Yes, it is correct Channel Seven secured exclusive rights in its broadcast deal to air each club’s full squad ahead of each round, but it is wrong to suggest coaches or club’s will be heavily fined for discussing debutants, players in contention or potential selection surprises before the news goes to air.
Seeking clarification on the issue, I spoke with AFL media relations manager Patrick Keane and he confirmed the issue surrounds the disclosure of ‘full squads’.
“Clubs are not required to refrain from any normal team discussion/statements as part of their normal media commitments around training. IE; if a leading player has been out of the team in previous weeks due to injury/suspension and is due to return, clubs can and should declare his likely availability/unavailability as they would have done in previous years,” he explained.
It’s a far cry from what has been reported.
Keane went on to say, “The AFL’s instructions to clubs around the naming of teams has been that clubs must not detail their exact final team before the embargo on selections at 6.25pm on a Thursday.”
So for example, Brad Scott could announce a debutant like Brad McKenzie, Tom Curran, Sam Gibson, Majak Daw or Malcolm Lynch at some stage this year with no fears of a ‘please explain’ or hefty $10,000 fine.
Collingwood's Nathan Buckley and St Kilda's Scott Watters refused to comment on team news last week, but can rest a little easier now.
“The key requirement around this contractual clause is that clubs may not detail their full formal side until the deadlines above,’ Keane went on to say.
“Coaches are able to discuss players who may be available/unavailable, if they wish to do so, but are required not to detail the full list of all changes that may happen at selection. If clubs wish not to discuss selection at all, that is their choice.”
So it’s not as bad as it has been reported and the AFL is not waiting to hand fines out if any team news is discussed. It’s all about promoting the game and these guidelines are flexible enough to still achieve that.
