Today's confirmation that the AFL will change the rules to compensate Geelong if Ablett goes to the Gold Coast are significant, and set an important precedent.
The AFL have belatedly moved to correct an major distortion between theory (the bureaucrats in the AFL) and practice (what happens in the real world of the AFL) - ironically on the same day as an adventurous economic theory on a mining tax claimed Kevin O'Lemon.
The AFL should now move to correct the major distortion similarly created by their bending over to make sure GC and GWS are not only competitive but wildly successful, by giving them an unnaturally large amount of quality top 20 draft picks in 2009, 2010 and beyond.
This year and next, that distortion will significantly impact lower ranked teams like Richmond, who are desperate to rebuild their list with top draft picks.
It is likely to have a much more detrimental impact on bottom clubs than that of Geelong losing Ablett after winning 2 Premierships out of last 3, and likely to win another this year.
And yet the AFL has moved swiftly to rectify which distortion? Why, Geelong's, of course.
I think this is outrageous, and I think we should still be campaigning to do something about it.
Andrew Demetriou is on the record as stating that he doesn't need to do anything about this because "Richmond has not asked him for assistance".
Benny Gale does not want Richmond to appear to be weak whingers by going cap in hand and asking for draft concessions.
I argue that correcting a major draft distortion that affects not just Richmond is not our club asking for draft concessions, and that putting this argument to the AFL is something that our club should be doing.
I would also caution those thinking that this concern about our club getting stiffed in the next few drafts to the benefit of the new clubs is unnecessary, that after winning 3 of last 4 that Richmond is fine and on the way to sustained success, to reconsider. Beating the pathetic WCE and woeful BL was good fun but does not mean we are getting within striking distance of being in the same ballpark as comp benchmark Geelong.
For any supporters that might agree with my views, it's now time to do something about it. I think a start is to write to Benny Gale (c/- RFC, PO Box 48, Richmond 3121)outlining reasons why you think he should make representations to the AFL about the distortion of upcoming drafts.
If we don't show we care, sure as hell the AFL won't feel a need to do anything about it.
The AFL have belatedly moved to correct an major distortion between theory (the bureaucrats in the AFL) and practice (what happens in the real world of the AFL) - ironically on the same day as an adventurous economic theory on a mining tax claimed Kevin O'Lemon.
The AFL should now move to correct the major distortion similarly created by their bending over to make sure GC and GWS are not only competitive but wildly successful, by giving them an unnaturally large amount of quality top 20 draft picks in 2009, 2010 and beyond.
This year and next, that distortion will significantly impact lower ranked teams like Richmond, who are desperate to rebuild their list with top draft picks.
It is likely to have a much more detrimental impact on bottom clubs than that of Geelong losing Ablett after winning 2 Premierships out of last 3, and likely to win another this year.
And yet the AFL has moved swiftly to rectify which distortion? Why, Geelong's, of course.
I think this is outrageous, and I think we should still be campaigning to do something about it.
Andrew Demetriou is on the record as stating that he doesn't need to do anything about this because "Richmond has not asked him for assistance".
Benny Gale does not want Richmond to appear to be weak whingers by going cap in hand and asking for draft concessions.
I argue that correcting a major draft distortion that affects not just Richmond is not our club asking for draft concessions, and that putting this argument to the AFL is something that our club should be doing.
I would also caution those thinking that this concern about our club getting stiffed in the next few drafts to the benefit of the new clubs is unnecessary, that after winning 3 of last 4 that Richmond is fine and on the way to sustained success, to reconsider. Beating the pathetic WCE and woeful BL was good fun but does not mean we are getting within striking distance of being in the same ballpark as comp benchmark Geelong.
For any supporters that might agree with my views, it's now time to do something about it. I think a start is to write to Benny Gale (c/- RFC, PO Box 48, Richmond 3121)outlining reasons why you think he should make representations to the AFL about the distortion of upcoming drafts.
If we don't show we care, sure as hell the AFL won't feel a need to do anything about it.
