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70-527: When the competition was known as the Victorian Football League (VFL), the league introduced the first incarnation of a draft system in 1981, where teams had two selections each of interstate players determined by reverse finishing position order. The draft was introduced as an equalisation strategy in response to the increasing transfer fees and player salaries at the time, which in combination with declining attendances threatened to derail

140-426: A bidding system. Next Generation Academies: Clubs outside of New South Wales and Queensland have established academies with players from multicultural and Indigenous backgrounds, meaning they have priority access to the players they’ve developed via a bidding system. Note: Clubs that have existing links to NGA players are now unable to match bids inside the top 40 selections on the prospects they’ve developed due to

210-459: A chance of receiving the best young country players. However, Carlton and Hawthorn both lodged official complaints with the VFL, as they had productive zones and were naturally unwilling to give them up for less productive ones; Thus, the zones remained the same from the inception of country zoning until it was abolished in 1986. There was also no provision for demographic changes that occurred in

280-410: A chance of receiving the best young country players. However, Carlton and Hawthorn both lodged official complaints with the VFL, as they had productive zones and were naturally unwilling to give them up for less productive ones; Thus, the zones remained the same from the inception of country zoning until it was abolished in 1986. There was also no provision for demographic changes that occurred in

350-542: A direct incentive for those AFL clubs to invest in junior development which would not otherwise have existed under the draft. Through 2015, the AFL developed a plan to enable all AFL clubs to establish similar academies, known as 'Next Generation Academies', with each club allocated a zone and juniors qualifying residentially. This was designed to give all clubs an incentive to invest directly in junior development, particularly focussing on diverse and indigenous backgrounds. As with

420-493: A direct incentive for those AFL clubs to invest in junior development which would not otherwise have existed under the draft. Through 2015, the AFL developed a plan to enable all AFL clubs to establish similar academies, known as 'Next Generation Academies', with each club allocated a zone and juniors qualifying residentially. This was designed to give all clubs an incentive to invest directly in junior development, particularly focussing on diverse and indigenous backgrounds. As with

490-499: A lesser extent Geelong ) perennially dominated the competition because their greater wealth allowed them to monopolise top country players and build up greater playing strength than was previously possible, while Footscray , North Melbourne and Fitzroy were left in grave danger of folding. The VFL's response was to zone rural Victoria and the Riverina of New South Wales in a similar manner to metropolitan Melbourne. Because of

560-444: A lesser extent Geelong ) perennially dominated the competition because their greater wealth allowed them to monopolise top country players and build up greater playing strength than was previously possible, while Footscray , North Melbourne and Fitzroy were left in grave danger of folding. The VFL's response was to zone rural Victoria and the Riverina of New South Wales in a similar manner to metropolitan Melbourne. Because of

630-535: A player could only play for the club whose district he resided in. The effect on the competitiveness of the SAFA was noteworthy: between 1877 and 1899, Norwood, South Adelaide and Port Adelaide won 22 of the 24 premierships, including several sequences of successive premierships (for instance, South Adelaide had won six of the last eight premierships to 1899, while Norwood had won 11 premierships in their first 17 years, including sequences of six and three in succession). In

700-527: A reasonably equitable competition. In the early years of Australian rules football, players, though required to be amateurs , were free agents. Problems later arose as a small number of clubs (i.e. Carlton, Geelong, South Melbourne and later Essendon in the VFA, Norwood , Port Adelaide and South Adelaide in the SAFA, and Fremantle in the WAFA) perennially dominated the competition, leaving considerable pressure on

770-495: A recent AFL rule change. To continue the traditions of association that a family has with a particular club, sons of former players are able to be selected by the same club as their father played with under the father–son rule. For clubs with an established history in the VFL/AFL (20 years or more), the father must have played at least 100 games for the club to be eligible for the father/son rule; clubs with no long term history in

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840-451: A small number of clubs (i.e. Carlton, Geelong, South Melbourne and later Essendon in the VFA, Norwood , Port Adelaide and South Adelaide in the SAFA, and Fremantle in the WAFA) perennially dominated the competition, leaving considerable pressure on the leagues to eliminate this inequality to retain interest. District football was first introduced in the SAFA in 1897, with compulsory district qualification from 1899. Under district football,

