Clubs now required to have at least 4 rookies

[one-eyed]

As part of the money from the TV-rights deal ... significant financial strategy developments include:

THE creation of an over-23 rookie berth on lists and the requirement of all clubs to list at least four rookies.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20414997%255E19742,00.html

[mightytiges]

So will our 4 rookies be Graham, a demoted Tiger plus two newbies?

[WilliamPowell]

So will our 4 rookies be Graham, a demoted Tiger plus two newbies?

I reckon that's probably the way it'll go.

But I certainly would be using the mature age rookie slot for a 23 y.o. - but I would make sure it's an untried 23 y.o. from say the VFL (Can think of a couple of Coburg blokes that should considered  )

Reason being we end up having 1 ready made player in case we have an injury run like this season and with the other 3 kids the focus can be solely on development without the added pressure of being Pick whatever from the National Draft

[mightytiges]

Agree WP we should pick up a mature rookie as back-up but I would prefer someone out of the SANFL - a higher standard compared to the VFL. With 10 AFL affiliated clubs in the VFL, the standard isn't great and we'd most likely just pick up a bloke who is only good enough to play at Coburg. We want to find someone who we genuinely believe could make it at AFL level but wasn't ready to be drafted when he was 17/18 years old; otherwise why waste the money. Perhaps a ruckman or key defender who was a late developer.

[WilliamPowell]

Agree WP we should pick up a mature rookie as back-up but I would prefer someone out of the SANFL - a higher standard compared to the VFL. With 10 AFL affiliated clubs in the VFL, the standard isn't great and we'd most likely just pick up a bloke who is only good enough to play at Coburg. We want to find someone who we genuinely believe could make it at AFL level but wasn't ready to be drafted when he was 17/18 years old; otherwise why waste the money. Perhaps a ruckman or key defender who was a late developer.

Have to disagree with MT regarding the standard of the VFL competition - I reckon it's on par if not slightly higher than the SANFL and fair way ahead of say the WAFL.

Having watched alot of VFL this season I would say the VFL reserve comp is of a lower standard than seniors and the gap between the seniors and reserves needs to be made smaller. However the VFL comp is very strong and I reckon there are number of blokes that I think could make it at AFL level if given the opportunity.

I would think that if AFL Clubs are smart they'd know the ones that are worth a shot as a rookie. There a couple blokes running around in the SANFL (get SANFL matches weekly on Foxtel ABC 2) who get touted as possible AFL rookies and I'd question whether they would be worth taking a punt on over the same sort of guys that are running around in the VFL

[mightytiges]

This could be the end of a beautiful friendship  . Agree WP the smart clubs will have done their homework.

Alwyn Davey (Souths) is one AFL clubs are having a good look at. Lightning quick like his older brother Aaron. One of South's best in their EF win over Port. Pace is something that will get AFL recruiters interested.
Jeremy Clayton (Port) got another 34 disposals and 4 goals on the weekend and has 33 goals this year from the midfield. Almost a Tiger last year too. At 175cm tall probably too small for a AFL midfielder though. I have same query over Jacob King at Coburg who is only 174cm.