SANFL clubs are nervous they will lose players in the AFL mid-season draft

There is so much mystery hanging over the mid-season draft, but the SANFL clubs are worried about the impact of losing key players. See who is in contention and the players your club can’t afford to lose.

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State league clubs are extremely nervous as they impatiently wait for the controversial mid-season draft to unfold in Melbourne on Monday night.

Just a single decision from an AFL club could have massive ramifications for a club with ambitious aspirations of premiership glory.

The SANFL clubs are united in their anger, well aware there is the potential to lose key players who are crucial to their plans.

South Adelaide ruckman Michael Knoll spoils Glenelg's Jesse White. Picture: AAP Image/Brenton Edwards

South Adelaide has already been raided in the pre-season supplementary draft when they had talented ruckman and leader Keegan Brooksby picked up by West Coast and then promising young forward Hayden McLean, recruited from Sandringham, was lost to Sydney on the eve of the first round.

Now the Panthers are bracing for another ruckman Michael Knoll, brought to the club from Victoria to replace Brooksby, to be announced as the club’s next player headed to the AFL system.

Only eight months after failing to earn a spot in the Box Hill team for the VFL grand final, the former basketballer is considered a prime draft prospect after flourishing under Jarrad Wright in the Panthers’ system.

There is no certainty he will be taken. But there has been much more noise involving Knoll, linked to injury-hit Essendon, than the lead up to the drafting of Brooksby and McLean.

While the state league clubs are furious the AFL opted to reintroduce a mid-season draft which they claim could derail their flag hopes, cost them sponsors and have members and fans walk away, the mystery hanging over the scheme is immense.

Clubs have had little interaction with their AFL counterparts to know what path they will take. Recruiters have been busy at games, but little has been revealed as to their intentions, and the players who have nominated speak of little knowledge as to their futures.

The draft was brought back to provide an opportunity for clubs to replace players who have been put on the inactive list because of injury or retirement.

However, clubs have made no secret they intend to pick players for development and to test as long-term prospects. Critics argue that was not the intention of the draft and AFL clubs should be relying on list management to negotiate a full season.

A massive concern for the SANFL clubs is the loss of players to the Adelaide and Port Adelaide, creating the double-edged sword scenario of weakening their sides while the AFL reserves are strengthened.

What approach the Crows and Power take to the draft belongs to the unknown. The Crows have a spot available because of the season-ending knee injury to Tom Doedee, while Power’s Jake Patmore is also out of action until 2020 after having knee surgery.

“Like all clubs, we have invested time and energy looking at the state league competition around the country to see what talent is available, but also with the lens of what are our needs now and into the future,” Crows general manager list management and strategy Justin Reid said.

“It has been an interesting exercise having the mid-season rookie draft to consider as part of our broader list management strategy and we are in the final stages of our decision making.”

Power general manager football Chris Davies said he understood the SANFL’s frustrations, but noted his club was playing in a national competition and the priority was its responsibility to ensuring it was competitive at that level.

He told the media on Thursday the club had not decided whether it would be involved in the mid-season draft, the first since 1993, and the Power was approaching it with an open mind.

“Our recruiting guys are still working through whether we want to have a selection or not,” he said last week. “We think our list is pretty balanced, but if we think there is someone that can potentially help us, then we will look at it.

“We’ll take into account the idea of taking a young player, but at the same time we’ll also contemplate if there is someone that we believe can help is out right now.”

Davies admits some clubs will exploit the rules and bring in young recruits, rather than mature-aged rookies.

PLAYERS YOUR TEAM CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE

Jydon Neagle kicks clear for Central District. Picture: AAP Image/Russell Millard

Central District

Jydon Neagle (midfield)

There are questions hanging over the Bulldogs’ depth and they cannot afford to lose anyone. Neagle joined the club this season and he adds toughness around the contest. His form has been okay, but expect improvement now he has a better understanding of the league.

Glenelg

Lachlan Hosie (forward)

He leads the goalkicking with 19 from seven games. Is athletic and hard to match up on and gives the Tigers’ attack that X factor needed to win big games. Can take big marks and plays with an AFL-type swagger.

North Adelaide midfield general Aidan Tropiano. Picture SARAH REED

North Adelaide

Aidan Tropiano (midfield)

The Roosters were raided in the national draft last year and that has hurt significantly. So losing another premiership player would be a massive headache for coach Josh Carr. Tropiano works hard and is not afraid to get his hands dirty getting inside ball.

Norwood

Matthew Nunn (midfield)

Having worked to improve his defensive actions, Nunn has emerged as a high quality onballer with the Redlegs. Gets his hands to plenty of ball, but if the Redlegs were to lose him, there is still Grigg and Panos.

