Norwood chief executive James Fantasia wants the AFL to reconsider its draft system
Norwood has lost a young player to the AFL in the pre-season draft and the club is far from happy with the system. Redlegs boss James Fantasia believes there is a better system.
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Norwood chief executive James Fantasia has again called for the AFL to scrap the pre-season supplemental and mid-season drafts and introduce mid-season trading.
In the wake of losing young ruckman Henry Crauford to Essendon on Wednesday, Fantasia claimed the draft system was disrespectful to the feeder competitions.
While Fantasia said the Redlegs were incredibly delighted for Crauford, he said the club was vehemently against the draft rules introduced by the AFL last year.
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“We are delighted when any player gets drafted, that is part of our charter,” he said. “But the draft rules are disrespectful to clubs and the feeder competitions.
“The upside for the AFL clubs is minuscule compared to the damage it does to the feeder competition.
“We have enormous respect for the AFL and AFL system, but not under these very interruptive rules. It can be devastating for clubs and impact on finals campaigns.”
Fantasia noted South Adelaide had lost specialist personal in all three intakes under the new system and that completely upsets the Panthers’ plans.
He said it also had a knock on impact with memberships and sponsorship and he was unsure if the AFL considered the “full picture”.
Increasing player numbers in November was an option the AFL should consider, according to Fantasia, and that would allow clubs to focus on their own planning.
“The AFL is determined to have additional players come into its system,” Fantasia said. “Just increase the lists and take responsibility for educating the players, rather than picking them midstream.
“Can they have a better system? I’d be happy for a mid-season trading period, that would be less disruptive and beneficial to the back listed players who can resurrect a career much quicker.”
The Panthers lost Keegan Brooksby and Hayden McLean in the 2019 supplemental draft and Michael Knoll mid-season. Brooksby was delisted by West Coast at the end of last season, only to be picked up by Hawthorn last week.