would be reviewed on an annual basis. It’s time to conduct that review and recognise that they are no longer in need of extra assistance.
The league has a larger and more pressing task ahead of them, though, in the form of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the AFLPA which, among other things, will define the sizes of AFL lists in 2021 and the future.
A senior list of 38 or 40 and a rookie list of just two seems the most likely outcome for 2021, though the change may be delayed, or further shrinking of list sizes may be forecast for seasons further into the future.
Clarkson himself stated last week that he “can’t understand what the delay is on that”, and issued this plea to the executive: “So please, AFL, give us some information. We need it badly”.
The Hawks won’t be the only club waiting on clarity around list sizes and the salary cap to begin making list management decisions, but they are the club for whom the choice of direction appears least clear.
They are the league’s oldest team and also one of its worst, a situation which usually sees all signs pointing towards a rebuild at the draft. But Clarkson’s public rhetoric suggests he’s still far from convinced that’s the right direction to go in.
“When did you think the Bulldogs piece of silverware was going to come in 2015? What about Richmond? What about Hawthorn in 2006, 2007, when did you think there’s was going to come? When did you think Hawthorn’s was going to come when we were 1-6 in 2010 and played off in a prelim final next year?” Clarkson asked reporters on Tuesday.
“The game can turn very, very quickly … right now it just seems like we’re a world away from that, but it turns.”
Whether or not this is a view shared by those who manage the playing list at Hawthorn remains unclear. And if indeed a difference of opinions does arise, we don’t yet know who will get their way.
All I will say for now on the matter is that the biggest (and at times seemingly only) shining light for Hawthorn this year has been the form of first-year player Will Day. And how did he arrive at the club? With a first-round draft pick. More of that might not be a bad idea.
Perhaps the Hawks will rebound quickly and history will vindicate Clarkson – or perhaps the paths he and his club want to go down are about to diverge like roads in a yellow wood. Either way, what happens next will make history.
Reggie Redleggs
Guest
Why even bother with it and make life complicated with a draft? I've never understood the AFL obsession with it, unless they want to remain relevant for 2 -3 weeks during the post season. There is already salary cap limits for teams, so why make it more complicated for the sake of being complicated with player movements? I'm surprised AFLPA allows this stupid system as it restricts the freedom of labour movements. The NRL functions fine without it.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Choosing to enter the Academy of a specific club will probably influence where the kid gets drafted. No doubt the Borlace family were aware of all of the issues when they chose to enter that Academy. Perhaps Borlace could have "moved out" to live within the catchment? He didn't do that. Why would that be? We haven't heard any whinge from the Borlace's on this situation ... just from the usual Port whingers!
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
What teenager chooses to live anywhere? I doubt any parent was considering that when purchasing a house........will this change the way my kid is drafted?? Hmmm
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
A player who’s dad played for PA, and actually wanted to play for his father’s club should probably have not chose to live 4 streets from the academy zone border, or declined the opportunity to enter any Academy that wasn't connected to his Father's Club! People make choices and his started when he chose to play for Sturt!
MG
Roar Rookie
Many things in the AFL come down to money. The AFL are quite happy having others pay for them. Try looking into how much QBE has helped the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. Or look into Paul Moore of PMCapital (Giants). The AFL know they will not get sponsors like that without them being affiliated to a Club. Also think about where the AFL Academy would pick up its coaches and facilities.
MG
Roar Rookie
The Academies have improved the quality of players available to be drafted in NSW and QLD. Without them you don't get the player at 14 because they've already been picked up earlier.
Slane
Guest
2004 and 2005 off the top of my head.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
PPV, I love the movie but I didn't get the connection to the Hawks being in the Wilderness for 5 years? Can you provide further details to a simple member of the Peoples front of Judea?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Yes Liam, the draft set up has nothing to do with their terrible form. With little change from last year's squad, except getting Mitchell back, they are going to drop from 9th to about 16th. They are a better team than that with multiple all Australians in their line-up . The big question is what steps are they going to need to take to get themselves back into the premiership window.
KJ
Guest
Out of interest, are the numbers of QLD and NSW kids on AFL lists increasing since the league was expanded? Or is it too early to tell? I've noticed a few more QLD players coming through, but I think some are playing AFL due to actually being from a football state originally and their parents migrating to SE qld, eg Eric Hipwood.
