Here's a good detailed explanation of the new rookie rules ....--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ROOKIES – PLEASE READ.
There is quite a bit of confusion as to the rules surrounding the rookie draft, so please read on so that you fully understand, as some clubs will passing on their preseason selections;
- Each club must have 44 positions on its list filled for 2013, this does not include “Category B” rookies (who are separate) – in which a club can have a ma
ximum of three. Category B rookies are international players, “converts” eg: those from other sports backgrounds, or those coming from a scholarship program.
- For teams who have a selection, or multiple selections in the preseason draft, teams are NOT obliged to used them, as in seasons past. A team can “pass” on a preseason selection, which in turn would give that team an extra selection in the rookie draft.
- Despite the AFL cutting the rookie list from six positions, to four – the new rule still allows for manipulation, meaning that a club can still select 6 rookies, but can only have 38 senior players to choose from, with a maximum of two rookies who can be nominated to move between being a rookie and senior player throughout 2013. They can do this without having to be elevated due to a long term injury or a player on veteran list, or being upgraded mid-year.
EG:
38 senior players, 6 rookies
39 senior players, 5 rookies
40 senior players, 4 rookies
- The reason clubs will “pass” on preseason selections is to do with TPP – (Total Player Payments), this is to ensure that the club fits under the designated Salary Cap. For example, a base rate contract of a new senior player drafted from the National or Preseason draft, may be $65,000 per season. As a player recruited to the Rookie list, their base wage may only be $30,000 therefore, saving the club money, enabling it to fit under a salary cap for not just 2013 – but for the length of all player contracts combined.
- For Clubs who only use 38 senior players on their list for 2013, they have the benefit of naming two “nominated” rookies. Those rookies are eligible to play Round One. If a team has 39 players on its senior list, it can then nominate one “nominated” rookie, who is also eligible to play round one in 2013.
To use Collingwood as an example (apologies Collingwood haters, but they are the best example)
Collingwood tomorrow will pass on both of its preseason selections. That said, Collingwood have 6 positions to fill tomorrow, which will be via the rookie draft. Collingwood already have three “Category B” rookies on their list, taking them to a total of 9 rookies. After passing on their preseason selections, as it’s been estimated that two new players onto the senior list will not fit into Collingwood’s salary cap – Collingwood will fill their list by using the rookie list. The pies will go into 2013 with 38 senior players to choose from, and 6 rookies, 2 of which can be “nominated” to play all year round in 2013 – one of those players is Ben Hudson, in which Collingwood have already nominated. Nominated rookies do not have to be lodged to the AFL until March, giving all 18 clubs time to nominate any players eligible. Remembering, that only teams with 38 or 39 senior players, will be able to nominate one or two rookies.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRESEASON DRAFT SELECTION AND A ROOKIE DRAFT SELECTION:
- Any player recruited via a preseason selection pick is eligible to play senior football throughout 2013. This player is recruiter to the clubs senior list, and is played a “senior wage”.
- Any player recruited via a rookie selection pick, is not eligible to play senior football throughout 2013, unless they have been “nominated” (where applicable) or they are elevated either through a long term injury, room made via an eligible veteran or via the mid-year upgrade system, where each club is given the opportunity to upgrade a rookie to the senior list.
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