GC bolstered by draft picks
04/09/2008 6:42 PM
of the AFL's premier midfielders in the same team in Hodge, Judd, Ball and Dal Santo plus one of the league's most improved big men in Hale.
AFL national development manager David Matthews said based on early research - with the players available in the 2010 national draft having taken part in this year's national under 16 championships - the 2010 national draft was shaping up as 'a normal draft' rather than a super draft like 2001 or a slightly weaker draft such as 2002.
Matthews said the AFL expected the Gold Coast team to be 'competitive' in year one but not an instant powerhouse.
"We defined 'competitive' as being in year one, somewhere like five to six wins with a percentage of 80, 80-plus," Matthews said.
"We do think the percentage a new franchise can achieve in their first year is a pretty good indication of how competitive they are within games."
Matthews said the new rules - which were agreed to by the 16 clubs - endeavoured to make sure that what was delivered to the Gold Coast was fair but without disadvantaging the existing clubs who will be compensated with a draft pick if they lose players to the new outfit.
"We're comfortable that we've given the Gold Coast a fair and balanced opportunity and done it in a way that creates good opportunities for the existing clubs," he said.