The Association Football AFL Thread 4.0

[Jatz]

- AFL Media reports the league’s current plans mean the Devils won’t be automatically handed the No.1 pick in the 2027 Draft - which would be their first - though they would still receive six of the top 13 selections.

- Like GWS, the AFL has plans to provide the Devils multiple ‘mini-draft’ selections, which would give them access to 17-year-old players who otherwise would be a year away from being drafted - but like with GWS, they would have to trade those picks away.

Other potential concessions being given to Tasmania include:

- The ability to sign one uncontracted player from each club total across two trade periods as a free agent, with those clubs being given draft compensation;

- The ability to sign Tasmanian father-son and Academy prospects;


- The ability to pre-list 2026 Tasmanian draft prospects who would play VFL in 2027 rather than at AFL level;

- Over $1 million as a sign-on bonus fund to attract players;

- Additional draft picks in the rookie and mid-season drafts plus national draft selections at the start of each round (except round one).

Tasmania’s list build rules are expected to be finalised midway through the 2025 season.

I know they'll want to avoid the GWS entry again (although the couple short year of pain were clearly worth it compared to the GC) but it's going to be a slap in the face for those supporters that feel like they're side is forever struggling to get better, while the new guys are given everything to fast track them.

 

[SM]

I know they'll want to avoid the GWS entry again (although the couple short year of pain were clearly worth it compared to the GC) but it's going to be a slap in the face for those supporters that feel like they're side is forever struggling to get better, while the new guys are given everything to fast track them.

I'm a bit confused at all these comparisons to GWS (not just you, have heard a few journos mentioning it). Maybe I'm misremembering but I thought GWS were reasonably competitive much quicker than GCS? GWS went for more mature bodies like Chad Cornes etc. which seemed to help. And GWS obviously far quicker into finals.

 

[Jatz]

I'm a bit confused at all these comparisons to GWS (not just you, have heard a few journos mentioning it). Maybe I'm misremembering but I thought GWS were reasonably competitive much quicker than GCS? GWS went for more mature bodies like Chad Cornes etc. which seemed to help. And GWS obviously far quicker into finals.

In 2012 GWS finished 2-20 with a percentage of 46.17. They were horrible.

In 2013, 1-21 with a percentage of 50.97.

I think it's forgotten just how bad those opening years were for them. It of course set them up far better in the long run but it was woeful early days.

 

[Jatz]

Mind you, GC went 3-19 in both of their first two seasons.

I think Tasmania will organically have a leg up over the GC/GWS though in any case. The Taswegians are pretty proud of where they live/come from, I suspect there'll be some decent names come and play for them.

 

[Spanish Sahara]

I know they'll want to avoid the GWS entry again (although the couple short year of pain were clearly worth it compared to the GC) but it's going to be a slap in the face for those supporters that feel like they're side is forever struggling to get better, while the new guys are given everything to fast track them.

What's the alternative though?

I would like to think people are pretty pragmatic to wanting a TAS side in the competition and what that will do to an already compromised draft. But that is probably giving people too much credit.

End of the day clubs will have known for a while TAS is coming in and will have had the opportunity to pivot strategies to avoid being down the bottom at that time.

 

[Jatz]

What's the alternative though?

I would like to think people are pretty pragmatic to wanting a TAS side in the competition and what that will do to an already compromised draft. But that is probably giving people too much credit.

End of the day clubs will have known for a while TAS is coming in and will have had the opportunity to pivot strategies to avoid being down the bottom at that time.

Isn't that the problem though? You can plan for it all you like, it's not possible for all clubs to avoid being down the bottom at the time they enter. Inevitably there are clubs that are going to get nailed on this. And yes, that's on those clubs for not navigating this better but as I said initially, I think it's a hard pill for those fans to swallow.

Tasmania clearly need assistance to get going, I just hope they don't go too far with it.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I have no issues with what they're being given and no sympathy for existing clubs as there has been 4-5 years warning this was happening. And we've already seen Richmond get ahead of it and bottom out for picks en masse now rather than 2026-28.

In reality there are ways for clubs to mitigate risk, and ways for them to benefit themselves.
Negotiate contracts for key personnel to go beyond 2028 and miss the 2 year window where Tasmania can sign any uncontracted player as a FA. Clubs can also set themselves up to bid on the mini-draft selections and acquire high end talent that way.

The most interrupted draft will be the 2027 draft where they get all these high end picks. You'd think Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Fremantle, Geelong, GWS, Hawthorn, Sydney all have enough talent on their lists to avoid a low finish in 2027.

