The AFLPA is looking into the private draft camp recently run by Connors Sports.
More than 20 players eligible for the 2020 and 2021 Drafts, headlined by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Nick Daicos, took part in a two-day program held three weeks ago by the high-flying management group.
A stack of recruiters made the trip to the Mornington Peninsula, appreciating the initiative and desperate to see some talent on show given this year’s lack of competition.
But such is the dog-eat-dog nature of AFL player management, some rival agents raised the alarm with the AFLPA, which is asking questions over the legality of the camp.
Not every draft prospect in Sorrento had been signed by Connors Sports, which includes agents Paul Connors, Robbie D'Orazio, Nathan Freeman and Nick Gieschen.
Under AFL rules, players aren’t allowed to officially sign with agents until immediately after the draft in the year preceding their own draft year, which will come later this year for the 2021 crop that includes Daicos and Tyler Sonsie – Vic Metro’s best player at last year’s Under 16 carnival.
But agents are permitted to first approach players from October 1 in their top-age year of under-16s.
It’s understood James Gallagher, the AFLPA’s general manager of legal and player affairs, will this week decide whether the camp breached any rules.
As revealed by SEN in June, the AFL has finalised plans for a six-week NAB League season starting on August 22.
The SANFL under-18 league resumed last month, while the WAFL started again on July 18. The NEAFL 2020 season was cancelled.