SANFL clubs oppose mid-season draft and potential loss of key players
THE SANFL clubs fear the loss of key players — and have concerns for their welfare — when an AFL mid-season draft is introduced next year. See what the club CEOs are saying.
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THE SANFL clubs are unified in their concerns of an AFL mid-season draft being introduced next year.
All eight traditional state league clubs have spoken against the decision by the AFL Commission, which threatens to rob them of key players midway through the season.
Premiership winning North Adelaide chief executive Greg Edwards said the draft would be unsettling for the players, clubs and supporters.
The SANFL has also questioned the need for the draft, saying it will create uncertainty and confusion for clubs and players.
Greg Edwards (North Adelaide)
“A mid-season draft isn’t taking into account two things. Firstly, the SANFL players could have a job, be in a relationship, or at university, and that makes it hard mid-season. It would be hard to go to your boss and try and get your job back if you are dropped off the list at the end of year. There has to be serious thought for the welfare of the players. Secondly, the SANFL clubs are not in a position to be able to, from a quality point of view, lose two players mid season and that could be the difference between coming third or eighth. It is unsettling for the team and teammates. It is a move I certainly would not support and I share our board’s view. It is unsettling for the players themselves with the uncertainty mid-season. It is also unsettling for the club and supporters, they want to see us be successful. With the draft at the end of the year, the club gets the opportunity to prepare for losing players with recruiting, as well as seeing what lads are coming through. We love the players to get the opportunity to be drafted at the end of season.”
Luke Powell (Woodville-West Torrens)
“It is not ideal for the SANFL clubs. It would be nice to have bit more of a background before it went ahead. I believe the SANFL and WAFL have put in a letter of explanation, but it is going to be disappointing to have the possibility of players taken away during the season. At the same time, we have got to be happy if a player gets the opportunity to play AFL football.”
Glenn Elliott (Glenelg)
“Like everybody else, we share people’s concerns with the matter.”
Neill Sharpe (South Adelaide)
“It can be destabilising for the football club environment. We want our players to be the best they can and play at the highest level, but in the middle of the season we are trying to win games and that is what you want everyone trying to do, not to win a spot on an AFL list mid-year. It is a really long SANFL season and players can get sidetracked, this is another speed hump.”
Sue Dewing (Sturt)
“We are not happy and note the SANFL has written to the AFL asking a range of questions. However, our director of football Chris Thredgold states it is what it is and we will learn to work around it.”
Kris Grant (Central District)
“A mid-season draft is not good for the overall game of Australian Football throughout the country. It displays from the AFL a lack of respect to other competitions.”
James Fantasia (Norwood)
“The gains for an AFL club mid-season has been proven in the past to be absolutely minimal, but the potential damage to a state league club is enormous. It is a very poor reflection of the AFL if they see the gain for them is that much better than it is an improvement for the game. The impact to the players and clubs is quite significant.”
David Grenvold (West Adelaide)
“The AFL can do what they like with their own comp and league. The question to be asked is this in the best interest of the whole football industry nationally? The AFL is getting stronger on a whole range of areas and fronts and good luck to them, but is that in the best interest of the whole football industry? Really good, strong, healthy state leagues are the best way to have a good, strong, healthy AFL without the over reaching of the AFL into those state based leagues.”