First access to mature-aged recruits from state leagues, or a conditional priority pick that must be traded, are scenarios being discussed at AFL House to help Gold Coast, Carlton and potentially even St Kilda.
Carlton, Gold Coast and St Kilda are likely to apply for “special assistance” under rule 19 early next month, but a priority pick in its purest form might not be given by the AFL Commission.
Struggling AFL clubs are in need of help.
The AFL executive is likely to recommend that the struggling clubs – which may or may not include St Kilda – be granted first access to state league players, so that the likes of Geelong sensation Tim Kelly end up at bottom clubs rather than premiership contenders. Under this proposal, which is considered likely, the bottom teams would be able to sign two players each from the state leagues.
In what would likely be a separate hand-out, the AFL executive is considering recommending priority picks to Carlton and the Suns, with consideration given to mid-first-round choices – likely to be picks 12 and 13 – after each non-finalist has had a selection. AFL football chief Steve Hocking said on the weekend the AFL had not ruled out the contentious early priority picks, which would potentially give the Blues and Suns the first five picks in the national draft (including a pick for Tom Lynch), though this appears less likely than later choices.
But the AFL also is contemplating whether these priority picks must be traded for mature players – a move that would require that the clubs have room in their salary cap.
A number of state league players will be considered if the AFL approves special access to the state league talent. Former Fremantle defender and Werribee star Sam Collins is one player who would immediately be considered in these circumstances, as would his teammate Josh Corbett, Williamstown’s 2016 Liston Trophy winner Michael Gibbons, Essendon VFL’s Nick Hind, Collingwood VFL defender Marty Hore and Sturt forward Shane McAdam.
Rule 19 of the AFL handbook states that at the end of each home-and-away season, “the commission may determine in its absolute discretion that a club is entitled to one or more priority selections at the next occurring national draft selection meeting.”
There is a belief inside AFL House that Carlton and Gold Coast have had significant access to elite young talent, without improving quickly enough.
Indeed, the Blues have 20 first-round draft picks on their list, and boast quality youngsters such as Charlie Curnow, Paddy Dow, Harry McKay and Caleb Marchbank.
It was also only two years ago that Gold Coast had four selections inside the top 10 of the 2016 draft, while young guns like Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy have left for stronger Victorian teams.
The reason for the AFL’s rethink on priority picks – and for the state league access option – is multi-faceted.
First, it assists struggling young teams in the short term, rather than simply handing them another elite teenager.
Second, it placates the other clubs in the competition by limiting any compromise to the draft. There is more acceptance from rival clubs of the Suns' structural issues as a northern club in a small market than of Carlton's position, which is seen as more self-inflicted.
St Kilda remain the intriguing club when it comes to “special assistance”. Although the Saints won 11 games in 2017 and missed out on finals football by just one game, senior figures at the AFL believe St Kilda’s list is worse than Carlton's.
And given the disastrous year that Alan Richardson’s side has had, it would be remiss of the Saints to not at least inquire.
Clubs also believe the process of seeking special assistance from the AFL needs clarifying.
While nothing in the rules state that a club must put out their hand, it’s widely accepted at both AFL and club level that clubs must apply, rather than be given, extra help.
Decisions will be made in commission meeting of grand final week.
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