March backed on young talent MICHAEL GLEESON
May 26, 2010 A PROPOSAL that the AFL quarantine the best young talent of recent drafts from being harvested by the two new franchises, as raised by Richmond president Gary March, has received support from other presidents.
Troubled that battling clubs could conceivably lose precious first-round draft picks just two or three years into their careers prompted March to propose that those top picks be off limits to the start-up clubs.
Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said he strongly supported the idea while Essendon chairman David Evans said that while the Bombers board had not discussed the matter yet he personally sympathised with the position.
Advertisement: Story continues below''I think it is stating the obvious but from a Carlton viewpoint I think it is a great idea,'' Kernahan said. ''I understand where he is coming from because we are all battling ways to keep our young players.''
Evans said that Essendon's board was meeting next month to discuss issues of player retention and the incoming two new clubs, and the March idea would be raised at that meeting.
He said that preparing for the two new teams and the introduction of free agency was one of the major rationales for the proposed upgrades of Windy Hill and the improvement to the Bombers' facilities.
''It's not something we have discussed yet but I have a personal view that is sympathetic to the idea raised,'' Evans said.
''You put enormous investment in young players emotionally and development wise and to see that investment walk out the door would be a bitter pill.
''All the development of our facilities at Windy Hill is part of our retention and development plans.''
Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab, who was on the working party that devised the rules for player procurement for the two new teams, was less than impressed with his club having been drawn into the debate by March.
The Richmond president had stressed that his idea was not a reaction to reports of multi-million dollar offers being put to the Tigers' impressive first-year player Dustin Martin.
He said he was equally opposed to the idea that players such as Tom Scully, Jack Watts, Jack Trengove or Nic Naitanui could be taken by the new teams with financially irresistible offers when they come out of contract, despite being at their first clubs for just a short time.
''Gary March does not speak on behalf of our club,'' Schwab said. ''We understand what the rules are and Tim Harrington is working hard to make sure we keep all of our players and we are comfortable with that so I don't need Gary March speaking on behalf of the Melbourne Football Club.
''It's his concept, he can take it forward. We know what the rules are and will work within the rules.''
Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett wanted to further consult with their clubs' list managers before making a comment on the proposal.
The AFL's game development executive David Matthews was unavailable for comment yesterday.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/march-backed-on-young-talent-20100525-wb2x.html
