AFL Executive General Manager of Football Greg Swann has defended the AFL's new draft rules introduced on Wednesday and rebuked the notion that it could lead to tanking.
Speaking on AFL 360, Swann was quizzed on the changes following a day where Carlton, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs have publicly expressed their frustration and indicated there had been transparent communication with the clubs.
“(We haven't upset) everybody, probably half. And I'm not saying that flippantly, I've already seen comments it's too hard, too easy, it's unfair,” Swann said.
“We flagged in July last year there would be changes and we've spoken with clubs and been on that journey We probably would have liked to have landed it earlier but it landed where it has
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat was among a chorus of voices concerned that it could lead to tanking, given the incentive of an extra first round pick for finishing in the bottom five – a sentiment Swann pushed back on.
“I don't agree with that. No-one is going to go down the bottom to get a pick in the 20s," Swann said.
“That was to cover off things like what happened to Richmond last year where they started with pick two and ended up with pick 7.
“Whether that's adequate compensation, we just felt like they should get something for being shuffled. That's the pick they'll get, it's a second round pick and the bottom five clubs, there's instances with North and West Coast they've been down for a long time and part of that issue to give compensation is to help them get back quicker than they would under the current rules.”
Swann also opened up on a wide range of other issues including umpiring and arc issues.
He confirmed that the AFL had a meeting with the goal umpires on Wednesday and they would be empowered to trust their judgment and make their decision.
It follows a goal umpire being overruled after more than a minute had lapsed, with the ball brought back to Rowan Marshall, who, on an uncalled for review, was found to have taken a mark.
“We want the goal umpires to make the call and if they're in doubt, they ask for a back-up,” Swann said.
The review process will be improved by the end of the season with better technology,
“We're in the process of looking at upgrading the technology…there is orders in place now to upgrade the cameras to give us a better definition of what's happening (which will happen) before the end of the season,” Swann said.
He conceded that the Richmond vs Melbourne game was umpired poorly, but reaffirmed that the controversial stand 50-metre penalty against Ben Miller was officiated correctly and indicated it was not unreasonable for Miller to be expected to stop.
“It's not (an) ideal (look) but they call stand 200 times a game and there is less than one free kick paid. That's an outlier,” Swann said.
“You'll see that happen 10 times a game and they do stop.”
Asked whether he had certainty over holding the ball, Swann said: “It's the hardest rule there is…there are (so many layers)…there are different camps, there are some who want to reward the tackler, there are some who want to reward the bloke getting the foty, he needs the protection. I'm in that camp, but it makes it difficult when they pick it up, have they had prior, have they not had prior? It's a difficult rule.”
Of course it will lead to “tanking” – what idiot believes it won’t?
If a club knows it won’t win a premiership “this year’ but has a reasonably good squad that can become a great one with a few father/son pickups and then re ripe for a real go at the premiership in a couple of years after that, will make sure they get those father/sons if the kids are that good.
It’s not hidden – this is obvious….