Essendon Bombers, like Carlton Blues and Port Adelaide Power, lobby AFL to delay change to draft rules as father-son prospect Koby Bewick looms
At a time when rivals can quickly turn into allies and vice versa, Essendon have found common cause with Carlton, particularly on the draft rules for father-sons.
The Bombers have joined the Blues in calling for the AFL hierarchy to rethink its plan to change draft tender rules for father-sons. The Bombers, under energetic new chairman Andrew Welsh, have made a strong case for maintaining the status quo until the agreed draft with Tasmanian accession is completed.
Welsh confirmed on Monday that Essendon’s stance on the proposed changes the AFL recently put on hold was “the same as that of their ancient foes Carlton”. Both clubs have talented father and sons in Cody Walker (Carlton) and Koby Bewick (son of Essendon double premiership player Darren) due in 2026 and 2027 respectively, and they don’t want the rule to change before they can lick the ice cream.
Welsh described this byline and the draft rules (which included the academies) about father-son: “Push back. Publish post-Tasmanian compromise.”
“I don’t see what the reason is for doing this now. We put a lot of time into programs to help nurture father-son talent, as clubs do, we spend a lot of time developing them because for me the family lineage within football clubs is something that’s special to our game.”
“And if the AFL looks like it’s changing, I don’t think now is the right time. We’re already coming into a tough time with the expansion squad and draft drafts. I think there’s a lot to take on.”
The Welshman has also been quietly lobbying the AFL, where Craig Drummond is the new president. Drummond is certainly listening to the pitch that the Bombers and Blues, along with Port Adelaide (which also added elite NGA recruit Doug Cochrane this year), are making as a matter of fairness.
Essendon had access to Alwyn’s sons, the Davey brothers, as a late selection. Neither of them could become long-term players. Their last gun son was Joe Daniher, the laconic scion of the Daniher clan who fled the fray at Essendon to develop in Brisbane.
The AFL was ready to implement new rules that would make it much more expensive for clubs to select father-son and academy players who receive early offers. For example, Port calculated that if he drafted Cochrane with the No. 1 pick, it would potentially cost him four, eight or so picks. In fact, this could eliminate Zak Butters’ return if (or, more likely, when) he leaves this year.
The Essendon and Carlton case is based on the idea that other clubs have thrived under father-son and academy rules – Brisbane spectacularly in 2022, previously Collingwood, Dogs and Geelong (plus the Swans and Suns academies) – and that it is not fair to change that when it is their turn. Neither they nor Port say the rule should change. They want a stay of enforcement on the old rule.
Welsh also added the angle that unlocking Essendon’s vast and secretive fan base is a gold mine for the competition (the same goes for Carlton, who play in at least the preliminary final in 2023).
“I really felt like they were [the AFL] Feeling understanding from Drummond and the manager, Welsh said: “Because no matter what people say, a good Essendon is a good AFL. We’ve got over a million supporters across the country… we’re everywhere. After a while a lot of them became inactive.
“As we look at the growth of the game into new territories and all these new parts of Queensland and NSW, we have a million fans inactive… that is a huge growth area not only for our club but for the AFL.”
With three of Melbourne’s four biggest clubs – Essendon, Carlton and Richmond – sitting at the bottom of the table, Collingwood’s cash cow may also be headed for recession. In Andrew Demetriou’s days, there was a slim chance that such a scenario would result in a pragmatic decision that would help the struggling powerhouses move up the ladder.
What will Drummond’s commission do? As has been said in this column, the transformation of the rule into the rule accepted by almost everyone is no longer a fait accompli. To put it wisely, Essendon and Carlton’s argument is about a delay, not a cancellation of the rule change.
There is already a delay in the decision. Race followers know that the longer punters wait for the outcome of a protest, the more likely it is that the protest will be approved.
Bewick is only one actor, even if he is outstanding. Welsh’s position on the current Dons roster is that every player should have the opportunity to become a world-class player.
“We believe that every player on our list will have the opportunity to play in the next Premier League. Our oldest player at the moment is Zach.” [Merrett].
“So we believe that what we have created and the list of players that we have created and will continue to build will give every player the opportunity to play in our next championship.”
Wisely, the Welsh would not stick to the calendar at a club that has not won a final since the Iraq War. “If we had said we would win a premiership or be in contention by this date, that’s not quite true [what] fact is that. “We don’t want to lie to our club and fans with unrealistic expectations, but we don’t hide from expectations either.”
Welsh said a new five-year plan will be put forward at Essendon, starting from 2027.
Whether or not Brad Scott goes beyond his contract as Welsh clearly wants, the plan, with few shortcuts, seems likely to continue under this chairman and board.
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Jake Niall is a Walkley-winning sports journalist and The Age’s chief AFL writer.Connect with: X or email.
