How the drafting environment will change
Last year, our first pick in the NAB AFL Draft was No.12 (Lucas Cook). As we plan and continue to progress as a team, we expect to be further out in the draft order.
That has implications for the methodology in the type of players we target, and the groups of players we’ll be looking at. As always, character and talent are prime considerations.
The AFL drafting and trading landscape has, and will continue to change significantly; 2 start up teams and the introduction of Free Agency and the corresponding rule changes will witness new and unique scenarios.
We’ve already seen evidence of the last two years of clubs looking at more mature-age players, because two new teams is around 100 new players in the AFL.
That means that the talent base is spread and the second-tier markets come under the microscope even more.
It will be interesting to see the relative success of the mature-age players who come into the AFL.
We’ve already seen - and there has been a lot of publicity about - Michael Barlow (Fremantle) and James Podsiadly (Geelong Cats). And there have been more drafted this year.
For example, Adelaide has drafted Ian Callinan as a mature-age rookie. He is a 28 year-old who has figured prominently in second-tier competitions for 10 seasons. He has played in Tasmania, the VFL and SANFL.
Carlton recruited 26-year-old Nicholas Duigan in last year’s NAB AFL Draft. He had been consistent senior Player for Norwood in the SANFL.
If those picks prove to be fruitful, then there will be an expectation that clubs will further look to those leagues.
At the same time, there has been a change in the second-tier market, with the introduction of the Foxtel Cup. I would expect the standard will improve, and that will give clubs more confidence in calling out players from the AFLQ, Tasmanian or Sydney Leagues.
Why? Because we’ll see players pitted against each other in better company.
We think we’ve got the nucleus of players who will be around the Club for a long time.
But we’ll probably have fewer picks in the coming years, as opposed to the last few seasons - in terms of the NAB AFL Draft.
However, we’ll always be fairly robust in our rookie selections. And that’s where we can have a look at some of the players outside of the regulation pathway.
That’s where you can find your ‘outside the square’ players.
The NAB AFL Draft will generally be players who have come through the NAB Cup.
But when you get to the rookie draft, you look at role players and those who have missed out on the normal system for whatever reason.
There might be an expectation that the more mature players have got more tools (physically and mentally) to be able to play AFL matches quicker.
Also, there will be scenarios - as was the case with Robbie Campbell this year - where players will be targeted for their physical attributes and readiness to play specific roles in the AFL.
We’ve got a young list, and we’ll continue to put games into them. And one of our objectives is to get them to play as many games together as they can.
In 2011, some Players will emerge quickly to stamp a place in our team, while others will find increased competition for a spot. It would be an interesting exercise for our supporters to select their best 22 now and revisit it at the mid point and end of the season - so much can occur when you have a developing list.
The really interesting curve ball is the substitute rule.
That will be a real change this year, and something we’ll monitor as the drafting environment continues to change.
Last year, our first pick in the NAB AFL Draft was No.12 (Lucas Cook). As we plan and continue to progress as a team, we expect to be further out in the draft order.
That has implications for the methodology in the type of players we target, and the groups of players we’ll be looking at. As always, character and talent are prime considerations.
The AFL drafting and trading landscape has, and will continue to change significantly; 2 start up teams and the introduction of Free Agency and the corresponding rule changes will witness new and unique scenarios.
We’ve already seen evidence of the last two years of clubs looking at more mature-age players, because two new teams is around 100 new players in the AFL.
That means that the talent base is spread and the second-tier markets come under the microscope even more.
It will be interesting to see the relative success of the mature-age players who come into the AFL.
We’ve already seen - and there has been a lot of publicity about - Michael Barlow (Fremantle) and James Podsiadly (Geelong Cats). And there have been more drafted this year.
For example, Adelaide has drafted Ian Callinan as a mature-age rookie. He is a 28 year-old who has figured prominently in second-tier competitions for 10 seasons. He has played in Tasmania, the VFL and SANFL.
Carlton recruited 26-year-old Nicholas Duigan in last year’s NAB AFL Draft. He had been consistent senior Player for Norwood in the SANFL.
If those picks prove to be fruitful, then there will be an expectation that clubs will further look to those leagues.
At the same time, there has been a change in the second-tier market, with the introduction of the Foxtel Cup. I would expect the standard will improve, and that will give clubs more confidence in calling out players from the AFLQ, Tasmanian or Sydney Leagues.
Why? Because we’ll see players pitted against each other in better company.
We think we’ve got the nucleus of players who will be around the Club for a long time.
But we’ll probably have fewer picks in the coming years, as opposed to the last few seasons - in terms of the NAB AFL Draft.
However, we’ll always be fairly robust in our rookie selections. And that’s where we can have a look at some of the players outside of the regulation pathway.
That’s where you can find your ‘outside the square’ players.
The NAB AFL Draft will generally be players who have come through the NAB Cup.
But when you get to the rookie draft, you look at role players and those who have missed out on the normal system for whatever reason.
There might be an expectation that the more mature players have got more tools (physically and mentally) to be able to play AFL matches quicker.
Also, there will be scenarios - as was the case with Robbie Campbell this year - where players will be targeted for their physical attributes and readiness to play specific roles in the AFL.
We’ve got a young list, and we’ll continue to put games into them. And one of our objectives is to get them to play as many games together as they can.
In 2011, some Players will emerge quickly to stamp a place in our team, while others will find increased competition for a spot. It would be an interesting exercise for our supporters to select their best 22 now and revisit it at the mid point and end of the season - so much can occur when you have a developing list.
The really interesting curve ball is the substitute rule.
That will be a real change this year, and something we’ll monitor as the drafting environment continues to change.