910-429: A system whereby a given area, either region or lower-level football league, is reserved exclusively for one club. Zoning has been historically an important part of most major Australian football leagues, being usually justified as necessary to ensure a reasonably equitable competition. In the early years of Australian rules football, players, though required to be amateurs , were free agents. Problems later arose as

980-549: Is a list of the number one overall draft picks since the draft's inception in 1981 : With the introduction of a women's competition in 2016 (to commence in 2017 ), a draft was set up for the AFLW. In 2016, the first draft pick was awarded to the GWS Giants by lot, though this selection would be taken after 16 selections were made for marquee players: Nicola Barr was the first player to be drafted in AFLW history. In 2018,

1050-690: The Darwin region as part of their "rescue package" announced by the AFL Zoning (Australian rules football) In Australian rules football , zoning (originally called district football , or electorate football in South Australia) refers to a system whereby a given area, either region or lower-level football league, is reserved exclusively for one club. Zoning has been historically an important part of most major Australian football leagues, being usually justified as necessary to ensure

1120-413: The father–son rule , mid-year, pre-season and rookie drafts , expansion clubs concessions and trading of players and picks have been frequently changed, but the basic premise of draft being an equalisation measure to assist poorer performing teams has remained. In the AFL draft, clubs receive picks based on the position in which they finish on the ladder during the season. The draft is held each year at

1190-562: The 1915 season under laws which required a player to play for the club in the zone he lived in unless he: Metropolitan zoning has been seen by historians of the VFL as improving the competitive balance of the league in the years following World War I . When Footscray , Hawthorn and North Melbourne were admitted for the 1925 season, they were allocated zones. Over time, boundaries were changed to cope with demographic shifts. Whilst recent studies have shown that metropolitan zoning became less effective at equalising playing strength following

1260-426: The 1950s meant that city clubs could offer much more money (even if not as direct payments) than country clubs could. This permitted wealthier clubs to circumvent the restrictions imposed by metropolitan zoning, as top country players tended to go to the club that was able to offer them most money gifts such as motor cars and signing-on fees. From the mid-1960s, Carlton , Collingwood , Essendon , Richmond (and to

1330-426: The 1950s meant that city clubs could offer much more money (even if not as direct payments) than country clubs could. This permitted wealthier clubs to circumvent the restrictions imposed by metropolitan zoning, as top country players tended to go to the club that was able to offer them most money gifts such as motor cars and signing-on fees. From the mid-1960s, Carlton , Collingwood , Essendon , Richmond (and to

1400-585: The 24 premierships, including several sequences of successive premierships (for instance, South Adelaide had won six of the last eight premierships to 1899, while Norwood had won 11 premierships in their first 17 years, including sequences of six and three in succession). In the years between 1900 and 1912, two teams who had previously been perennially close to or at the bottom of the ladder won premierships: North Adelaide in 1900, 1902, and 1905, and West Adelaide in 1908–1909 and 1911–1912 (four premierships in five years). The VFL formally adopted metropolitan zoning for

1470-551: The AFL introduced a new scheme where clubs can maintain two international rookies (excluding Irish players) outside of the regular rookie list. The rule was adjusted in 2010 to group international rookies with players recruited from other sports, and refers to them as Category B rookies. Up to three can be listed in addition to up to six Category A rookies. Zoning (Australian rules football) In Australian rules football , zoning (originally called district football , or electorate football in South Australia) refers to

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1540-552: The AFL set up four junior development academies, two each in Queensland and New South Wales, which were run by the AFL clubs based in those states ( Brisbane Lions , Gold Coast , Greater Western Sydney and Sydney ). The academies were designed to aid the development of junior footballers from the states traditionally dominated by rugby league. The AFL club which ran each academy was afforded priority access (but not exclusive access) to draft graduates from their academies, providing

1610-493: The AFL set up four junior development academies, two each in Queensland and New South Wales, which were run by the AFL clubs based in those states ( Brisbane Lions , Gold Coast , Greater Western Sydney and Sydney ). The academies were designed to aid the development of junior footballers from the states traditionally dominated by rugby league. The AFL club which ran each academy was afforded priority access (but not exclusive access) to draft graduates from their academies, providing

1680-458: The AFLW, was founded to commence in 2017. In its Draft, there is an equivalent father–daughter rule, where a daughter can be drafted if their father played one game at the club. The first use of this rule was in the 2017 Draft, when Carlton selected Abbie McKay, the daughter of Andrew McKay. Criteria are also in place for mother–son and mother–daughter rules, from such time that the children of AFLW players reach draft eligible age. Each time that

