In the Age:

Quote:

Caroline Wilson | May 21, 2008

THE AFL is looking at softening the father-son rule just one year after introducing the controversial bidding system as one of a series of conciliatory gestures to the 16 clubs that will be forced to sacrifice draft picks and uncontracted players to the competition's two new teams.

The league has taken on board a proposal from North Melbourne to reduce the father-son games requirement from 100 back to 50 although football operations boss Adrian Anderson conceded the AFL might even look at a lower number of games required for eligibility.

Confirming the North proposal, Anderson said: "The Kangaroos have been very vocal about the father-son rule. They rightly point out that if you have a bidding system in place then perhaps it is fair enough to lower the games to 50 or even 20.

"We've consulted all 16 clubs now and we are looking at a number of ways to compensate the 16 existing clubs. The father-son rule is just one that would benefit existing clubs but not the 17th and 18th teams."

The AFL's working party overseeing the creation of two new playing lists will meet for the first time next week and includes representatives from the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Geelong and Sydney.

Along with revising the most romantic rule in football, the proposals aimed at compensating the existing clubs the AFL is considering include:

■Eliminating the rule requiring clubs to delist a minimum of three players at the end of each season;

■Supplementing rookie lists by up to three extra rookies per club;

■Compensating the bottom clubs by giving them access to earlier draft picks than first mooted in the first model which allowed each new club access to the top five draft choices.

North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca said his club would put its father-son proposal to the AFL on Friday. "Our footy department will get together to formalise our proposal," he said.

"There are various models we are looking at but personally I think anything lower than 50 games could dilute the meaning of father-son.

Arocca said the Kangaroos would also request lists be extended to include up to six extra players be they rookies, scholarship players or international players.

"The (father-son) bidding system, in our view, could perhaps be relaxed to the point that nothing lower than a second-round draft pick was sacrificed," Arocca said.

However Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley was more bullish. "It was one of a number of small ways we believe the existing clubs could get something back from what they are sacrificing. I reckon if you have a former player with a son you want to draft, then let the club draft him," he said.

"We're not talking about forever. If you are looking at losing high draft picks for three years then relax the father-son rule for five years."

While several clubs have proposed the new Gold Coast and Sydney teams be eliminated from the father-son bidding system, only North put forward the games requirement reduction proposal.

Should the AFL approve the change it would be the 13th change to the rule since it was introduced in 1967. North Melbourne is anticipating several forthcoming father-son opportunities, notably the offspring of 217-game centre half-back Ian Fairley who has two sons.

Football operations general manager Donald McDonald has a talented 13-year old son and also played the required number of games for the Kangaroos. Laidley, the father of a 17-year-old TAC Cup footballer, misses out on the current cut-off by one game. Laidley played 99 games for North Melbourne.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/new...182803000.html

Anyway apparently Chris Connolly has a got a kid who is ripping it up and should be availaible in 2 years time. Seeing as the big man only layed 98 games could work out brilliantly for us

it is not surprising that north have suggested to relax the rule for 2-3 years, when they expect players to come through for them in that period...

i agree however. 50 games is a good cut of point imo, perhaps the bidding gets harder the less games they have played? ie if it is the son of a 300 gamer 5th round is an option, 200 gamer, 3rd round, 100 gamer 2nd round, 50 gamer 1st round.

the stronger the tie the easier it is to secure the player...

Anyway apparently Chris Connolly has a got a kid who is ripping it up and should be availaible in 2 years time. Seeing as the big man only layed 98 games could work out brilliantly for us

Nice, anyone knows who he plays for?

I have a feeling that the games coached count the same as games played. How many did he coach with Freeo? Also, does N Danniher have any sons?

At 100 games Jakovich's kids would not qualify but at 50 I think they would.

Are there any other prospective players coming up for the Dees over the next few years under the F/S rule?

Anyway, some ordinary players father champions & some champions father ordinary players.

it is not surprising that north have suggested to relax the rule for 2-3 years, when they expect players to come through for them in that period...

From that article, it seems only Laidley's kid doesn't qualify.

I wonder how you'd go coaching your own kid - a bit of a minefield for player and Coach, I'd think.

From that article, it seems only Laidley's kid doesn't qualify.

I wonder how you'd go coaching your own kid - a bit of a minefield for player and Coach, I'd think.

Didn't this happen with the Carlton coach before Pagan, I seem to this exact thing occur - or perhaps it was at the Roos....

Didn't this happen with the Carlton coach before Pagan, I seem to this exact thing occur - or perhaps it was at the Roos....

At the Roos. Ryan Pagan was on the list while Denis was coach. As it happened, Pagan junior was a dud, so it didn't matter in the end.

At the Roos. Ryan Pagan was on the list while Denis was coach. As it happened, Pagan junior was a dud, so it didn't matter in the end.

That's the one, yeah he was a bit of a dud, I remember that being a bit of an issue.

Also, well done on deciphering my post

I'm a massive fan of a change in this rule.

The father-son thing is a great way to create family traditions at football clubs, and it shouldn't be lost to our game.

Father Son is a great Rule and must be kept and encouraged

OK so heres what we do.

Get Neita to "mate" with all of the Aussie Netball team for several reasons

1. They win.

2. Good genes eg height speed etc.

We then send all the girl offspring to Netball Australia and we keep all the boys.

In approximately 19-20 years time we begin a 10-12 year premiership streak.

Do it for the Dee's Neitz. I know if I was you I would.

He's waaaay ahead of you!

He's waaaay ahead of you!

Yeah he has her pants on fire already

I have a feeling that the games coached count the same as games played. How many did he coach with Freeo? Also, does N Danniher have any sons?

At 100 games Jakovich's kids would not qualify but at 50 I think they would.

The great man didn't even hit 50 games for Melbourne. Played 47 for 201 goals, before playing his 50th VFL/AFL match for the Bulldogs.

How are Gary Lyons sons going?

At the Roos. Ryan Pagan was on the list while Denis was coach. As it happened, Pagan junior was a dud, so it didn't matter in the end.

What about the Saints? Or we not counting Thomas's illegitimate son?

Do we know of any future father-son picks? Lyon has a few boys, so does Ox, but what about the Febey's, Stinga, Stynes, heck Spalding or Grinter would do me

We had Robbie Flower's son for a while didn't we? We don't seem to do so well in the kids of stakes... Well Chris Johnson...

Does Viney have boys? any mini Grinters? young lovetts? stumpy stingas (did he play over 100?)

We had Robbie Flower's son for a while didn't we? We don't seem to do so well in the kids of stakes... Well Chris Johnson...

Does Viney have boys? any mini Grinters? young lovetts? stumpy stingas (did he play over 100?)

Yeah Viney has some little tackers who play junior footy

Yeah Viney has some little tackers who play junior footy

By little I hope you mean 196cm and can dominate CHF...

Steve Febey is married to a former Olympic gold medal hockey player (female not male).

So they should be churning out little demons for the love of the club

By little I hope you mean 196cm and can dominate CHF...

Just like Viney did

Just like Viney did

I'm a desperate man!

Maybe we can get Lauren Jackson and David Schwarz together

We had Robbie Flower's son for a while didn't we? We don't seem to do so well in the kids of stakes... Well Chris Johnson...

Does Viney have boys? any mini Grinters? young lovetts? stumpy stingas (did he play over 100?)

I read somewhere about a year ago that TV had a son about 14 years old who was a bit of a gun. Also that Gary had about 3 of them but they were all a bit younger.

(No pressure on these kids if they're reading)