I think alot will agree the current list structure of teams with rookie spots and main list spots is not the ideal way to do it.
As it stands there are 38 Main list spots, and up to 6 Rookies, which I think could be changed.
The reasons for looking at this is threefold.
1. The possibility that the AFL will bring in a reserves competition, in which case all teams will require additional list spots.
2. To clean up the situation to where clubs have to delist players in contract, to then relist then again in the rookie draft.
3. I think it can be changed to allow more talent to come through the doors of clubs.
So putting the possibility of a reserves competition for now, I would look at changing the main list from 38 spots to 48 spots. The additional 10 spots obviously don't have to be used, but it gives clubs some room to keep young talent, or to leave an injured player in the list a bit longer to get them back.on the ground. When list spots are tight, a player who might have had an interrupted season with injury might find.himself delisted, when otherwise the club would have been happy to keep him another year.
I also think that with having a bigger list size, it will allow some more kids to be drafted and given a chance to make it. On top of that, it gives clubs the ability to maybe carry another development ruck for instance.
Now I'm sure some will say that it's just diluting the talent pool, which is silly because the best players on each team play in the first 22, so having a couple more younger kids on a list isn't going to effect that.
I'm a believer that we do miss out on some talent by the size of the list, and I have no doubt that if another 30 players were added to the list, another 5 or 6 would kick on. As much as anything, it's a move for more kids getting exposure and development.
Now, in addition to that, there can be 3 development spots for where Cat B rookies can be added from other sports like we currently do.
One of the other reasons for increased list spots is to do away with the mid season draft, which is really a disrespectful thing for the state league teams which have built their own lists up, to then have their best players taken halfway through their season by AFL clubs.
The players also find themselves having to possibly move interstate halfway through their season, and as all state league players have full time jobs, it just creates situations which should be avoided.
The other benefit is that with more young players getting into the AFL system, if they don't make it, they go back to the state leagues better players, with better training habits than they otherwise would have. It should improve the standard of the teams there as well.
What would others put forward as a possible change up?
As it stands there are 38 Main list spots, and up to 6 Rookies, which I think could be changed.
The reasons for looking at this is threefold.
1. The possibility that the AFL will bring in a reserves competition, in which case all teams will require additional list spots.
2. To clean up the situation to where clubs have to delist players in contract, to then relist then again in the rookie draft.
3. I think it can be changed to allow more talent to come through the doors of clubs.
So putting the possibility of a reserves competition for now, I would look at changing the main list from 38 spots to 48 spots. The additional 10 spots obviously don't have to be used, but it gives clubs some room to keep young talent, or to leave an injured player in the list a bit longer to get them back.on the ground. When list spots are tight, a player who might have had an interrupted season with injury might find.himself delisted, when otherwise the club would have been happy to keep him another year.
I also think that with having a bigger list size, it will allow some more kids to be drafted and given a chance to make it. On top of that, it gives clubs the ability to maybe carry another development ruck for instance.
Now I'm sure some will say that it's just diluting the talent pool, which is silly because the best players on each team play in the first 22, so having a couple more younger kids on a list isn't going to effect that.
I'm a believer that we do miss out on some talent by the size of the list, and I have no doubt that if another 30 players were added to the list, another 5 or 6 would kick on. As much as anything, it's a move for more kids getting exposure and development.
Now, in addition to that, there can be 3 development spots for where Cat B rookies can be added from other sports like we currently do.
One of the other reasons for increased list spots is to do away with the mid season draft, which is really a disrespectful thing for the state league teams which have built their own lists up, to then have their best players taken halfway through their season by AFL clubs.
The players also find themselves having to possibly move interstate halfway through their season, and as all state league players have full time jobs, it just creates situations which should be avoided.
The other benefit is that with more young players getting into the AFL system, if they don't make it, they go back to the state leagues better players, with better training habits than they otherwise would have. It should improve the standard of the teams there as well.
What would others put forward as a possible change up?
