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Tanking gets tanked
Posted Feb 10, 2010 - 8:13 AM
By Mr Dandalooa
The AFL says tanking will not be an issue this season because of the league’s expansion plans.
AFL officials believe controversial topic, which it still officially says is only the figment of people’s imagination and does not even happen, will not occur for at least two seasons with this year’s wooden-spooner potentially left with a pick as low as 6.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says speculation about player experimentation towards the end of a season in a bid to tank games was “absolutely disgraceful”, and that no such thing as tanking existed.
But Victorian surveys reveal that almost three-quarters of footy supporters believe clubs deliberately lose games to get better draft picks.
But with the AFL’s expansion, the incentive to lose games for a better draft order has all but vanished.
Despite discussions to tighten eligibility for the priority pick this year, the bonus selection will remain at number 4 in the draft.
Melbourne is the only club eligible for a first-round priority pick, as it was the only side that won four games or fewer last year.
Incoming team Gold Coast has first-round picks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and the first pick of every subsequent round in the draft.
If the Demons replicated last year’s horrid season, they would receive selections 4 and 6 in the draft, with the Gold Coast locked into picks 1 to 3.
The Dockers are equal favourites to finish on the bottom of the ladder this season along with Richmond and Melbourne.
The change comes amid a raft of alterations to the AFL this season where new rules will be on trial in the preseason.
Four new rule changes for the preseason competition with be trialled when the cup starts on Friday night as the West Coast Eagles take on Essendon at Subiaco Oval.
Boundary umpires will be now be allowed to award free kicks for holding at stoppages, while players will get to decide whether to use the advantage rule.
Players who attempt to force the ball under an opponent at a stoppage can be penalised for holding the ball and the no-go zone behind an umpire now applies at ball ups around the ground.
