The AFL’s expansion to 18 teams means the talent pool will become more diluted and clubs are reacting to this by seeking new ways to find players. It presents a new challenge for footy clubs and it’s interesting to observe their different methods.When the Gold Coast and West Sydney clubs do arrive on the AFL scene in 2011 and 2012 respectively, they’ll be allowed squad lists of 44-50 players each along with nine rookies, meaning the league will suddenly need over a hundred extra players.
It’s obvious this will stretch the pool of Aussie Rules talent available and its already been said this year’s draft is thin on talent as a result of concessions given to the newboys.
This fact didn’t seem to be lost on clubs at Trade Week last month, which was an unusually busy period with plenty of movement between teams.
Ross Lyon, who took St Kilda to the Grand Final this year, has had plenty of success with recycling players (there were seven players in the Grand Final team who started their AFL careers elsewhere) and perhaps some clubs are keen to follow that example.
But offering footballers a second chance is just one method which clubs are opting for as they brace for the arrival of the two new clubs.
Collingwood perhaps have made the biggest splash this week by signing an American former professional basketballer by the name of Seamus McNamara...continued
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