Clubs can choose to treat the compromised 2027 a couple of ways, get out of it and use 2026 trade period to get business done this year at the expense of picks next year. Or could take advantage of that and become one of the few clubs with a decent draft hand in that 2027 draft.

Their entry may prove to be a fly in the ointment for some clubs in a few ways but ultimately not only will it not break the competition it will permanently enhance the competition. And with a 19th team create a better way to get everyone byes through out the season.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

 

[Jatz]

I have no issues with what they're being given and no sympathy for existing clubs as there has been 4-5 years warning this was happening. And we've already seen Richmond get ahead of it and bottom out for picks en masse now rather than 2026-28.

In reality there are ways for clubs to mitigate risk, and ways for them to benefit themselves.
Negotiate contracts for key personnel to go beyond 2028 and miss the 2 year window where Tasmania can sign any uncontracted player as a FA. Clubs can also set themselves up to bid on the mini-draft selections and acquire high end talent that way.

The most interrupted draft will be the 2027 draft where they get all these high end picks. You'd think Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Fremantle, Geelong, GWS, Hawthorn, Sydney all have enough talent on their lists to avoid a low finish in 2027.

Clubs can choose to treat the compromised 2027 a couple of ways, get out of it and use 2026 trade period to get business done this year at the expense of picks next year. Or could take advantage of that and become one of the few clubs with a decent draft hand in that 2027 draft.

Their entry may prove to be a fly in the ointment for some clubs in a few ways but ultimately not only will it not break the competition it will permanently enhance the competition. And with a 19th team create a better way to get everyone byes through out the season.

Watch the byes become a point of contention. The extra bye is not overly helpful if you get it 2 weeks into a season per se.

 

[chef]

The destination clubs should be fine with another team coming in, probably effect the more non fashionable ones more.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I'm not too sure that correlates.
I reckon it'll be country footballers drawn to Tasmania for the quieter lifestyle.

 

[chef]

I'm not too sure that correlates.
I reckon it'll be country footballers drawn to Tasmania for the quieter lifestyle.

It's going to be a hard sell, Tasmanians and fringe players getting a payrise may be more like it.

 

[RPCB]

ACL injuries ****ing suck.

Suns lose crucial defensive pillar to ACL injury

A knee injury against West Coast has ended Charlie Ballard's season just as it started

www.afl.com.au

 

[chef]

ACL injuries ****ing suck.

Suns lose crucial defensive pillar to ACL injury

A knee injury against West Coast has ended Charlie Ballard's season just as it started

www.afl.com.au

Do you have Art on ignore mate?

 

[RPCB]

Do you have Art on ignore mate?

No, but now that you mention it……

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Do you have Art on ignore mate?

Ignore? He's my bloody stalker lol

 

[RPCB]

Ignore? He's my bloody stalker lol

As I’ve already said, don’t flatter yourself. And don’t forget that you started the whole “Babz” thing, because you think everyone has brain damage and people don’t have the capacity to remember posts from 3 weeks earlier. That one is on you.

Funnily enough, I have literally seen you quote posts from years earlier as part of your gotcha moments. You don’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot.

 

[Magma]

archers ban upheld. Really don't understand what he was meant to do as a footballer in that instance

 

[Art Vandelay_]

That's ****ed. Should take it to the appeals board.

 

[chef]

archers ban upheld. Really don't understand what he was meant to do as a footballer in that instance

Agree, was just an unfortunate accident that happens in footy.

I guess the AFL are just trying to encourage duty of care.

 

[Bradesmaen]

It's become like the American legal system, do something stupid and get yourself hurt? Here's a billion dollars after you sue

Rugby union is the same. There is no onus on the ball carrier to protect themselves

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

I'm not too sure that correlates.
I reckon it'll be country footballers drawn to Tasmania for the quieter lifestyle.

Can see Tassie having a crack at a fair few of our players.

 

[gaskin]

The thing for me is that should that not have been a free kick to Archer for contact below the knees? The Bulldogs player goes in low and takes him out.

 

[Bradesmaen]

The thing for me is that should that not have been a free kick to Archer for contact below the knees? The Bulldogs player goes in low and takes him out.

I think the issue is he had the ball well before that and was falling not diving on the ball. Slight difference but I get your point.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Via the Midweek Tackle:

In an eyebrow-raising development, one of the high-ranking AFL officers overseeing the reported Geelong audit recently capped a six-and-a half-year stint as the Cats’ chief operating officer.