‘Rules on the hop’: South Adelaide star Joel Cross lashes AFL’s new draft rules

South Adelaide’s SANFL Player of the Week Joel Cross continues to lead from the front, although he is definitely no fan of the new AFL draft rules that have hurt the Panthers.

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Dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross is definitely no fan of the new draft rules which have hit South Adelaide’s big man strength and significantly hurt the club’s chance of ending the 55-year premiership drought.

The Panthers lost star ruckman Keegan Brooksby and talented young forward Hayden McLean in the pre-season supplementary draft and then emerging ruckman Michael Knoll in the mid-season draft.

South Adelaide co-captain has been in outstanding form again this season and is the SANFL Player of the Week. Picture: Tom Huntley

Cross believes the AFL has not thought its way through the new draft processes well and were making rules on the “hop”.

“Rewind 12 months and all of those players would not be allowed to go,” Cross said. “We’ve lost all three to the new rules.

“From our perspective, first and foremost, we are very happy and very proud of the development program which has enabled them to be picked up. And it is great these players are getting an opportunity at AFL level.

“But from a team perspective, it is very difficult. I feel the AFL is making rules on the hop a bit, but it is a part of life and there is no arguing with it.”

The Panthers have lost both games since Knoll was taken by Sydney in the mid-season draft, although they will rue the two-point loss to Norwood at Noarlunga Oval on Monday as one which got away after controlling much of the contest.

Cross continued his brilliant form, picking up a game-high 33 possessions and kicking four goals in a performance recognised as The Advertiser/SANFL Player of the Week.

“I love playing footy, it is still the best fun I have all week,” Cross said. “It just takes longer to get the body up for each game.

“I’m playing a bit of a different role these days and playing more up forward. It’s good for the younger players to come through and get more opportunity in the midfield.

“Ben Heaslip and Mark Noble are going through the midfield more and getting that time to develop.”

Cross claims fumbling under pressure cost the side dearly against the Redlegs, and they let the visitors back into the game in the third quarter after having a stranglehold on the contest.