AFL Draft 2015: Draft format draws criticism from footy fans for being too slow, confusing

THE revamped format of the AFL’s national draft drew criticism last night as fans complained this is the “longest draft ever”. See the reaction and have your say

AFL DRAFT

THE REVAMPED format of the AFL’s national draft was quick to draw criticism on Tuesday night, with fans complaining of sound and technical issues but, most of all, the event being the “longest draft ever”.

The new format saw clubs select players via a computer system, with coaches then making their way to the stage to announce the player selected.

Fans watching the draft on Fox Footy were quick to criticise the time the new format wasted as the opening 26 selections in the draft took over an hour.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan appeared confused as he appeared on stage early in the second-round to announce an Essendon player.

But proceedings really hit a roadblock when the computer system appeared to experience technical difficulties as the Western Bulldogs lodged a bid for Sydney Swans father-son prospect Josh Dunkley.

Bizarre situation in Adelaide, main room with most media, kids + public now in silence. Following #AFLDraft on twitter

— Al Paton (@al_superfooty) November 24, 2015

Just reminded that coaches appear to read out their club's first pick. Mystifying to most people in the room. #AFLDraft

— Al Paton (@al_superfooty) November 24, 2015

As the Swans failed to match the bid, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge announced Dunkley’s selection on stage only to leave the podium confused.

A number of minutes went by before another selection was made as the families of draft prospects, media and fans inside the Adelaide Convention Centre sat in awkward silence.

The new Academy bidding system was also causing confusion as bids for Academy prospected were lodged and then matched by the Swans, Giants and Lions.

AFL players and fans took to Twitter to express their displeasure at how the night was unfolding.

Jeeeez what is going on...

— Brayden Maynard (@brayden_maynard) November 24, 2015

More like, have to feel for everyone at home watching this train wreck of a live broadcast #AFLDraft

— Nick Price (@nick_price_17) November 24, 2015

Look, if I wanted to see balding, middle-aged white guys staring at a computer screen, I'd have just taken a selfie. #AFLDraft

— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 24, 2015

The AFL have overcomplicated this in a massive way. Painful to watch. #AFLDraft

— Justin McLean (@justindmclean) November 24, 2015

What a horrible, time consuming new system the #AFLDraft is! Pick 30 will be at midnight. #afl

— Tom Lyndon (@tommydoak1) November 24, 2015

Need to have an updated draft order on the side of the screen or something. No one knows when their clubs next pick is #AFLDraft

— Dan Di Nardo (@ddinardo17) November 24, 2015

Yay. No more coaches wasting time walking to and from a podium. Let's get this baby rolling. #AFLDraft

— Robert Griffin (@RLGriffinGWS) November 24, 2015

This draft is going at snail pace, speed it up next year afl! #AFLDraft

— Anthony Stoitsis (@astoitsis) November 24, 2015

#AFLDraft is taking way way too long. 1 hour for 23 picks. Please ...

— Rory Sackville (@sackers1) November 24, 2015

This #AFLDraft is pathetic. How about actually selecting players and not wasting my time? That'd be great 👌 #hopeless

— Declan Byrne (@_DeclanByrne) November 24, 2015

Such a professional setup #AFLDraft

— Paul Munro (@PD_Munners) November 24, 2015

I have no idea what's going on. #AFLDraft

— tinselmaree✨ (@oldsleepyowls) November 24, 2015

just quietly, any chance of speeding this up - will be still going by the time the @TODAYshow show starts 🐌🐌🐌🐢🐢🐢 #AFLDraft

— Steve Guarnaccia (@SGuarnaccia23) November 24, 2015

What a shamozzle buy whoever produced the @afl draft. #afldraft

— Nick Toohey (@Donsandags) November 24, 2015

Screw this. I'm going to watch #jessicajones & follow #afldraft on Twitter. Odds on to finish season 1 before draft finishes

— bme55y (@bme55y) November 24, 2015

#AFLDraft running like a local footy club chook raffle on a Thursday night.

— Shane Sullivan (@ShaneSullivan32) November 24, 2015

It took some doing. But the AFL has somehow managed to make something that was already pretty boring mind numbingly dull. #AFLDraft

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) November 24, 2015