Jake Niall makes his case against the proposed mid-season trade.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-harry-hypothetical-why-there-are-problems-galore-with-mid-year-trades-20240205-p5f2d2.html

What did he say Demonstone paywall blocking viewing.😁

It is a terrible idea. Once again, the supporters are completely ignored. We like to support a team AND OUR PLAYERS!  To think that we barrack for them one week and literally the next week are barracking against them: It is ridiculous.

no issues with bringing it in - it's inevitable

but at least they didn't knee-jerk and do it this year

I'm not in favour of it at all. But if it is to be introduced, it should not take effect until all traded future draft picks have been used. Trading is inextricably linked with draft picks. And given future picks are already "in play", the mid-season draft should only be introduced after they have been used.

41 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

It is a terrible idea. Once again, the supporters are completely ignored. We like to support a team AND OUR PLAYERS!  To think that we barrack for them one week and literally the next week are barracking against them: It is ridiculous.

100% agree with this. Basically ruins the idea of a team, and kids will start following players instead of teams.

It will also become another mechanism that increases the gap between the have and have nots. Teams at the bottom will be permanently stuck there.

I'm glad they're not doing it, though it does seem inevitable with all the chatter. Just another step to the sport becoming less equal and ruined for good.

 

1 hour ago, DeeZone said:

What did he say Demonstone paywall blocking viewing.😁

 

I'll just post his "issues" with the concept.

Here are a few blatant wrinkles in a liberal mid-year trading system that emulates overseas sports:

1. Assuming there’s little restriction on who you can trade, clubs down the ladder, e.g. Carlton last year, have greater incentive to give up on the season and effectively tank. This flies in the face of the equalisation that has made the AFL more appealing.
2. The teams higher on the ladder would enhance their position if they can a) acquire a key player that redresses immediate need and b) can get the vendor to pay a portion of that season’s contract.
3. Integrity. The fixture will always be compromised, but is it right to cop, say, Richmond with Tom Lynch in round six – and then your top eight/four rival gets the Tigers without him in round 18? Not because he’s injured/suspended, but since he’s playing for Collingwood or Sydney by then?
4. Players and their agents could ruthlessly exploit a mid-year trade threat: “I want to go to Geelong and get there now (Cats are thereabouts). Or sign me on a $6 million deal now.” Predatory clubs will get in the ear of players to push for an immediate trade.
5. Geographic disadvantage. Victorian clubs can gain players from nine teams in the same state. Is a gun player, with kids, willing to uproot his life and move to Queensland or Adelaide?