Tony Shaw says ‘boring’ AFL Draft needs to be fixed as league tinkers with new format
It was the first year for live trading of draft picks and the first time a national draft spanned two days. But did it work? One AFL legend says the event needs fixing. HAVE YOUR SAY
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The AFL Draft is over. Finally.
At least that would be the prevailing view, if one had an eye on social media during Thursday’s opening night.
This year’s national draft provided firsts on a couple of fronts. Firstly, it was spread over two days at Marvel Stadium. As notably, it enabled AFL clubs to trade selections during the event.
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But the draft drew its share of criticism, most recently from Collingwood great Tony Shaw, who called on officials to “fix” the event.
“It is the most boring thing of all time. If you’ve planned for the whole year, you would know what you’re going to do next,” Shaw told Macquarie Sports Radio on Monday.
“To watch it, it’s like pulling teeth out.
“For it to go over two days, I just think it’s too long and it’s not fair on these youngsters to sit there and wait. It’s on a par with boredom of the AFL Grand Final entertainment and with the Brownlow.”
Here were the main talking points following the draft:
THE LONG FIRST ROUND
For some footy fans the first-round coverage was a chance to see — and meet — the next wave of elite talent set to enter the system. For others, the night was a drawn-out snorefest, filled with names and faces not yet known by the most of the game’s faithful.
Carlton got the ball rolling about 7.10pm on Thursday, announcing what seemingly everyone knew heading into the night.
By the time the GWS Giants had selected Xavier O’Halloran with the 22nd and final pick of the first round, more than two hours had ticked by.
Too long? That will likely be thrashed out by the League and TV execs in the wash-up.
By the time this draft is complete Sam Walsh will be a free agent. #AFLdraft
— Xavier Ellis (@XaviEllis18) November 23, 2018
The lengthy evening was on the cards from early on, when fans tuning into Fox Footy’s coverage saw the Blues put ‘on the clock’ with a five-minute countdown.
One could assume Carlton had made up its mind on their No.1 pick in the months leading up to the draft. Despite the Blues knowing who they wanted, the clock wound down until the ‘pick is in’ sign flashed on to screens, signalling AFL chief Gillon McLachlan’s arrival to announce each club’s selection.
Last nights AFL Draft of 20 odd picks was a perfect exercise in time wasting , an interesting 1 hour was turned into a 3 hour snoozefest , us 100 K who watched must need to get a life !
— Leigh Matthews (@LeighRMatthews) November 23, 2018
TEETHING ISSUES
The new format, which had encountered an issue in pre-draft rehearsals, meant not everyone was entirely sure how the night would unfold.
As GWS made its play for Sydney Swans academy star Nick Blakey, cameras focused on McLachlan as he wandered on to stage — only for the league boss to pause before wandering back off stage.
On Friday it was AFL footy manager Steven Hocking’s turn to read out selections (and later AFL game development manager Andrew Dillon). The camera switched to Hocking for one of the first selections of the day, but he appeared to not have the player’s name in front of him and told the production crew of the issue.
Expect those kinks to be ironed out in coming years, but one couldn’t help think club officials announcing the picks might be a safer, more attractive option for viewers.
Gil with the Abe Simpson on the Blakey bid #AFLDraft pic.twitter.com/0tmYcdySBM
— Marcus Uhe (@MarcusUhe) November 22, 2018
Poor old Gil walking backstage and back out for every single pick. Where is George Constanza to provide a chair? #AFLdraft pic.twitter.com/0EQpbRisSz
— Liam Sheedy (@Sheeds1984) November 22, 2018
LIVE TRADING — WAS IT A SUCCESS?
Some clubs rolled the dice during the two-day event, thinking they could seize an opportunity to either snare a player or improve their draft position.
But while club officials were aware of the machinations of live trading, the surprises during the event meant the average footy fan needed time to digest what had just occurred. Sometimes, as was the case with the Swans’ smart play around the Nick Blakey selection, those moves might not immediately be evident.
The first trade of this year’s draft came after pick 7, when West Coast sent its 2019 third-round pick to Sydney Swans for Pick 26
When asked if he could explain the move, David King spoke for most: “No, no I can’t”.
Only later, after Sydney matched the Giants’ bid for Blakey, did another pick swap between the two clubs shed light on the Swans’ grander plan.
Sydney a step ahead of the game. Traded out pick No.26, matched the bid for Nick Blakey, traded in No.24.
— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) November 22, 2018
Blakey through the door and they still have a pick in the 20s. As shrewd as it is boring. Live trading 💤 tonight.
THE PLAYERS AND AFL CLUBS
Fox Footy did a great job introducing the junior stars and giving viewers a chance to get to know them.
The players successful in being picked on night one enjoyed their share of airtime, the increased focus on the first round enabling Fox Footy to spend significant time talking to each player.
But spare a thought for the likes of WA speedster Ian Hill, flown to Melbourne for the event only to sit at Marvel Stadium as mates were selected and he was bypassed. He was among the first selections during Friday’s second round, taken with pick 24 by GWS.
AFL clubs have previously been required to roll through all their selections in one condensed event. The new format gave clubs — especially those with multiple picks in the first round — time to go away and sleep on things, digest who was still remaining and recharge ahead of further selections and possible trades.