We Will Protect Clubs: AFL
May 2nd 2008 10:04
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou is confident that the new Gold Coast and Western Sydney teams will not be taking any uncontracted player they want, despite the staggering draft concessions being given to the two franchises.
Mick Malthouse said that the league had to 'delicately balance' expanding the new teams - making them competitive within a few years - whilst not debilitating the 16 current ones.
Demetriou said that these were "all legitimate concerns," he told The Age
"And I think it is important that we understand when you are putting a list together, if you take too much talent out of a draft you might actually hurt a club at the bottom of the ladder looking for a good pick.
"We don't want the new clubs to be raiding clubs of their best players, that is not what we are about, and the clubs know that.
"And I think we will move to (protect against that)".
Eight of the first 24 draft picks will go to the new Gold Coast franchise in 2010, with the Western Sydney team to follow suit in 2011. Both teams will also be allowed to pick five players from their home state, outside of the draft.
All 16 teams are in favour of the league expanding into encompassing two more teams.
"All our clubs are absolutely convinced this is a great opportunity for our code, and they are pleased we are consulting with them," Demetriou said.
Mick Malthouse said that the league had to 'delicately balance' expanding the new teams - making them competitive within a few years - whilst not debilitating the 16 current ones.
Demetriou said that these were "all legitimate concerns," he told The Age
"And I think it is important that we understand when you are putting a list together, if you take too much talent out of a draft you might actually hurt a club at the bottom of the ladder looking for a good pick.
"We don't want the new clubs to be raiding clubs of their best players, that is not what we are about, and the clubs know that.
"And I think we will move to (protect against that)".
Eight of the first 24 draft picks will go to the new Gold Coast franchise in 2010, with the Western Sydney team to follow suit in 2011. Both teams will also be allowed to pick five players from their home state, outside of the draft.
All 16 teams are in favour of the league expanding into encompassing two more teams.
"All our clubs are absolutely convinced this is a great opportunity for our code, and they are pleased we are consulting with them," Demetriou said.
| 63 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
