In terms of having an unrestricted age for rookie lists, it’s a welcomed move and a great initiative. But in terms of timing, it’s a little difficult.
This is because clubs are well down the track of planning for 2011 lists.
Clubs now have to reassess how many mature-age rookies they want, since there were previous restrictions.
There are now quite a few clubs, which could change their thinking on certain players on their list.
It actually makes for interesting planning in terms of list management and in regards to how recruiters will view certain players. It might also open up some sections of the market.
Some players may come into the picture, when they previously thought they may not get an opportunity.
In terms of being able to leave one spot open on the rookie list, after the NAB Cup grand final and in the lead-up to the season, it now provides more flexibility to clubs.
Sometimes when you get to the NAB Cup, clubs might be in a situation where it has two long-term injuries on its list. This new rule now gives you flexibility to bolster up a certain area.
Probably the most documented case this year was with Hawthorn.
Hawthorn had been struck by injury to its ruckmen. If this rule was in place, it may have been able to source another ruckman to help its stocks.
A ruckman would be a classic scenario, because it’s such a specific position. And often clubs will have a developing ruckman on its list not ready to play in the AFL.
It also gives clubs a great opportunity to trial three players.
Those three players will gain a lot out of the experience. And when you times that by 17, there’s potentially 51 players, who will be getting AFL training experience.
It gives them a great opportunity to claim a place on an AFL list.
That almost provides another tier on AFL lists - a main list, rookie list and somewhat of an extended rookie list.
These days, the rookie list is almost part of the main list, because most rookies get a greater opportunity to play via long-term injuries and in-season retirements.
There is also a lot more open-mindedness about rookies succeeding at the top level in today’s environment.
It provides strong incentives for players, with state leagues also set to benefit.
All of a sudden, players aged 22 years old or more will think ‘hang on, I might be able to pinch a spot on an AFL list for a few years’. It gives them a chance to fulfill their AFL dreams.
This year, we’ve had the well-documented and successful cases of Michael Barlow and James Podsiadly playing at the highest level via the rookie list.
Melbourne has also seen mature-age players Rohan Bail (NAB AFL Draft), Liam Jurrah (NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft), Austin Wonaemirri(NAB AFL rookie draft) and Aaron Davey (NAB AFL Rookie Draft) come through the various drafting systems in recent years.
The reason why Podsiadly has worked this year is because clubs were allowed to have two mature-age players on its rookie list this year. This open age eligibility will only produce more Podsiadly-like stories.
Geelong was also in a situation where it needed to top up its tall forwards. This rule change has allowed greater opportunities for clubs to invest in mature-age players with less risk on their list.
Diminished list spots in the 1990s and 2000s meant clubs had to use their picks wisely. And while you’re always speculating on players - because you never know exactly how good they’ll be - the rules now allow for some speculative picks.
Given Melbourne has drafted a lot of young talent in the past two years it now gives us the opportunity to look at specific player types.
It also gives us a chance to look at more mature-age players, who might be able to fill a spot on our list.
