The AFL has knocked back Carlton’s request for an additional draft pick as they look to replace retired defender Liam Jones.
The veteran chose to end his AFL career rather than take a COVID-19 vaccination, the only player in the league currently to make that decision.
The Blues will be able to replace him on their list, but league HQ knocked back their request for an additional draft pick on Thursday night, according to club CEO Brian Cook.
“We requested that we pick up a compensatory pick through one of the drafts either the National Draft or the Rookie Draft or the Pre-Season Draft, but they (the AFL) knocked that back last night actually,” Cook told SEN Breakfast.
Cook added that the Blues will replace Jones via the supplementary selection period closer to the 2022 season.
“We will get a replacement, but it’ll be from our supplementary list and that is we grab a group of players and watch them train after all the drafts are finished and we’ll pick one of those players,” he said.
With other clubs potentially also needing to move players to their inactive list for COVID reasons, the AFL could not give Carlton an extra draft pick in case another club found themselves in the same situation after the National Draft.
“The reason it has gone this way is because there might be other clubs in the same boat, and it’s a timing issue (with the draft next week), and each club will be treated the same way,” Cook added.
Cook expressed some frustration about Jones’ decision to call time on his career.
“It would be wrong if I said I was comfortable, I’m not. Here is a guy with great talent, he’s been through football life the hard way and has really made a name for himself in the later stages of his career only to retire, I think, prematurely,” he said.
“But it’s his decision. I respect the fact that he had the right to make that decision.
“I, like a lot of other people, don’t feel comfortable with it, but acknowledge that he’s made that decision and it’s his life and we’ll just have to get on with ours and find a replacement.”
Jones has been an integral part of Carlton’s best 22 since being re-invented as a key defender.
Subscribe to the SEN YouTube channel for the latest videos!