Carlton coach Michael Voss fears a looming AFL rule change over drafting father-sons and Academy players could be too sudden, and hurt his club in particular.
The eyebrows of clubs were raised over the weekend, when the AFL’s general manager Laura Kane explained that the league is not closed off to the idea of tinkering rules within the draft and its points system.
Speaking on SEN last Saturday, Kane explained that their verdict on the topic will be finalised in the coming months.
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“We’ll make sure we get through the player movement outcomes, including father-son, in the next couple of months,” Kane said.
“It might (impact this year’s draft) … The clubs have been on notice; we’ve been talking about this for 12 months.
“(The draft points system) could (change).”
Joining Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night, Voss and Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir were asked if clubs were “on notice” around the possibility the draft points bidding system could change for this year’s draft.
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“I think the ‘on notice’ part versus the specifics of the change. I think we’re all, in theory, behind the change that needs to happen,” Voss explained.
“The timing of it though is somewhat confusing because the expediency of it, to be able to get it in this year when the planning has already been done over 12 months – and even two years in many instances – is somewhat confusing.
“I think the anticipation was that while the notice was there, we’d get further clarity on what it actually looked like and that it might actually transpire in the coming years, which I think everyone in the industry was waiting for and anticipating – and somehow that has actually changed and it’s become more relevant to now.
“To me it’s quite confusing, but it’s quite simple for us in that we should be looking down the road on this, we shouldn’t be making this decision four months out from decisions that were made 12 months ago or even two years.”
“There’s many a club involved in this more than just us, but obviously we’ve got some prominent names there for us that we’d like to be able to respect and give at least some guidance and assurances around those involved in our football club.”
The Blues arguably have more at stake than most clubs this year when it comes to father-son picks, with not one – but two – of Carlton great Scott Camporeale’s sons available in this year’s draft.
Subsequently, the once-assumed Blues brothers may no longer be as easily acquired with a tinker to the points system that under the current guidelines, would allow Carlton to select Ben and Lucas Camporeale.
Asked how significant it would be for the points price to increase for this year’s draft, Voss elaborated broadly on their short-term future at the draft table.
“It’s significant – if we look at decisions that were made 12 months ago, there’s some decisions that we’d make differently; we’d position ourselves in this draft very differently to how we have,” he said.
“Right now, we’re really comfortable with the points system and where we’re at and (if) we have enough points to fulfil that and execute that strategy – but, if the proposed changes are made, then we fall somewhat well short – so we have to put the thinking caps on and reposition ourselves and what it actually looks like … Absolutely you shouldn’t be able to do that.”
Herald Sun journalist Mark Robinson chimed in with his take on the debate, encouraging clubs to voice their concerns on the idea that’s been put forward.
“There should be a vote of no confidence from the clubs directed to the AFL Commission saying: ‘We’re not just your play things because you want to fix it, we’re all in this together – don’t throw this into our system.’ It’s June, when are you going to announce it? July? No way.”
Voss added that he’s “surprised” the discussions have emerged now, opposed to earlier in the year.
“I guess there’ll be some conversations over the coming weeks, we’ll obviously get some more clarity around that – but our position will be emphatic.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he empathises with Carlton, but overall thinks the move would be positive for the competition; if executed at the right time.
“I think holistically it’s a good idea – I think clubs should have to pay the right price for high-end talent,” Longmuir said.
“When it comes in, I haven’t really given it a lot of thought – but I understand Vossy’s concerns.”