1750-402: The VFL as improving the competitive balance of the league in the years following World War I . When Footscray , Hawthorn and North Melbourne were admitted for the 1925 season, they were allocated zones. Over time, boundaries were changed to cope with demographic shifts. Whilst recent studies have shown that metropolitan zoning became less effective at equalising playing strength following

1820-496: The admittance of the three new clubs in 1925, it was already firmly accepted by the majority of club officials in most Australian rules competitions by the late 1920s, and at no stage during the following forty years was there ever any thought of abolishing it, while a tradition of club loyalty further entrenched the viewpoint that zoning was a legitimate policy. With the great urban sprawl after World War II , newly developed areas were zoned almost as soon as they were developed. In

1890-496: The admittance of the three new clubs in 1925, it was already firmly accepted by the majority of club officials in most Australian rules competitions by the late 1920s, and at no stage during the following forty years was there ever any thought of abolishing it, while a tradition of club loyalty further entrenched the viewpoint that zoning was a legitimate policy. With the great urban sprawl after World War II , newly developed areas were zoned almost as soon as they were developed. In

1960-470: The annual AFL Draft Combine at the conclusion of the AFL season, prior to the National Draft. Further smaller scale state screenings are held around the country in the weeks after the national combine. The priority draft picks were first introduced in the 1993 AFL Draft as a special assistance rule to aid teams that consistently perform poorly to obtain additional early draft selections. Under

2030-568: The case of the VFL, such areas were quite often zoned to a different club from the one who held adjacent previously developed areas, whereas the SANFL tried to keep zones contiguous. These and other leagues remained concerned about the possible impacts if zoning were removed, and this caused their zoning laws to ossify. In the early years of Australian Rules football, metropolitan clubs were unable to buy players from rural leagues. The growth of Melbourne , Adelaide and Perth due to urbanization in

2100-516: The case of the VFL, such areas were quite often zoned to a different club from the one who held adjacent previously developed areas, whereas the SANFL tried to keep zones contiguous. These and other leagues remained concerned about the possible impacts if zoning were removed, and this caused their zoning laws to ossify. In the early years of Australian Rules football, metropolitan clubs were unable to buy players from rural leagues. The growth of Melbourne , Adelaide and Perth due to urbanization in

2170-623: The club nearest to them. Most significantly, St Kilda's return to being perennially close to or on the bottom of the ladder in the mid-1970s after a period of success from 1961 to 1973 has been related to its loss of many players to Hawthorn from the Frankston area, which was already becoming part of metropolitan Melbourne when country zoning began. Defenders of country zoning have argued that it provided greater incentive for VFL clubs to look for players in country leagues, and that its abolition has meant that this incentive has been lost. In 1981,

Australian Football League draft - Misplaced Pages Continue

2240-567: The club nearest to them. Most significantly, St Kilda's return to being perennially close to or on the bottom of the ladder in the mid-1970s after a period of success from 1961 to 1973 has been related to its loss of many players to Hawthorn from the Frankston area, which was already becoming part of metropolitan Melbourne when country zoning began. Defenders of country zoning have argued that it provided greater incentive for VFL clubs to look for players in country leagues, and that its abolition has meant that this incentive has been lost. In 1981,

2310-483: The club only has access to indigenous and multicultural players in these zones. New South Wales and Queensland based teams ( Greater Western Sydney , Sydney , Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast ) are based north of the Barassi Line , to help develop the game in regions with minimal AFL presence, they were designated with Academy zones to develop players from these regions In 2019, Gold Coast were designated with

2380-423: The club only has access to indigenous and multicultural players in these zones. New South Wales and Queensland based teams ( Greater Western Sydney , Sydney , Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast ) are based north of the Barassi Line , to help develop the game in regions with minimal AFL presence, they were designated with Academy zones to develop players from these regions In 2019, Gold Coast were designated with

2450-517: The clubs with the worst zones, Melbourne and South Melbourne , took eight wooden spoons between them in that period. South Melbourne played only two finals in 1970 and 1977 , whilst Melbourne did not play a final until 1987 , after country zoning had been abolished. Some writers on VFL history have argued that the inequalities created by country zoning were much greater than those created by club wealth beforehand and that some clubs lost many players they would have gained were players able to move to

