Out with the old rule Mark Stevens From: Sunday Herald Sun November 08, 2009
THE new rookie rule looms as a demotion tool for AFL clubs.
Updated rules allowing two mature-age rookies on each list give clubs the option of down-grading experienced players.
Club sources said yesterday it could be a means of removing "list-cloggers" and making way for extra picks in the national or pre-season draft.
For example a player with a year left on his contract, but out of favour, could be delisted. He would then receive a guarantee the club would take him in the rookie draft.
The club would continue to pay the player's full wage, but he would be a rookie.
It means a previously listed mature-age player would be restricted to reserves football until a long-term injury opened up a place on the primary list.
Although it is better than being delisted completely, mature-age rookies can only be promoted to play senior football in the case of a long-term injury.
It would be a bitter pill for the player, but a way for clubs to free up space for youth.
Clubs would also retain the experienced player as insurance, rather than delist him and pay out his contract, an unpalatable option, particularly for cash-strapped clubs.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/out-with-the-old-rule/story-e6frf9jf-1225795380475