Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called for larger AFL lists and more flexible player promotion rules to help clubs navigate growing injury tolls.
Beveridge likes the idea of an extended supplementary list which clubs hit by an injury crisis, like Richmond, could access.
The long-time coach understands the finer details of such change would need to be deliberated but says the growing length of the season is too much for a list of 42.
Beveridge’s idea would not only ease injury tolls but also create more incentive for players to continue in the state leagues after being overlooked in the draft.
“I prefer no deadline, drafts are important, you need key dates and you need to prepare, plan and strategise to make sure your list is worked through in a really sophisticated way,” Beveridge said in part.
“One of the things, talking about having conversations with the AFL, I think we need more fluidity in the scope to bring players onto an AFL list to be able to play them.
“Richmond are probably now a primary example, like a supplementary list to be able to feed players into it to call on them as your injury toll worsens.
“The 23 rounds, the pre-season games are still there, when Tasmania come in there’s likely to be another round – with only 42 outside of category B, it’s not enough on a list, I don’t think.”
Beveridge expanded, suggesting the supplementary list should match the Devils’ approved 48.
“I think the opportunity to have a four to six supplementary approach and maybe even send it out a bit further for a team and club like Richmond who are really feeling the pinch with their injury toll,” Beveridge added.
“There’s a bit to work through around the detail of that and who comes off and what hold you’ve got on them at the end of the year but I really feel like we need that.
“It’s something for the future, I think the plans for Tasmania and how many they’ve got on their list.
“I think every AFL club should have the scope to have something similar if you’ve got an injury toll.”
Western Bulldogs had a difficult injury toll to work through earlier this season, losing a selection of key players in quick time.
But Beveridge is set to have James O’Donnell available this weekend and Cody Weightman and Tim English will return in coming weeks.
“We’re expecting James O’Donnell to be available, Tim is probably another week away. We’re just being conservative with him – he’s unlikely to play this week,” Beveridge said.
“Cody’s a chance next week, a handful of changes, but James is the main one (this week).
“We’ve always been a cautious bunch when it comes to affairs with the cranium, we’re just making sure (English) is going to be OK.”
