So I've been over in the US for the past four or so weeks, and the last week I was there the NFL held its Draft Day.
(On that note, for anyone that sent me an Inbox message and didn't get a reply, I apologise but I was pretty much aiming to stay as disconnected as I could.)
I've always been against a draft for our game, but I have to say it was absolutely fascinating to watch. I know basically squat about the NFL, but even I found it incredibly entertaining.
It's absolutely massive. Totally dominates the news agenda for the few days surrounding it, at a time when its the NFL off-season. It's a massive live event, as well, playing to a packed venue.
Gave me pause to think where a draft could work in our game, particularly as I've never really liked the idea of young players going into a draft because I still like clubs developing their own talent.
But looking at the situation with Manly, i wonder if there could be a mid-season draft.
Essentially, you'd give clubs the opportunity to replace any long-term injured players for the rest of the year, with players from the second-tier or youth competitions. Working up from the bottom teams, any of these teams could pick up any player not contracted to a club. You might even allow a team to send one of their younger players out on loan if it meant them getting some valuable NRL experience.
It seems stupid that every year there are at least a couple of clubs who go through player shortage crisis, when there are talented players in the second-tier comp who can't get starts at clubs they may be connected with.
I reckon you could run it during Origin, and give the competition a genuine week break and just focus on the mid-season draft that week. All draft players would come in on a standard contract, and would either be totally outside the cap, or you'd make an allowance for it in the cap.
I think it would generate additional interest in the second-tier comps as well, as fans would be keeping track of what players are doing well there with an eye to who they could pick up during the mid-season draft. Be an interesting addition to the game, I reckon.
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It works in the US because professional teams only field a first grade team and nothing more. High schools and universities play the dominant role in youth development seperating the proffessional teams for claiming right to specific players
A draft is an interesting concept however i do think it rewards teams for being mediorce, requires a ridicoluous amount of investment from the NRL and it doesnt really create a even playing field in reality (i.e. Clevaland browns)
Welcome back.
Not too keen on a draft myself but a window for player swaps mid year would be good
Welcome back 1Eyed.
I like that idea of yours Snake. A "mid-season player swap window" would be much simpler and much cheaper for the NRL compared to a Draft system similar to what the NFL have.
Good to see you back Phil.
Agree Snake I believe the game isn't big enough to sustain a draft system for Juniors but do really like the idea of a player transfer window including the Juniors. It would add some excitement and theatre to the mid season.
I agree with BNG taking away incentives for development of players is only way a draft works successfully as clubs won't spend money to develop a player to be traded off. USA sports work due to the strong college development programme which we lack in Australia.
Somehow the AFL have made it work but they have different structure and set up as well as good relationship between administration and the players association.
League on other hand always seem be at war between clubs, administration and players. No group thinks whats best for game and only think what's best for their own interest first, second and third.
Another major stumbling block was the Terry Hill case which basically threw out
The previous attempt at draft.
The Terry hill case will be also used by first player who doesn't like the club he is drafted to as a precedent. On top of that players will just claim home sickness, family issues or need to get away from bad influences including bikies to leave a club and join a club who offers more or more likely to succeed
USA sports do a lot of things better then NRL or AFL however not sure draft is best thing for Aussie sports. I would prefer copy things like their use of week off for all star events. We could run it during origin and have fastest man in league, goal kicking comp, strongman comp as well as a 9's tournament. When origin in Melb or Perth imagine a week of events similar to this. It would be huge boost by letting new fans see more then just a game and appreciate speed strength and skill of the players. Tailgate parties are another awesome event at USA sports and although harder to replicate here something similar would be great.
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All good and welcome back. I'm off to the US on Sunday so will miss a couple of weeks of eel games.
A draft would be great but the reasons we don't have one is well summarised by fake midget.
Would be an absolute life saver for the game which is stagnating.
Remember last time there was a draft.
We were near the bottom so I thought we might get a bit of talent.
Manly got David Gillespie, Jim Serdaris and Terry Hill.
Norths got Mario Fenech, Phil Blake and Peter Jackson.
The Sharks got Les Davidson.
Who did we get? Oh, that's right, Pat O'Doherty and Cameron Blair.
The NRL can't even get the salary cap and TPA's right. Imagine what an absolute f&ck up they would make of a draft.
Having said that, a mid season draft isn't a bad idea :)
Oh, and Phil, how about some holiday snaps? I'm assuming you spent the entire time in San Fran and Key West :)
Somebody said Phil went to Thailand for some surgery, not sure how true that is.
I saw him in old Phuket town yesterday on our way back from the marina . He asked me if he puts his penis in a jar of water next to his bed does it work with the same concept as the Tooth Fairy .
I sent him down towards Paradise Complex and told him he’ll get at least 20 baht as they buy them by the gram down there .
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