One of the AFL’s most dreaded draft tests has reportedly been outlawed, with the competition supposedly putting an end to skinfold testing of draftees.
According to Channel Seven the AFL will stop teams from using the body-fat measurement out of fears of body shaming.
The edict from AFL House will force recruiters to use alternative measurements to quantify players’ fitness and physical condition.
Seven are reporting that the ban was put in place a couple of months ago, with the decision reportedly “raising eyebrows” across the league.
West Coast premiership defender Will Schofield took to Twitter to criticise the move, saying draftees are signing up to be elite athletes, not social media influencers.
This is absurd. “Fat shaming” 😂😂😂 you’re signing up to be an elite athlete, not a social media influencer.
— Will Schofield (@WillSchofield) November 6, 2021
Don’t get me wrong, I hated skinfold tests, it’s an antiquated measure of body fat percentage…. However to remove it to protect player well-being is a farken joke#afl https://t.co/kj9I8YHWqz
The National Draft will take place across two days in 2021, with November 24 and 25 being the days draft hopefuls will hope to hear their name called out by AFL clubs.