Hardwick Defends Northern Academies Amid AFL Draft Controversy
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has strongly responded to criticism from St Kilda’s Ross Lyon, who accused the AFL of implementing a “compromised draft” system. Hardwick expressed his disappointment that the league is tightening access to talent from northern academies, which he believes are crucial for the growth of Australian football.
The AFL is moving forward with changes that will impact father-son prospects and all academy (northern and next generation) selections, despite pushback from several clubs. Lyon recently argued that the AFL hasn’t gone far enough in overhauling the draft, which expanded to 25 picks in the first round last year instead of the expected 18.
St Kilda, led by president Andrew Bassat, has been vocal about wanting reform, particularly targeting Queensland teams for their access to academy talent. However, Hardwick has continued to defend the northern academies, highlighting their role in growing the game.
“Our greatest asset to growing the game, getting more kids playing the game and getting more money into the game, is by getting more talent playing the game,” Hardwick said. “And if you want to sit there and say it’s a compromise, I’m looking at it more from a growth perspective. It is a progressive thing the AFL has done (introducing northern academies). Now all of a sudden we’re starting to wheel that back.”
Sydney coach Dean Cox also voiced his support for treating northern academy players differently from father-son prospects, emphasizing the time, effort, and resources required to nurture talent that might otherwise be lost to the AFL. The Swans plan to propose financial compensation for NSW and Queensland clubs that lose academy talent to rival teams.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley expressed his disappointment that the Giants will face greater costs for developing academy players. The AFL confirmed the controversial changes will take effect immediately ahead of the 2026 draft, with AFL football performance boss Greg Swann defending the move.
Carlton and Port Adelaide were among the clubs that lobbied for a delay until at least 2027, as both have elite father-son talent available in this year’s draft. Carlton coach Michael Voss echoed club president Rob Priestley’s frustration that clubs were denied a “runway” into the changes.
However, they had some warning about the changes, as Swann made it clear this week. “We felt like the immediacy of that was just a little bit too tight,” Voss said. “But I guess with the estimation of something happening, we tried to future-proof ourselves last year. The decisions we made going into last year’s trade period were all for this part. So we are well positioned for it – we’re very well positioned for it – but at the same time I think with an element of fairness maybe in another 12 months we could’ve implemented this.”
Carlton is focused on drafting father-son prospect Cody Walker, who will make his VFL debut for the Blues this weekend. Walker, 18, is the son of former Carlton star Andrew Walker, who played 202 games for the club between 2004 and 2016.
“It’s just fantastic for us and, as I said, we’ve put ourselves in a great position to be able to get him when we need to,” Voss said. “But it’s particularly pleasing to see he’s playing some VFL football with us. He’ll have a few games with us this year, which is just going to be a huge advantage for us.”
