AFLW in uproar on draft integrity

THE AFL is in talks with clubs over an alleged integrity issue surrounding next week’s AFL Women’s draft and its potential No.1 pick.

A meeting was to be held on Thursday afternoon between six Victorian clubs and the AFL in the wake of two top Victorian draft prospects nominating Sydney as their intended destination in recent days.

Potential No.1 pick Montana Ham and fellow top prospect Sofia Hurley – two of Victoria’s most impressive young players – have nominated for the NSW draft pool, opting to leave their state.

Ham’s manager, Alex Saundry, said this week that Ham’s decision was “a university and lifestyle choice”.

Both players are expected to be taken by Sydney, which has the first five selections in the NSW pool.

It has also been alleged by Victorian clubs – which were to detail their concerns to the league in the meeting – that some interstate clubs may have been offering contracts to draftees, including incentives outside of their playing contract as further impetus to nominate outside their home state.

It was an issue that was raised to the AFL Women’s competition committee in the wake of Gold Coast young gun Charlie Rowbottom’s shock call to nominate Queensland as her draft destination at the end of last year. But despite being aware of apparent grievances from some clubs, the league did not act.

Many clubs feel that they are not on an even playing field when it comes to drafting players, with one club insider suggesting that any such action could even constitute conduct prejudicial to the draft.

“A full pitch to draftees isn’t something you’re supposed to do,” they said. “Then, it’s not a draft.”

As part of the league’s integrity investigation, some prospective AFLW players and their families have been interviewed by headquarters.

It is believed that as recently as a few weeks ago, Ham – who is 17 and due to finish her Year 12 studies in coming months – had indicated that she had intentions to stay in Victoria to play.

The league runs a statebased draft, where players can only nominate one state to play in.

In the wake of the top pair’s decision, clubs revolted against both the system and the strategies allegedly being employed with players nominating outside their home state.

Border talent Zarlie Goldsworthy was on the record as recently as last month declaring that she felt Victoria would be the place for her, before pivoting to nominate NSW this week.

She could end up being selected by Greater Western Sydney.