Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick wants father-son rule scrapped
As Brisbane prepares to launch into a bid for back-to-back premierships with superstar brothers Will and Levi Ashcroft, while leaders Collingwood boast Nick and Josh Daicos, Garlick declared the modern game couldn't keep limiting access to the best young talent.
The Ashcroft brothers, including Norm Smith medallist Will, were both likely No.1 picks who went to the Lions because of their father, Marcus, a 300-gamer for Brisbane who had first access to them.
Similarly, Nick Daicos was widely considered the best player in his draft but went at four due to Collingwood's bid, while Western Bulldogs 'unicorn' Sam Darcy, the son of club great Luke, has emerged as a potential $2m-a-season player and was another father-son product.
Even of one of the modern-day greats, dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett Jr, started his career and played in premierships with Geelong because of the link with his legendary father, Gary Ablett Sr.
Having been unable to get its hands on any of them, Garlick said the romantic notion of the rule was now outweighed by the need for equal access in the pursuit of premierships.
'The father-son is just pot luck,' he said.
'So from my perspective I just think when you've got players the like of the Ashcrofts, Sam Darcy – they're generational players – and we're all working towards trying to win flags by building great cultures, attracting and retaining talent, and doing things on an even playing field.
'It's one that I don't see as having a place in the contemporary game, albeit understanding it's lovely from a historical perspective and the culture of the game. I get that.
'But it just doesn't feel right to me.'
Garlick said the draft was the 'most critical equalisation measure in the game' and shouldn't be compromised anymore.
'I understand that we're going to have some concessions that are provided with it,' he told SEN.
'We want to encourage the game in the northern markets and we're supportive of that. We want to make sure we reach these people who might not necessarily play the game at a regular level.'
The AFL has given no indication that the father-son rule would be revisited.
The Dockers have one father-son player on their list, Jaren Carr, only the club's second father-son player after Brett Peake.
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