AFL draft 2015: It was a long night but AFL says new format will be a winner
THE AFL has backed Tuesday’s national draft as a winning format despite criticism it was slow, confusing and boring. Tell us what you thought
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THE AFL has backed Tuesday’s national draft as a winning format despite criticism it was slow, confusing and boring.
The opening 26 selections took an hour to be announced as the AFL chose a more detailed NFL-style coverage for the 30th national draft.
A group of hecklers in the crowd booed many selections and a technical bungle saw Dogs coach Luke Beveridge confused about his selection of Josh Dunkley.
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But AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the new draft presentation was a work in progress after many years of a similar format.
The draft dragged on for two hours and 20 minutes but he said every player deserved their time in the spotlight.
“It’s another step upwards. Thirty years into a concept you would rank it as a pretty successful event and something to build on,’’ he said.
“Give every kid a little bit of respect. Give him his 30 seconds. If you rush it and rush it, that kid might be the Simon Black or Adam Goodes of the next generation.
“And then they don’t get their moment. The aim was to make sure every kid got a moment or two of respect for their most important football moment so far.”
Melbourne coach Paul Roos said he had no complaints with the format despite its teething problems.
“It was a bit unusual sitting in the back room and not having a telly or seeing what was going on, but regardless for us the night is about the talent we get through the door.”
The expectation is next year’s draft is likely to again be in Adelaide after a long run of drafts on the Gold Coast.
Sheehan said the crowd interaction added to the night, with NFL crowds notoriously boisterous at that code’s yearly event.
“I didn’t mind the calling from up the back and the Port supporters and Adelaide supporters getting into it,” he said.
“Gill (McLachlan) came out and they gave him a Roger Goodell NFL-style welcome (with boos) but it was good-natured.
“It’s all fun and you get close to your supporters and allow them to have a say.”
In the NFL players are coming from college football with years of television exposure so fans have real insight into their abilities.
That draft is a three-day extravaganza that also includes live trades of picks within the draft.
There have been calls for the TAC Cup competition to be televised which would add to the AFL draft spectacle given earlier exposure to the young talent.
“Some of the elements of the bidding system worked well,” Sheahan said.
“There were surprises and unpredictability. It made it exciting for people in the business to say no one could ‘phantom draft’ this.”
Originally published as AFL draft 2015: It was a long night but AFL says new format will be a winner
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