IT is an age-old debate that has carried on long before the COVID-19 global pandemic brought pathway programs to a halt, but in the past month, the arguments for and against have begun flowing for lifting the minimum draft age. With the realisation that at the very least, the top-age group will have limited exposure to matches in 2020, the argument is that there has never been a better time to lift the draft age. However in saying that, every decision has flow-on consequences, which is why the majority of people believe that the status quo should, and will remain, and that the minimum age of being 18 by December 31 of the AFL Draft’s year will stand. This week Draft Central ran polls across its three social channels asking you, the audience which is heavily involved in the pathways programs, whether the AFL Draft age should be lifted. In all three cases – on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the ‘No’s’ had it, but not by as much as one would think. Let’s take a look at each one:

Twitter:

It's a no brainer. This year is ruined for U18s. Let them finish school & have a hot crack in 2021 as U19s. Present U19s should be allowed to enter the 2020 Draft, but it would be hard to see more than 20 being picked up. Lists will be cut, so veteran players need to be protected

— Thom I'm in a glasscase of emotion (@ThomTommyTomtom) April 21, 2020

Facebook:

On Facebook, the ‘No’ vote had a more comfortable win with 58 per cent of voters wanting the minimum AFL Draft age to remain at 18. Among the votes on the ‘No’ side included four prominent top-age players for 2020, wanting the choice to have a crack at the big time rather than wait another year, even if it meant more competition or less spots on offer. Others who voted ‘No’ with involvement in the system range from past players who missed out on the AFL Draft last year, coaches and assistant coaches within the various state pathways, and recruiters. In saying that, inside the 42 per cent of ‘Yes’ votes were a number of top-age players from across the country who were willing to wait another year to showcase their talents. Relations of a number of players who missed out on being drafted in previous years also thought it is wise to give players an extra year to develop, and as the likes of Tom Phillips and Tim English have shown, sometimes the extra year of development can prepare them further for the elite system. With a number of others also involved in the pathway system also on the ‘Yes’ side, there is still very much a split on whether players should have the extra year or not.

Instagram:

The Instagram poll had the most votes of the three social media polls, and split between them with 56 per cent of people leaning towards not lifting the minimum AFL Draft age. The results were quite interesting with a number of top-age talents again opting to choose ‘No’ and having a crack at making an AFL list this year. Not only were top-agers choosing ‘No’, but so were a number of bottom-age talents who still have a number of years left. A first round AFL Draft selection from 2019 also said ‘No’ to lifting the minimum AFL Draft age. Two Talent Managers within the Victorian pathway system also want to see players given a chance to be drafted, as do a number of leading AFL Women’s hopefuls. After all, with all the talk around the AFL Draft, very little has been communicated about the AFL Women’s draft and if there are any changes on that front. The ‘Yes’ vote had its fair share of supporters through Instagram, with a few assistant coaches in the pathway wanting to give players another season, as were a proportion of top and bottom-age players this year – though not as many as the ‘No’ voters. The majority of the ‘Yes’ vote seemed to be from past players who have gone through the pathway, family or friends of players or development roles within clubs. It showed there is a case for both arguments.

Summary from our polls:

While there was enough from the various stakeholders within the pathway systems to suggest there is still a mixed vote, this is what we were able to take from the polls. Players – A mix, but the vast majority were in favour of ‘No’ Coaches/roles within clubs – A real split between ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ Talent Managers – ‘No’ was the consensus from limited votes Family/friends/non-players – ‘Yes’ tended to be more favoured, but still ‘No’ had its support Past players – A even split between ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ —

So outside of our own data, where do the various stakeholders sit at the elite level?

‘YES’

Past and present AFL coaches have been the leaders in pushing for the AFL Draft age minimum to be lifted. Among those in support of raising the draft age are premiership coaches, Western Bulldogs’ Luke Beveridge and Richmond’s Damien Hardwick. Former AFL recruiter, Gary Buckenara went a step further in speaking to the Herald Sun and said that the AFL’s announcement that a draft would be held in 2020 was “the wrong decision”. Current South Australian Under 18s coach, Tony Bamford weighed in on the debate for lifting the draft age another year. He said in an interview with SEN SA Breakfast via The Advertiser that lifting the draft age “would be a good thing”. “They’re just more mature and they’ve got some life skills outside of school before they go into what is an absolutely cutthroat industry and environment,” he said.

Former Western Bulldogs’ premiership player Liam Picken also weighed in via Twitter, arguing that the draft age should be lifted due to physical and mental health challenges.

The Afl draft age is way too young. Should be at least 19. The benefits of raising the age far outweigh the short term pain. Players will have had more life experiences, started an education/trade or worked. Players will be in a better physically and mentally position to perform.

— Liam Picken (@PickenLiam) November 27, 2019

Former Fremantle AFL Women’s coach, Michelle Cowan agreed with Picken that the AFL Draft age should be lifted, to reduce the physical and mental toll on players entering the elite system with the high expectations placed upon themselves to perform.

I’d like to see the AFL draft age raised to 20. Give kids a chance to grow into their bodies without the physical of mental pressures an AFL environment can bring. #boyd

— Michelle Cowan (@MishCowan) May 16, 2019

‘NO’

The 2018 AFL National Draft’s first selection in Sam Walsh is against lifting the draft age. In speaking to AAP via ESPN and other media outlets, the 2019 AFL Rising Star winner said the minimum draft age should remain at 18 because modern day players were mature enough to balance school and football, and he had concerns that some players might be lost to the system by having to wait an extra year or two for their chance. Among other key ‘no’ supporters are Geelong recruiter Stephen Wells, who told SEN 1116 that he thinks back to Joel Selwood and the impact the now-skipper of the Cats had in his debut season. He said there was a “long list” of examples for players who had come in and performed from their first season, and were among “the most exciting players in the competition”. Former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder – and top 10 pick – Nick Dal Santo said on Fox Footy that the draft age was “fine currently where it is” and he and teammate Luke Ball had been drafted as 17-year-olds rather than the current system of having to turn 18 by the end of the year. Fellow former AFL player and 300-gamer, Brad Johnson agreed saying that as coach of the AFL Academy, he believes the players coming through the draft system are ready to go and “thrive in an elite environment”.

Summary

The debate to lift the AFL Draft age will continue to rage long after this year. There are great arguments both ‘for’ and ‘against’ raising the minimum age to 19 or 20. Even at Draft Central our writers are split between the two sides of the argument, though the general consensus is that if they do not raise the AFL Draft age this year, then there will never be a better time to do so. The AFL has already announced there will be an AFL Draft, be it at the end of the year or over summer in 2021 due to the delayed season and Year 12 exams that will now take place in December. There is still time to make a decision on the AFL Draft age, but given the best players from what would be the 19-year-old crop were taken as top-agers in last year’s AFL Draft, it is more likely the draft age remains the same, with 18-year-olds and older eligible for selection. More than anything else, everyone is hoping that the most talented young footballers can get out on the park soon and start showing their class to AFL recruiters.