Davico
Roar Pro
THIS!
Fairsuckofthesav
Roar Rookie
Clarkson is such a bad loser. Easy enough to hold a press conference when you're winning but much harder to remain dignified when you're losing. He's blamed losses on rules, players diving, the draft, you name it. In regards to rules, I recall he exploited the rushed behind to win a GF which necessitated a rule change - so rules are ok when you can exploit them but not ok when you lose. He could learn a lot from the new Crows coach, Nicks in how to conduct himself following a loss.
Davico
Roar Pro
I know WASS does not like me comparing to NBA, and I know it is a different situation because of the vast difference in dollars, but clubs being able to offer extra money for stars that they drafted than other clubs can, perhaps outside the standard salary cap maybe an idea. Of course it would have to be capped, and only certain players eligible (All-Australian, top 5 in the Coleman, Top 10 Brownlow or something similar), but it might help some blokes not get "homesick" and provide added incentive to stick around and make the teams that developed them successful. Having said all that, I am well aware that doing the above will also make it an uneven playing field depending on if you get lucky in the draft with a gun. If I had all the answers I guess I would have Gil's job, though I am not from the Vic private school old boys club so very unlikely!!
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Yes understand the concept of putting hard work into developing young players for little return. It must be frustrating especially when they are first round draft picks. I think Nathan Buckley was a prime example. If the AFL were to invoke an option clause, it should work in post codes & there should be some sort of benefit to the player. E.g. min salary amount etc. The club would need to prove in a monetary form that they are not invoking this option only due to fact that they have the right to invoke it.
Shane
Guest
It will never be fair
Shane
Guest
Non AFL states need the academies and 1 per team. I know the Swans pay for their academy which is over $1 million a year. No other states need academies. They are full of talent.
Davico
Roar Pro
Do the traditional AFL states really need zones though? They don't have the competition for youth to play growing up like the Northern States do. I am not saying that the Swans or GWS should have zones in places like Wagga and southern NSW that have strong youth AR Football competitions and participation as that is probably a bit rich. When you are talking about from say the Illawarra up the coast to NQ it is a different story as League and Soccer dominate there needs to be some sort of incentive for the clubs to spend the time and resources to develop the talent and for the kids to feel they have an opportunity to play for a team in their own state. Otherwise, you will just not have kids play the sport. I am not saying I have all the answers, but is it not better that the Eastern seaboard is producing 20-30 potential prospects a year rather than a handful? Maybe even only allow the Northern states to have the chance at 1 academy product a year? Maybe just have the league take over the academies to devleop the academies for the whole league? I know that FS will never go, just like in any normal time the MCG will be where the GF will be held. Just don't pretend that the comp is fair and even if you have a draft with no concessions bar FS and the GF is played in Mlb every year!
Shane
Guest
and hold players to contracts and stop letting them choose their clubs mid contract.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
I've no problem with academies - if used properly. I would prefer the old zoning system updated to cater for the SA & WA teams as the NSW & QLD teams already them. This would get rid of NGA's as they should already be there. Prospects like Borlase shouldn't be allowed in them as his dad played SANFL and was in Egypt for work and returned only a few years later. He would have been in the system anyway. NGA's should only cater to; 1. Overseas born players (including 1 parent and this is where they spent most of their youth) 2. Those from another sport 3. Father-Son recruits Zone academies would cater to the rest. Maybe the team looking after that area should be allowed first access to a max of 5 players a year however the mix of academy and zone? The rort is because of people like Eddie Maguire and co who bleat about the "extra" benefits that the Northern teams get, yet are quite happy to benefit from raiding those clubs later on.
Davico
Roar Pro
That is all well and good. It is still not a level playing field if you keep it and that is the point I am trying to make. As I pointed out earlier, Murphy had no real link to the Lions as his father played for Fitzroy and he was born and bred in Vic. As I also pointed out plenty of Vic have and will play for interstate teams and get to 200 games and then move back to Vic to raise their kids who will have no affinity for those clubs bar that their dad's played there. Most probably would not even support those clubs growing up in Vic! If you want to get rid of all the other concessions, academies etc, then you can't keep FS, it is that simple.