2520-517: The clubs with the worst zones, Melbourne and South Melbourne , took eight wooden spoons between them in that period. South Melbourne played only two finals in 1970 and 1977 , whilst Melbourne did not play a final until 1987 , after country zoning had been abolished. Some writers on VFL history have argued that the inequalities created by country zoning were much greater than those created by club wealth beforehand and that some clubs lost many players they would have gained were players able to move to

2590-536: The competition has an expansion team, the AFL give special priority to the new club, with the new club receiving numerous high draft picks. For most of its existence, the National Draft has been held at a large function or convention centre with many of the predicted top draft selections in attendance. Since 1993, the National draft has been televised live, pick-by-pick, while the mid-year (1990–1993), pre-season and rookie drafts have never been televised. As of 2021,

2660-474: The competition less competitive than ever (only six clubs had made the Grand Final since 1972), reform of the system of player trading began. Zoning was replaced with a player draft , which studies have shown to be much more effective at equalising club strength than country zoning ever was. In competitions such as the SANFL and WAFL , however, country and metropolitan zoning are still used today, despite

2730-414: The competition less competitive than ever (only six clubs had made the Grand Final since 1972), reform of the system of player trading began. Zoning was replaced with a player draft , which studies have shown to be much more effective at equalising club strength than country zoning ever was. In competitions such as the SANFL and WAFL , however, country and metropolitan zoning are still used today, despite

2800-514: The declarations concerning their use in the VFL. The SANFL, which introduced country zoning in South Australia in 1973 has made efforts to make country zoning less inflexible than it proved in the VFL through making provisions for the adjustment of zone boundaries. In the WAFL, however, there is already a distinct concern country zoning is creating inequalities in available talent. In 2010,

2870-399: The declarations concerning their use in the VFL. The SANFL, which introduced country zoning in South Australia in 1973 has made efforts to make country zoning less inflexible than it proved in the VFL through making provisions for the adjustment of zone boundaries. In the WAFL, however, there is already a distinct concern country zoning is creating inequalities in available talent. In 2010,

Australian Football League draft - Misplaced Pages Continue

2940-553: The end of November, to allow the draftees to finish their school examinations before being drafted. From the 2009 draft, players must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year in which they are drafted, so that players who turn 18 during their first months of Year 12 will be able to finish studying without the pressure of AFL. This was increased over the past few years due to concerns about school age players potentially having to leave home to play football interstate. A selection of approximately 50 players are chosen to attend

3010-501: The end of the season to gain access to the additional draft picks, although the AFL itself never brought such accusations against any club. Northern Club Academies: GWS , Sydney , Gold Coast and Brisbane all have club-based academies that help develop talented athletes, sometimes from before they’re teenagers, into AFL prospects in markets where the code isn’t seen as the No. 1 sport. The four clubs have priority access to those players via

3080-478: The first pick to the Western Bulldogs; in 2019, expansion club Richmond traded the first pick to the Western Bulldogs; and in 2023 Sydney traded the first pick to Geelong in a once-off overage draft. Held at the same time as the pre-season draft, the rookie draft is a chance for clubs to recruit players for their Rookie list. Rookies are usually picked as young, developing players and can be elevated from

3150-414: The first pick was awarded to Geelong as one of the expansion clubs for the 2019 season , and in 2022, the first pick awarded to Sydney as one of the expansion clubs for Season 7: in both years, this was determined by lot from the four expansion clubs. As of 2022, five of the eight seasons have seen the first pick go to the club who finished last, or an expansion club in its first draft: in 2017, GWS traded

3220-406: The highest bidder. Earlier versions of the father–son rule allowed the sons to be recruited automatically, without need for the draft, or allowed the club to recruit the son using a third round draft pick. The father–son rule itself was introduced in 1949, more than three decades prior to the draft, and it could be used to contravene zoning rules. On 15 September 2016, an AFL women's competition,

3290-401: The league had different eligibility criteria based on their state leagues. Under current rules, players eligible under the father–son rule are selected in a bidding system prior to the draft. Firstly, any club in the league may nominate a draft pick with which it intends to take the eligible son; then, if the father's club wishes to draft the son, it must use its next available draft pick, after

