AFL Draft: Rival clubs call for academy draft tweaking after 2023’s ‘compromised’ draft

The compromised 2023 draft has caused a stir among plenty of clubs, but how would they do it differently, and what is the main rule the Tigers want changed?

Richmond believes the AFL only has to tighten one obscure draft rule – rather than revamping the entire system – to douse the raging northern academies furore, as Victorian clubs continue to identify what they say are unfair advantages for Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions.

It’s understood northern clubs spend upwards of $1.7 million annually on their academies, which begin at under-12s, and they are furious at the backlash to the Suns being allowed to match bids for four academy guns in the first round of the national draft.

Port Adelaide read the room early and strategically traded most of its picks for established players last month because it believed this year’s draft only had 6-8 elite players and was heavily compromised.

A little-known rule states that the Suns can only match one first-round bid for an academy prospect if they finished in the top four, two if they finished in the second half of the eight and as many as they wish if they miss finals, which they have in all 13 seasons.

The Suns were the big winners of the draft thanks to their academy. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Tigers recruiter Matt Clarke said it was too generous given they were in contention for September until deep in the season.

“Using the old pub test, West Coast have finished last and got pick No. 1 and 30, and Gold Coast have finished a number of spots above them and they’ve got four first-round picks effectively,” Clarke told this masthead.

“So it doesn’t make a lot of sense if you look at it like that.

“There needs to be a little bit of tweaking – but not a lot, I don’t think.

“Maybe if they just finished outside the finals, like they did, then they don’t get access to all four.”

Amongst the angst there is widespread support for the investment in academies and the hard work those clubs have put in to help grow the talent pool.

Adelaide recruiter Hamish Ogilvie is a huge fan of what the Suns have done for women’s football in Queensland, and knows his club and Port Adelaide need to collaborate to improve South Australia’s dimming talent pathway.

Clarke said: “We’ve always understood that the northern academies needed some help, and what they’ve done for the talent pool is exceptional.

“It wasn’t that long ago when you’d never go and watch Queensland or New South Wales play, because they were so far off it.

“The academies have been super for the talent pool and maybe there needs to be a slight adjustment here and there for access to those sorts of guys.”

Adelaide Crows recruiter Hamish Ogilvie.

On Saturday two fresh concerns were raised privately during a scan of clubs.

One pointed out that the Suns’ shrewd strategy to feverishly trade picks in and out had unlocked far more than the points tally required to match the bids.

Not only did those moves allow them to draft all four players, it also delivered them precious future picks – so this year’s academy haul will actually set up two bumper drafts.

Based on this year’s ladder, the Suns hold picks No. 4, 10 and 20, whereas the Eagles again only hold the one selection.

The other benefit pointed out was the surety with which they can plan.

One club suspected that the Lions drafted Victorian key forwards Logan Morris and Luke Lloyd because they knew exactly who they would be picking next year – midfielders Levi Ashcroft (father-son) and Sam Marshall (academy) and ruckman Tom Gillett.

The Suns’ draft strategy did invite clubs, including Western Bulldogs (Ryley Sanders), into the pointy end of the draft and senior officials are said to be stunned at last week’s fury.

They cannot understand how their club has constantly been criticised for being crippled by the go-home factor and now they are in the gun for developing homegrown talent that should stay forever.

Originally published as AFL Draft: Rival clubs call for academy draft tweaking after 2023’s ‘compromised’ draft