Glenelg coach Mark Stone remains divided on the midseason AFL draft

Glenelg coach Mark Stone has admitted the upcoming AFL midseason draft will have a big effect on the SANFL season.

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Glenelg coach Mark Stone remains divided on the upcoming AFL midseason draft.

Stone, who has Glenelg at the top of the SANFL table with five wins, one loss and draw said the prospect of losing key recruits to the AFL system would have big effect on the competition.

“I’m sort of a bit split,’’ Stone said on SEN radio.

“From a players point of view I think it’s a great opportunity for guys to get in to the AFL system.

“For a guy like Lachlan Hosie it could fulfil his lifelong dream. For a guy like Corey Gregson it’s a chance to get another crack at it. He was delisted from the system based on foot injuries and seems to have overcome those now,’’ he said.

But Stone added it would have a lasting effect on clubs who work hard to lure players form interstate to the SANFL:

Lachlan Hosie celebrates a goal. Pictutre: Mark Brake/AAP

“From a club point of view it can be quite detrimental in a number of areas,’’ Stone added.

“You’re on field performance and season can be severely effected.

“Off field, how much financial input you’ve had to put to get those players here (to Adelaide) or get them up and going.

“You’ve got to find some guys employment, so those employers are now going to have to find another employ and retrain and that affects you contacts around the club

“It can be quite devastating in that regard,’’ he added.

Stone said despite contact from recruiters he remains uncertain if the league leaders would lose anyone on Monday.

“People are talking about the guys that have done the medicals, but there other people that have nominated that no one is talking about,’’ Stone said.

“I’ve had a couple of calls from recruiters, just asking questions about various players, but no one has given me any indication of yes or no they’re going to take someone

“We’re all in the dark,’’ he said.