3360-434: The league. It was also a result of the failure of country zoning , introduced in 1967, which had led to a systematic inequality whereby the clubs with the best zones, like Carlton and Hawthorn , could dominate over clubs with poorer zones like Melbourne . In 1986, the first of the modern VFL Drafts was held. The draft was run in conjunction with the existing zone system. Players from West Australian Football League and

3430-405: The leagues to eliminate this inequality to retain interest. District football was first introduced in the SAFA in 1897, with compulsory district qualification from 1899. Under district football, a player could only play for the club whose district he resided in. The effect on the competitiveness of the SAFA was noteworthy: between 1877 and 1899, Norwood, South Adelaide and Port Adelaide won 22 of

3500-552: The new West Coast Eagles were excluded from the 1986 draft, with the Eagles able to recruit up to 35 West Australian players with no more than 6 players from any single WAFL club. The other new club for the 1987 VFL season , the Brisbane Bears , received 6 concessionary picks before the other clubs and exclusive access to all Queensland based players. Since then, the rules associated with priority picks , zone allocations,

3570-439: The northern clubs' academies, a club will have the ability to draft its academy's graduates with a discounted draft pick, but will not have exclusive recruitment rights. In February 2016, the AFL announced the allocation of Victorian, Tasmanian and Northern Territorian zones amongst the ten Victorian clubs; unlike historical zones, not all clubs were given both a metropolitan and a country zone, with most clubs receiving either one or

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3640-439: The northern clubs' academies, a club will have the ability to draft its academy's graduates with a discounted draft pick, but will not have exclusive recruitment rights. In February 2016, the AFL announced the allocation of Victorian, Tasmanian and Northern Territorian zones amongst the ten Victorian clubs; unlike historical zones, not all clubs were given both a metropolitan and a country zone, with most clubs receiving either one or

3710-399: The number one draft pick was taken by the last-placed team from the previous season, or an expansion team in its first draft, in 31 of the 38 drafts. Years where this was not the case are: Despite the expectations of the number one pick, not all have forged successful VFL/AFL careers. Adam Cooney , the first pick of the 2003 AFL draft , was the first number one draft pick to be awarded

3780-407: The other. North Melbourne was designated Tasmania at large. South Australian and Western Australian AFL clubs ( Adelaide , Port Adelaide , Fremantle and West Coast ) were designated SANFL and WAFL clubs and their respective country and metropolitan zones. In 2017, Greater Western Sydney 's academy rules were changed for its Albury, Riverina and Sunraysia zones in southern New South Wales,

3850-407: The other. North Melbourne was designated Tasmania at large. South Australian and Western Australian AFL clubs ( Adelaide , Port Adelaide , Fremantle and West Coast ) were designated SANFL and WAFL clubs and their respective country and metropolitan zones. In 2017, Greater Western Sydney 's academy rules were changed for its Albury, Riverina and Sunraysia zones in southern New South Wales,

3920-645: The prestigious Brownlow Medal (in 2008), and remains the only first pick Brownlow Medallist to date. In the same year, Luke Hodge , the number one pick in 2001, won the Norm Smith Medal with Hawthorn, and remains the only first-pick Norm Smith Medallist to date. No number one selection has yet been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame . Only five number one picks have won a premiership ( Drew Banfield , Des Headland , Luke Hodge , Tom Boyd and Cam Rayner ). The following

3990-437: The rookie list during the year, if there is a long-term injury or retirement to a senior player in the team. Once the rookie is elevated, he remains that way until the end of the year, where they can be officially upgraded to the senior list, or placed back on the rookie list, or delisted/not offered a new contract. Teams are allowed to have four to six rookies, but the Queensland and NSW teams may have more. The first rookie draft

4060-467: The rules in place since the 2012 season, priority draft picks are given out to struggling teams at the discretion of the AFL Commission. This replaced a system in which a priority draft pick was automatically given to team whose win–loss record fell below a pre-defined value; this had become controversial, and there were accusations by commentators that teams out of finals contention would tank at

4130-458: The rules, South was not punished. The Foschini Case of 1983, where teenage rover/forward, Silvio Foschini did not want to move to Sydney when South Melbourne did so in 1981/1982 but was refused a clearance to play with St Kilda , declared previously unchallenged zoning an illegal labour market restraint. Although the VFL retained zoning for two more years, it had to radically alter the system of clearances and player contracts, and in 1985, with

