'Sweeping changes' to Academy and Father/Son bidding system

[Meg]

It could be argued that QBE have received increased exposure from the wider AFL Community as a result of the Academy demate.

No it couldn't. I haven't read a single article that has referred to the Academy by its correct name, that is the 'QBE Sydney Swans Academy', nor any reference to QBE as the major sponsor of the Academy. And there is ignorance of QBE's role in every online discussion of the Academy that I have read. Indeed many people seem to think the AFL funds the academies.

So zilch return from this kerfuffle for QBE. If I were their Sponsorship/Marketing manager I would be extremely annoyed about the way this issue is being handled, which is quite disrespectful of their significant contribution to date.

[Mug Punter]

Damian Barrett on the Footy Show reporting changes that are almost certain with regards to the Academy and Father/Son bidding systems.

In brief, he is saying an independent panel will judge the worth of a potential academy or f/s player. If they deem this player is a top 5 talent and for example Sydney have pick 18, then we would have to give up our first AND second round pick for this player.

These changes are said to be happening this year. Personally I think this is a complete disgrace. Completely sick of Eddie getting his way. They didn't mention how it would work with Sydney having two fall into this category in next years draft. I guess we'd have to give up our first 4 picks?

This would be an effective dismantling of the Academy System before it has even started to bear fruit.

IF it happens then expect all out war between the Northern States and the AFL. I would not even rule out a legal challenge to the entire draft system should this occur...

[tasmania60]

Agree about sponsors another premiership brands looking better and better !

[707]

So if we let Heeney go to the draft, where would he get picked up? I bet not top 5. Would any club use their top pick on a kid that is clearly red and white through and through and a homesickness candidate after two years?

So who do you reckon would be the first to draft him?

Still reckon the AFL won't want to risk losing the academies, will set them back a generation in NSW & Qld, NRL will play it for all it's worth, maybe never to actually get AFL traction again north of the Murray.

[DA_Swan]

There is nothing independent about the AFL so who they put on an independent panel will be very interesting - maybe the same people that saw Jack Watts as a No 1 pick

[Mug Punter]

So if we let Heeney go to the draft, where would he get picked up? I bet not top 5. Would any club use their top pick on a kid that is clearly red and white through and through and a homesickness candidate after two years?

So who do you reckon would be the first to draft him?

Still reckon the AFL won't want to risk losing the academies, will set them back a generation in NSW & Qld, NRL will play it for all it's worth, maybe never to actually get AFL traction again north of the Murray.

I think that the Northern Alliance would do whatever it takes if such a scandalous proposal was adopted (fwiw I can't see the AFL being so stupid, probably just poor journalism). I think they would go the restraint of trade route and that would open a can of worms the AFL has avoided for years with its cozy little Melbourne cartel running the game.

It's just too insane to counter. We'll be lucky if we produce an Isaac Heeny once every 5 years, even if we get Mills next year it is clearly an aberration historically. Let's say we get a player at 18 instead of 5, it will even out at about a 1-2 draft placing concession over 5 years in return for $3-4M. Hardly a bargain for us.

IF this happens I expect the fallout to be absolutely immense.....

[Meg]

We now seem to have a bidding system on what the bidding system should be. According to this story we might have to give up THREE picks to get Heeney.

"The bidding system ? which also applies to players who fall under the father-son criteria ? is being reviewed by the AFL. The league?s general counsel, Andrew Dillon, will have his revision of the system completed and announced soon. It is likely the revamped rules will see a club that is good enough to win the premiership, has an academy and has the best talent will need to give up not just selection 18 but perhaps as many as three draft picks to secure Numero Uno."

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

[ugg]

And suddenly Heeney has been anointed the "No 1 pick" in the the upcoming draft. I eagerly await his admission to the AFL Hall of Fame by the end of next week.

[Meg]

And a Brownlow?

[Auntie.Gerald]

i personally think Mills will be just as good

Eddie and the vic CEOs know that if we get Mills and Heeney the next two years combined with Bud, Tip, Reid and the depth we have now we will be a top 4 for the next 5 years min

[jono2707]

The other clubs should be taking a similar attitude to what they're taking with the Suns and Giants lists - sitting back and waiting for the obvious overflow of talent and picking off a player they want/need with a better deal. If our list does become so stacked, particularly with these couple of young guns to join, surely we will have to offload some talent along the way?

A smart club like Geelong targeted and got Caddy from the Suns a couple of years ago. Instead of moaning, the other clubs should be positioning themselves in such a way to be able to take some advantage of our supposedly stacked list over the next couple of years.

[Dosser]

No it couldn't. I haven't read a single article that has referred to the Academy by its correct name, that is the 'QBE Sydney Swans Academy', nor any reference to QBE as the major sponsor of the Academy. And there is ignorance of QBE's role in every online discussion of the Academy that I have read. Indeed many people seem to think the AFL funds the academies.

So zilch return from this kerfuffle for QBE. If I were their Sponsorship/Marketing manager I would be extremely annoyed about the way this issue is being handled, which is quite disrespectful of their significant contribution to date.

I beg to differ, Meg. QBE get a lot of branding out of the Swans being on TV - in particular, the finals. They get a lot of mileage out of being associated with a winning team. It is definitely in their best financial interest to ensure that the Swans have every advantage, and therefore their academy investment helps to mitigate against the Swans missing the finals. It is their way of taking out insurance

It is a smart move by QBE to invest in the Academy in order to maximise their investment into the Swans.

[mcs]

We now seem to have a bidding system on what the bidding system should be. According to this story we might have to give up THREE picks to get Heeney.

"The bidding system ? which also applies to players who fall under the father-son criteria ? is being reviewed by the AFL. The league?s general counsel, Andrew Dillon, will have his revision of the system completed and announced soon. It is likely the revamped rules will see a club that is good enough to win the premiership, has an academy and has the best talent will need to give up not just selection 18 but perhaps as many as three draft picks to secure Numero Uno."

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

Three picks - now that is ridiculous to the other extreme. We should only ever have to pay 1 pick, equal to what other teams are willing to pay, like f/s, for a first selection each year. If there are more than 1 player we want, then i think its fair that we have to maybe give up a bit more than just a 2nd rd pick. But 3 picks for one player - an absolute crock.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Heeney seems to get better between games, opposed to during them.

[mcs]

Heeney seems to get better between games, opposed to during them.

I'm surprised he hasn't overnight become Brownlow favourite for this year. Its like we are getting a bona-fide, guaranteed 350+ games, quadruple premiership player for nothing. He may be good at junior level, but he comes with exactly the same levels of risk as every other big name draft pick.