Port Adelaide captain and former Fremantle Docker Cam Sutcliffe. Picture: Daniel Wilkins. PICTURED-

Port Adelaide

Cam Sutcliffe (midfield)

Knows the AFL system well after coming off Fremantle’s list after last season following 104 games. Played mostly in defence for the Dockers and was a member of the state side which beat the WAFL. Captains Port’s state league side and has loads of experience.

South Adelaide

Michael Knoll (ruckman)

The Panthers needed a ruckman after losing Keegan Brooksby in the pre-season supplementary draft and they recruited Knoll from Box Hill. He had had just two years in the sport after switching from basketball and was still learning the trade. But his development has blossomed at Noarlunga. He is athletic and the fact there are few big men available enhances his value.

Sturt

Tom Read (ruckman)

Can be used in ruck and up forward. Spent two years with Geelong so knows how the system works. Improving with his ability to take marks. Injuries have been a major issue though. Not easy for clubs to find big men so the Double Blues won’t want to lose him.

SANFL: West Adelaide v Adelaide at West home ground, Richmond, Sunday August 26, 2018, West's Jono Beech marks in the forward lines — pic AAP/MIKE BURTON

West Adelaide

Jono Beech (forward)

He may be 27, but provides leadership and a strong-marking weapon in attack. His experience and class is extremely valuable to the Bloods. It is not easy to replace forwards of his ability. Will Snelling would be huge loss to the Bloods’ midfield.

Woodville-West Torrens

Jordan Foote (midfield)

Has been exceptional for the Eagles in his debut SANFL season. Has had no trouble finding the ball and has been a highly consistent performer, even while his side has had its struggles. Was also productive in the state win over the WAFL. Has the advantage of experience in the AFL system, having been delisted by Sydney last year after three years and six games.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S DRAFT NOMINEES

Jonathon Beech (West Adelaide), Jack Blair (North Adelaide), Luke Bogle (South Adelaide), Jordon Boyle (Adelaide), Lachlan Burrows (Sturt), Declan Carmody (North Gambier), Oscar Chapman (North Adelaide), Bradley Close (Glenelg), Sam Colquhoun (Sturt), Angus Coxon (Henley), Abe Davis (South Adelaide), Liam Fitt (South Adelaide), Jordan Foote (Woodville-West Torrens), Cory Gregson (Glenelg), Joseph Haines (South Adelaide), Jack Hayes (Woodville-West Torrens), Joshua Hone (Sturt), Lachie Hosie (Glenelg), Daniel Johnston (Norwood), Michael Knoll (South Adelaide), Mihail Lochowiak (Sturt), Jesse Lonergan (Woodville-West Torrens), Marlon Motlop (Glenelg), Hugo Munn (Sturt), Jydon Neagle (Central District), Matt Neagle (Central District), John Noble (West Adelaide), Mark Noble (South Adelaide), Matthew Nunn (Norwood), Luke Partington (Glenelg), Angus Rana (West Adelaide), Thomas Read (Sturt), Hayden Sampson (South Adelaide), Isaac Saywell (Norwood), Will Snelling (West Adelaide), Luke Surman (Norwood), Cameron Sutcliffe (Port Adelaide), Jimmy Toumpas (Woodville-West Torrens), Aidan Tropiano (North Adelaide), Matthew Uebergang (Glenelg)

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE MID-SEASON DRAFT

This will have little or no impact on the AFL clubs, but the impact on the SANFL is enormous. To suggest that you can play a player from a state league, that he’s going to walk into an AFL side that same year, that’s pie in the sky stuff.

Norwood chief executive James Fantasia

Stephen Wells, who I have an enormous amount of respect for, our list manager and recruiting manager, has been opposed to the idea for a long time on the basis that the art of list management is getting your team ready for the whole season.

Geelong coach Chris Scott

We don’t want to knock anyone from the opportunity to play AFL football and if there is a need to have someone play AFL straight away we understand that. But if they are drafted essentially for back up, the player should be able to drop back to their SANFL club.

Woodville-West Torrens chief executive Luke Powell

The AFL has all the resources in the world, if you can’t go 22 weeks with 44 blokes on your list, what are you doing wrong?

Sturt coach Nathan Grima

It will hurt fans and they will be so bewildered and confused to think a player goes to another club which could help that team into the finals at our expense.

Central District chief executive Kris Grant

Removing players mid-year has the capacity to have an enormous impact on individual clubs, but the AFL don’t really care about this issue. It’s about protecting the integrity of traditional community football. When a player gets taken from the WAFL it affects all levels of footy as we have to try to replace the player from amateur or country ranks, which in turn has a detrimental flow-down effect.

Swan Districts football manager Phil Smart

I know when we were looking at this 12-18 months ago, I know ourselves and I think Port Adelaide as well voted against it. Obviously, we didn’t want to have that impact on the SANFL. But the AFL put those rules in place, so we can’t be disadvantaged.

Adelaide general manager list management and strategy Justin Reid

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