St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has called for a significant reform of the Australian Football League (AFL) drafting system, advocating for a “pure” first round that excludes father-son and academy selections. This request comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the fairness of the current drafting procedures, with Lyon expressing concerns about the inequities that exist within the system.
The St Kilda Football Club, under the leadership of president Andrew Bassat, has consistently criticized the costs clubs incur for securing talent they have first rights to, which are now influenced by the existing rules. Lyon highlighted this issue, particularly in light of comments made by Greg Swann, the newly appointed AFL football boss, who recently advised rebuilding clubs to adopt more aggressive long-term strategies.
Lyon pointed to Swann’s previous experiences with clubs like Collingwood, Carlton, and the Brisbane Lions, suggesting that teams such as the West Coast Eagles should consider the successful drafting strategies of other franchises in order to recover from their current struggles. Yet, Lyon contends that any attempt to revamp a club’s roster is inherently flawed if the drafting system remains compromised by selections from father-son arrangements and northern academies.
“We’re fighting for equity,” Lyon stated, emphasizing the need for balance in the drafting process. He proposed a straightforward solution: “Make the first round untouchable. Have that pure, the first round. Take out father-sons, take out northern academies, take out NGA. The first 18 picks, just make it pure so the talent gets spread.” Lyon believes that such changes would genuinely assess the league’s commitment to ensuring competitive play.
The implications of Lyon’s remarks extend beyond St Kilda and are likely to attract attention from AFL House, particularly as Swann, who has just started his new role, faces various challenges. He humorously noted that he had received “43 pages of stuff” that stakeholders want him to address in the competition. While Swann declared that he would not implement “radical” changes, he expressed an interest in reducing match lengths and eliminating the umpire’s bounce.
In response to the ongoing discussions about reform, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin stated that there are many areas for improvement, including the competition’s equalisation measures and the substitute rule. “Let’s just deal with the sub. That’s an easy one, I reckon,” Goodwin commented, suggesting a return to having five players on the bench. His sentiments resonated with fellow coaches like Chris Scott (Geelong), Brad Scott (Essendon), and Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), all of whom have echoed similar frustrations regarding the substitute rule.
As the AFL navigates these discussions, the future of the drafting system remains a focal point, with Lyon’s push for a fairer framework poised to spark further debate among clubs and stakeholders alike.
