AFL changes bidding/points rule

[Steve]

For crying out loud had anyone here actually read the article?

There's absolutely no reason for the hysterics on here. The only thing that has been banned is phantom bids and rightly so.

The article does cover the fact that only a minor tweak has been implemented this year.

However the main issues, and hence the hysterics, are:

1) the article's title, which reflects the sentiment of most media reporting of the northern clubs trading down picks, opines that THE 'loophole' still exists. This is furthered by quotes from a prominent VIC club criticising that practice (as opposed to the 'phantom pick' issue, which hadn't really been reported as a/the concern of any clubs).

This perpetuates the negative attitude towards being able to trade down, and that northern clubs are still being allowed to exploit the supposed loophole.

2) the bigger concern is that there is still an agenda by certain clubs to have any action of the northern clubs that can be linked to their academies to be restricted - so media reporting saying loopholes still remain, 'many clubs are still concerned' etc etc just maintain the momentum for all the lobbying for changes to be made in the future.

You're right, the change that has been made this year isn't of concern. Nor has it really been a problem either though - hasn't what they've now restricted only been utilised it by 1 club for 1 pick in 1 year?

We've seen the level of fortitude the AFL has in standing up to that sort of public lobbying by VIC clubs - hence the valid concerns of what may still happen - not what they've changed this year.

[Ludwig]

It is seriously deceptive to call the trading of picks a loophole, as if it were something devised by the academy clubs to exploit the rest of the league. In fact, it was the original design of the the value points system that was skewed in a such a way as to be as costly as possible to the Swans to acquire Callum Mills. The other side of this coin is the overvaluing of 3rd and 4th round picks which made it easier for academy clubs to manage the uncertainties of draft night by trading down. The AFL could have designed a scale that was less skewed this manner. The clubs that wanted this system got their way and we paid heavily for Mills compared to the previous system, justly or not, but now they don't like the aftermath of their handiwork.