AFL considering top-up pool of replacement players for 2022

[GVGjr]

AFL considering top-up pool of replacement players for 2022

The AFL is considering creating a pool of top-up players should teams need to replace those with COVID or in isolation in 2022.

AFL Media’s Damian Barrett is reporting that the league is in discussions about how the pool would work, stating that it would be made up of state-league players and those willing with AFL experience.

This would be similar to the top-up pool created by the Big Bash League this season.

This pool could see a player playing for one club in Round 1 and another club in Round 2, if required.

The report goes on to suggest the AFL has made it clear to clubs they want to push through the season as scheduled regardless of how many players are unavailable.

The AFLW season has already been hit hard by Omicron, with three games postponed and scheduled fixtures shuffled to accommodate those matches.

The AFL season gets underway on March 16th with the Grand Final replay between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

[Axe Man]

Surely it would be more sensible to allow clubs to call up players from their reserves/aligned club if necessary. Someone completely from the outside is not going to know the systems, plus they could then go and share what they learn with another club. It is completely different to cricket which is a team game essentially played individually.

[GVGjr]

Surely it would be more sensible to allow clubs to call up players from their reserves/aligned club if necessary. Someone completely from the outside is not going to know the systems, plus they could then go and share what they learn with another club. It is completely different to cricket which is a team game essentially played individually.

Yep, let each club start working with 3 or 4 extra players now.
If the article is correct it's a poorly thought out suggestion by the AFL.

[mjp]

Yep, let each club start working with 3 or 4 extra players now.
If the article is correct it's a poorly thought out suggestion by the AFL.

I get what you're saying but the AFL pool could be set up with:

x Ruckman
x Key backs
etc.

3 or 4 players a club can work with? Well, what type of player do you get?

I don't mind it.

[jeemak]

Who'd have thought everyone getting sick all at once would cause issues............

[GVGjr]

I get what you're saying but the AFL pool could be set up with:

x Ruckman
x Key backs
etc.

3 or 4 players a club can work with? Well, what type of player do you get?

I don't mind it.

From my perspective that is on the clubs to work out a spread of players that adds coverage to any areas they might not be deep at.
I'd rather be working with some players now to get them up to speed rather than trying to be first in with the buzzer to land a ruck man or key defender as an example. It could be as simple as looking to add a backman, forward midfielder and ruckman to provide additional coverage.

If I was assessing our list I'd be looking a ruck man or two and a key defender or forward.
Lets see if we could mend a bridge with Jack Trengove or ask the question of Paul Hunter, Archie Smith, Shaun McKernan or Austin Bradtke if they want to start training with the Footscray players. Then there is state league players like Blake Schlensog and Mitch Cox to consider.

Surely it's better to start working with a spread of players now rather trying bring someone in from a pool of players 5 days before a game? How do we select a player at short notice who may not be fit enough and doesn't understand our set up.

The concept might be OK but is it really practical?

[Hotdog60]

Could this in some way compromise the game.
If player A plays for us this week and gets a quick insight to our game plan and then the following week player A is playing for a team against us.
Would he give up some information to help his current side or let the team know a couple of our players are carrying injuries making them a target.
I think the VFL guys should get first look in aswell.

[MrMahatma]

There’s a money making reality TV angle here.

[boydogs]

I can see this going pear shaped. Sam Darcy without debuting becomes a close contact so we can borrow a ruck better than any on our list