4200-458: The rules, South was not punished. The Foschini Case of 1983, where teenage rover/forward, Silvio Foschini did not want to move to Sydney when South Melbourne did so in 1981/1982 but was refused a clearance to play with St Kilda , declared previously unchallenged zoning an illegal labour market restraint. Although the VFL retained zoning for two more years, it had to radically alter the system of clearances and player contracts, and in 1985, with

4270-468: The sparseness of Australia's rural population, the country zones related not to the player’s address , but rather to the league in which he played . This difference made zone boundaries effectively impossible to adjust, and was a critical component of the failure of country zoning: the VFL was aware that discrepancies existed in the strength of each zone, and it was originally planned that the zones would be rotated every year so that each club would obtain

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4340-468: The sparseness of Australia's rural population, the country zones related not to the player’s address , but rather to the league in which he played . This difference made zone boundaries effectively impossible to adjust, and was a critical component of the failure of country zoning: the VFL was aware that discrepancies existed in the strength of each zone, and it was originally planned that the zones would be rotated every year so that each club would obtain

4410-503: The system of player permits based on country and metropolitan zoning was threatened by two cases. In the better-known of these, a full-back from SANFL club West Torrens, Doug Cox , had his permit to play with St Kilda challenged because he had played in 1975 for South Mildura, which was within Richmond's country zone. St Kilda temporarily lost eight points for two wins against Footscray and Melbourne, later reinstated on appeal, and

4480-447: The system of player permits based on country and metropolitan zoning was threatened by two cases. In the better-known of these, a full-back from SANFL club West Torrens, Doug Cox , had his permit to play with St Kilda challenged because he had played in 1975 for South Mildura, which was within Richmond's country zone. St Kilda temporarily lost eight points for two wins against Footscray and Melbourne, later reinstated on appeal, and

4550-593: The various country zones, which exacerbated the problems mentioned above. Although the more even distribution of top country players at the beginning of the 1970s was such that the SANFL and WAFL quickly adopted country zoning, its gains were very short-lived. Carlton, Richmond , Hawthorn and North Melbourne won every VFL premiership between 1967 and 1983, a period of dominance not known in any other era, as strong country zones gave these clubs lists more powerful than any club could build without zoning. In contrast,

4620-542: The various country zones, which exacerbated the problems mentioned above. Although the more even distribution of top country players at the beginning of the 1970s was such that the SANFL and WAFL quickly adopted country zoning, its gains were very short-lived. Carlton, Richmond , Hawthorn and North Melbourne won every VFL premiership between 1967 and 1983, a period of dominance not known in any other era, as strong country zones gave these clubs lists more powerful than any club could build without zoning. In contrast,

4690-467: The years between 1900 and 1912, two teams who had previously been perennially close to or at the bottom of the ladder won premierships: North Adelaide in 1900, 1902, and 1905, and West Adelaide in 1908–1909 and 1911–1912 (four premierships in five years). The VFL formally adopted metropolitan zoning for the 1915 season under laws which required a player to play for the club in the zone he lived in unless he: Metropolitan zoning has been seen by historians of

4760-526: Was fined $ 5,000 for playing Cox in the first eight rounds. Soon afterward, South Melbourne centre-half forward Michael Smith admitted he gave false information on his application for a permit to play with South, and his true address was in St Kilda's zone. South was going to lose four points but since the VFL, challenged by the Cox case to be more lenient about its now-archaic zoning laws, was considering changing

4830-421: Was fined $ 5,000 for playing Cox in the first eight rounds. Soon afterward, South Melbourne centre-half forward Michael Smith admitted he gave false information on his application for a permit to play with South, and his true address was in St Kilda's zone. South was going to lose four points but since the VFL, challenged by the Cox case to be more lenient about its now-archaic zoning laws, was considering changing

4900-541: Was the 1997 rookie draft (which followed the 1996 AFL draft and is technically lumped in with this draft for recordkeeping purposes). Rookies are also available to be selected from overseas countries and players on the list do not count towards the salary cap . Notable examples are Irish Tommy Walsh of Sydney ; Canadian Mike Pyke of Sydney , a former rugby union international ; and Americans Seamus McNamara and Mason Cox , both former college basketball players who were rookie listed by Collingwood . In 2006,

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