Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called for larger AFL lists and more flexible player promotion rules to help clubs navigate growing injury tolls.<\/p>\n
Beveridge likes the idea of an extended supplementary list which clubs hit by an injury crisis, like Richmond, could access.<\/p>\n
The long-time coach understands the finer details of such change would need to be deliberated but says the growing length of the season is too much for a list of 42.<\/p>\n
Beveridge\u2019s idea would not only ease injury tolls but also create more incentive for players to continue in the state leagues after being overlooked in the draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cI prefer no deadline, drafts are important, you need key dates and you need to prepare, plan and strategise to make sure your list is worked through in a really sophisticated way,\u201d Beveridge said in part.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things, talking about having conversations with the AFL, I think we need more fluidity in the scope to bring players onto an AFL list to be able to play them.<\/p>\n
\u201cRichmond are probably now a primary example, like a supplementary list to be able to feed players into it to call on them as your injury toll worsens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 23 rounds, the pre-season games are still there, when Tasmania come in there\u2019s likely to be another round \u2013 with only 42 outside of category B, it\u2019s not enough on a list, I don\u2019t think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beveridge expanded, suggesting the supplementary list should match the Devils\u2019 approved 48.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the opportunity to have a four to six supplementary approach and maybe even send it out a bit further for a team and club like Richmond who are really feeling the pinch with their injury toll,\u201d Beveridge added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a bit to work through around the detail of that and who comes off and what hold you\u2019ve got on them at the end of the year but I really feel like we need that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something for the future, I think the plans for Tasmania and how many they\u2019ve got on their list.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think every AFL club should have the scope to have something similar if you\u2019ve got an injury toll.\u201d<\/p>\n
Western Bulldogs had a difficult injury toll to work through earlier this season, losing a selection of key players in quick time.<\/p>\n
But Beveridge is set to have James O\u2019Donnell available this weekend and Cody Weightman and Tim English will return in coming weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re expecting James O\u2019Donnell to be available, Tim is probably another week away. We\u2019re just being conservative with him \u2013 he\u2019s unlikely to play this week,\u201d Beveridge said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCody\u2019s a chance next week, a handful of changes, but James is the main one (this week).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always been a cautious bunch when it comes to affairs with the cranium, we\u2019re just making sure (English) is going to be OK.\u201d<\/p>\n