https://sports.yahoo.com/pwhl-to-use-draft-format-that-other-sports-leagues-should-consider-stealing-004818519.html#:~:text=Once%20a%20team%20is%20mathematically,problem%20of%20modern%20draft%20ordering.

I have recently come across this system which is used in the professional women's hockey league, and was wondering if this kind of thing could be implemented into the AFL. There are a few key barriers, such as many fewer games, but this would mean there are less fizzers, which was a real worry last year IMO, and will continue to be this year, even with the wildcard round. Interested to see others thoughts on this matter, as something needs to be fixed with the draft

Thanks Deem...67 for posting this.

Does raise some good ideas and would take away the tanking concerns and scheduled surgeries etc that occur at the end of the season. The heavily compromised draft ( with all the academy selections and father/son) combined with the lopsided FIX-ture would limit the ability for this to work in the current AFL setup. I do support the idea of a true attempt of equalisation of talent to encourage different clubs up at the pointy end of the season. As we can currently see (and will to see in the next 5 seasons I believe) the increasing gulf between the haves and have-nots in terms of coaching, facilities, handouts, under the table/ off the books payments, allowances and just plain corruption across the league.

11 minutes ago, MoreFreesForTheDees said:

Thanks Deem...67 for posting this.

Does raise some good ideas and would take away the tanking concerns and scheduled surgeries etc that occur at the end of the season. The heavily compromised draft ( with all the academy selections and father/son) combined with the lopsided FIX-ture would limit the ability for this to work in the current AFL setup. I do support the idea of a true attempt of equalisation of talent to encourage different clubs up at the pointy end of the season. As we can currently see (and will to see in the next 5 seasons I believe) the increasing gulf between the haves and have-nots in terms of coaching, facilities, handouts, under the table/ off the books payments, allowances and just plain corruption across the league.

Great points!

Also if there is an end of season match between 2 cellar dwellers it would be both teams trying to win instead of both teams trying to lose

looks like changes are incoming: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-afl-is-about-to-shake-up-the-draft-and-it-s-set-to-cost-the-blues-a-record-price-20260306-p5o87l.html

Key points

• The AFL wants to protect the integrity of the draft – keep top 10 selections available to the teams that finish in the bottom 10.

• Clubs matching bids on draftees will likely have a loading on the points they pay, weighted according to where they finish on the ladder.

• Clubs would only be able to use two picks to match a bid – meaning that if they finish high on the ladder, they would likely have to give up existing talent to get enough points.

• Carlton, who want to land father-son Cody Walker this year, prepared for this scenario when they traded out Charlie Curnow, nabbing Sydney’s first-round picks for the next two seasons.

• If the proposed weighting had been in place in 2025, the Lions might have had 25 per cent extra in points (for example) added to academy prospect Daniel Annable’s price, making it harder for them to match the bid that came for him at pick six.

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

looks like changes are incoming: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-afl-is-about-to-shake-up-the-draft-and-it-s-set-to-cost-the-blues-a-record-price-20260306-p5o87l.html

Key points

• The AFL wants to protect the integrity of the draft – keep top 10 selections available to the teams that finish in the bottom 10.

• Clubs matching bids on draftees will likely have a loading on the points they pay, weighted according to where they finish on the ladder.

• Clubs would only be able to use two picks to match a bid – meaning that if they finish high on the ladder, they would likely have to give up existing talent to get enough points.

• Carlton, who want to land father-son Cody Walker this year, prepared for this scenario when they traded out Charlie Curnow, nabbing Sydney’s first-round picks for the next two seasons.

• If the proposed weighting had been in place in 2025, the Lions might have had 25 per cent extra in points (for example) added to academy prospect Daniel Annable’s price, making it harder for them to match the bid that came for him at pick six.

They can do it now that Gold Coast are fully loaded with a generation of Academy picks + Mac Andrew.

The foundations are well and truly set now. We will have to pay full whack now for any FS coming through in future years

I'll wait for the serious number crunchers to tell me if this is more than a wet lettuce hit but given the Tasmanian entry my guess is that the draft is going to be a very cold place for most Victorian teams.

I am also surprised that they have not done something to help turn the Eagles around. They are far more important to the competition than the Suns.

this is all good except keeping the first 10 picks for the teams that finish in the top 10. so you finish 8th and miss out on a father son cos you finished 1 spot too high, even though you could "pay" for him with picks/points etc?? ridiculous.

Just now I was dusting off my Navy Blue beanie and trying on for size in anticipation of the MCG game tomorrow evening and then like a thunderbolt it me, this is merely a nefarious scheme designed so that Carlton cannot easily draft a potential star, in Cody Walker, relatively cheaply like Brisbane, C'Wood, GC Suns, Sydney and the Doggies have in recent times! [shakes fist towards the direction of Docklands] 😁

9 minutes ago, No. 31 said:

Just now I was dusting off my Navy Blue beanie and trying on for size in anticipation of the MCG game tomorrow evening and then like a thunderbolt it me, this is merely a nefarious scheme designed so that Carlton cannot easily draft a potential star, in Cody Walker, relatively cheaply like Brisbane, C'Wood, GC Suns, Sydney and the Doggies have in recent times! [shakes fist towards the direction of Docklands] 😁

easy solution - finish last, get him at pick #1?

3 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

easy solution - finish last, get him at pick #1?

less go

1 minute ago, whatwhat say what said:

easy solution - finish last, get him at pick #1?

Tank, get Cochrane at #1 [take that Port] then bid for Walker when he comes up 😁

Stop talking about Carlton. This is a forum to discuss MFC.

(awaits usual suspects to defend the interloper)

2 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Stop talking about Carlton. This is a forum to discuss MFC.

(awaits usual suspects to defend the interloper)

haha

6 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Stop talking about Carlton. This is a forum to discuss MFC.

(awaits usual suspects to defend the interloper)

I love that @No. 31 comes over with Carlton war stories.

It’s like hosting an exchange student who seems exotic at first - until you realise they come from somewhere without toilet paper or running water.

I have no issue with @No. 31 talking about Melbourne (in a respectful manner, of course) but I object to seeing posts all about Carlton.

However, I like to think that I'm a reasonable person and I'm willing to offer a compromise.

@No. 31 can discuss Carlton on this MFC forum only when the Blues win the AFL premiership.

48 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

I love that @No. 31 comes over with Carlton war stories.

It’s like hosting an exchange student who seems exotic at first - until you realise they come from somewhere without toilet paper or running water.

Hey, Parc de Princes does indeed have TP and running water 😁 Actually also has a first class training ground, an indoor training facility, a gym, a medical imaging centre, a merchandise store, a cafe and a club museum.

It is used by the AFLW Demons and even used for VFL and AFLW grand finals 😉