The Tasmania Devils have reportedly floated an innovative trade model to rival clubs as it looks to maximise both its draft hand and salary cap.
Plus, the true meaning behind a misleading umpiring stat that left fans “enraged”. More in AFL Daily!
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TASSIE’S BOLD DRAFT STRATEGY REVEALED
Tasmania has floated an innovative trade model to rival AFL clubs as it looks to maximise its prized draft hand while protecting its salary cap.
AFL Media reports the Devils have proposed trading some of their mandatory early draft picks for experienced players already under contract beyond their 2028 entry.
Under the concept, the player’s current club would continue paying the bulk of their salary after the trade; allowing Tasmania to add proven talent at a heavily reduced salary-cap cost.
In return, rival clubs would secure one of the Devils’ coveted early draft selections — currently picks No.1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 in 2027. Specifically, at least 5, 7, 11 and 13 from that group must be used in a trade.
In essence, rival clubs would be purchasing top draft picks by subsidising the contracts of any players of theirs who head to the Devils.
The expansion club is said to have already discussed the proposal with several clubs, given the compromised nature of draft in 2027 and 2028 while the Devils enter the league.
The strategy would also help safeguard the Devils’ future salary cap as their first wave of draftees become eligible for lucrative second contracts.
Devils break ground for new stadium | 01:50
‘ENRAGES THE FOOTBALL PUBLIC’: TRUTH BEHIND AFL’S MISLEADING STAT
Australian rules umpiring great Ray ‘Razor’ Chamberlain has explained the true meaning behind a viral stat released by the AFL’s media arm last week that left fans “enraged”.
The AFL’s social media outlet released a post last week suggesting that 93.8% of times that the whistle is blown by an umpire at senior level, a correct decision has been made.
Chamberlain himself was very surprised by the figure, leading him to investigate its true meaning.
“I’ve been in this caper for about 30 years, and I’ve never heard that term before in my life!” Chamberlain told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday.
“So, I made a few phone calls to find out what that actually means. It’s if you blow the whistle, is it a correct decision, or an unwarranted intervention?
“That’s fair enough, I can understand that part. But of course, what it doesn’t as a result take into account, is what if you miss something? You get (hit) in the head and I don’t see it … how do you compare that?”
“I don’t know who it helps. It doesn’t help the officials on the ground; they’re trying to meet the demands of a chaotic game that throws up unpredictable stuff all the time … I don’t know who this was intended to serve.
AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley added: “It enraged the football public, and anyone with an independent eye who has watched umpiring this year is just guffawing at 94%.”