Having a draft like in AFL

[Joe Mac]

I really like the idea of a draft, so that the worst performing Australian franchises get the first pick of the best talent. Not only would this spread the talent amongst the franchises but I think the event could raise a lot of money for the ARU coffers.

I think it is even more viable now that the ARU is introduing this new salary cap thingo...

The question is how would the ARU go about implementing such an idea. Is it viable?

If there are others out there interested in such an event, maybe we should get the ARU's attention through a group, kind of like the Rugby Choir did.

What does everyone think?

 

[Stu Wilsons Gloves]

I really like the idea of a draft, so that the worst performing Australian franchises get the first pick of the best talent. Not only would this spread the talent amongst the franchises but I think the event could raise a lot of money for the ARU coffers.

I think it is even more viable now that the ARU is introduing this new salary cap thingo...

The question is how would the ARU go about implementing such an idea. Is it viable?

If there are others out there interested in such an event, maybe we should get the ARU's attention through a group, kind of like the Rugby Choir did.

What does everyone think?

players could opt out, go to NRL, Japan or some such place, it's a non-starter.

 

[TheTruth]

Jeez - that does mean some Queenslanders may be "forced" to relocate to southern states - that would be bullshit. Why would a player who wants to play for his State be forced to go to a place like Mongrel Melbourne, Canberra - also think it is a non-starter (quoting Stu)

 

[fatprop]

It is illegal, the first time a player is sent somewhere against their "will" a judge will kill it, as they did when the NRL tried it.

 

[Richard D. James]

Great minds and all that, I've been thinking about this as well lately.

I'm not entirely sure how the current system works for no. of Academy players, but I think if you reduce that number and have the excess players go into a draft it might work. That way franchises and players can still choose a team they want to be at, but other players can go into the draft if they think it will be beneficial.

I'm missing a whole lot of knowledge about how our academies work, but there would have to be a way to balance forcing young players to go to teams they don't want to play for and ensuring all teams have access to young talent

The biggest benefit of some form of draft is that it gives lower ranked teams something positive after a shit season, they will know they have the chance to get some good young players in and start rebuilding. This will keep the punters turning up even when their team is losing. It will also make the peaks and troughs of a teams success much less extreme, which is a good thing.

 

[Richard D. James]

It is illegal, the first time a player is sent somewhere against their "will" a judge will kill it, as they did when the NRL tried it.

So how does it work in the AFL?

There must be a system which allows players to voluntarily enter into the draft with the hopes they are a high pick and will get a better deal?

 

[Joe Mac]

Agreed, It doesn't even need to be kids straight out of school. It can be all school leavers + kids playing colts for clubs who arent yet signed by academies...

 

[Travi34]

rugby is international. won't work. AFL is local and vic based, so it works on that philosophy (since 87 (?) when the draft was introduced...)

AFL works because most teams want players for the lang haul, and usually pick players who were made locally. A la vic teamspick vic players, WA teams pick WA players... etc...

Also in AFL, they have a base salary for 1st years, which is around $50k+ match payments, making around 80k + sponsorship.

In Rugby, with less players on the park, and specialised positions, a draft is not be the best option... IMO.

 

[Joe Mac]

People in the draft would have the same opportunities as they do in the AFL to chose players from their own state. These players would likely have a bigger following there and they would be an obvious and popular choice. However, if a player was a Queenslander and only wanted to play for the Red's he could opt out of the draft and just try to enter the Reds Academy like normal. Im sure on rare cases this would happen however I think that most kids at that age who dream of being pro rugby players would jump at the chance to play for any Australian franchise, not just their home state...

 

[Richard D. James]

The NFL is prime example of how effective a good draft system is. It's a little surprising though with the political culture there, the NFL is essentially a socialist organisation.

 

[Bullrush]

The NFL is prime example of how effective a good draft system is. It's a little surprising though with the political culture the, the NFL is essentially a socialist organisation.

As I played basketball all through high school, I've often wondered how a draft system would work in rugby a la NBA and NFL.

In terms of spreading talent and making a great competition, I don't know that it works as well as a salary cap eg. the NRL. I mean, that competition is amazing in terms of how hard it is to pick the winners week in and week out......

 

[fatprop]

So how does it work in the AFL?

There must be a system which allows players to voluntarily enter into the draft with the hopes they are a high pick and will get a better deal?

It works because an AFL player hasn't fought it, Terry Hill did and it was thrown out

Terry Hill

Hill became embroiled in the "External and Internal Draft" system in the 1991 season when, after agreeing to a playing and employment deal with the Western Suburbs Magpies, he was drafted from the Internal Draft pool by Eastern Suburbs. Hill's initial appeal was overturned and he eventually agreed to a three year contract with Easts. By the end of 1991 the High Court had overturned the draft system and in 1992 Hill was given a release and he was able to move on to Western Suburbs Magpies.[1]

 

[Richard D. James]

That's a good point Bullrush, the salary cap will be an equalizer and help mitigate "player hoarding". That's all I'm really after, a fair distribution of talent across the Oz teams.

 

[Richard D. James]

It works because an AFL player hasn't fought it, Terry Hill did and it was thrown out

Ah fair enough. I wonder why AFL players haven't fought it?

 

[liquor box]

It is illegal, the first time a player is sent somewhere against their "will" a judge will kill it, as they did when the NRL tried it.

If they ARu became the only professional association in Australia and delegated its "employees" to different departments (ARU pay the players directly, not the franchise) then there could be no comeback.

 

[liquor box]

Jeez - that does mean some Queenslanders may be "forced" to relocate to southern states - that would be bullshit. Why would a player who wants to play for his State be forced to go to a place like Mongrel Melbourne, Canberra - also think it is a non-starter (quoting Stu)

Maybe you could introduce free agency, one you have completed 5 seasons at your drafted franchise you can then negotiate with a team without the draft. As the Draft would be mostly on young players then they could return home at around 22 years old anyway

 

[fatprop]

If they ARu became the only professional association in Australia and delegated its "employees" to different departments (ARU pay the players directly, not the franchise) then there could be no comeback.

A employment judge will look at it as a restriction in trade and the re-modelling a contrivance, you are insisting an employee move against their will.

Actually salary caps are just as dodgy legally, for that you have a group of companies working together to limit their employees wages.

 

[Joe Mac]

Would it not make a great viewing of an evening as well? Highlights of each of the players before the teams make their selections.

I would love to see that. Could be some serious dollars for the ARU. They could even use the proceeds to pay directly an amount to each of the rookies picked in the draft. That would increase retention in the Rugby Union and make the clubs life a lot easier...

 

[Joe Mac]

A employment judge will look at it as a restriction in trade and the re-modelling a contrivance, you are insisting an employee move against their will.

Actually salary caps are just as dodgy legally, for that you have a group of companies working together to limit their employees wages.

FP- players would have the option of entering into the draft or not... That is not a restriction of trade.

 

[Bowside]

We should be trying to grow state loyalties, not kill them off.

I say let each province have free rein over they players they develop, and only let the other provinces sign them if they are not getting a run. The smaller rugby states have already started to develop their own super rugby players, we need to encourage such development.

Also think all player contracts should be 2 seasons max, and run in sync. For example, all Australian super rugby players would sign 2012-2013 contracts, then renegotiate before signing 2014-2015 contracts. If a franchise wanted to sign a player mid cycles they could simply sign them for a season and then offer them a 2 season deal at the end of that season, if they wanted. Obviously you would need this for academies and to cover injuries and whatnot.

Only real reason for a draft is that it would be a great spectacle and they could make it into a dinner type function and sell tickets.