A standoff over payment between the AFL and Champion Data is holding up any proposed adjustments to the way clubs can name their teams on Thursday nights.
Under Champion Data’s ‘Comet’ software, clubs can only name 22 players plus emergencies.
The rigid system has frustrated senior coaches such as Damien Hardwick, Brad Scott, and Alastair Clarkson, who have been forced to ‘omit’ players instead of naming them as the sub due to the limitations of the software.
But SEN.com.au understands it would take no more than a couple of days for Champion Data’s technical team to dive into their software and add another column, just as they did in the week leading up to Round 1 two years ago when the AFL decided to introduce the medical substitute.
Champion Data is an IT company, and the AFL is one of its clients. Though its chief operating officer Aaron Cross declined to comment when contacted, it’s believed they are asking the AFL for a fee to make the change.
It’s unclear what the proposed fee is.
The league, which is a 49 per cent shareholder of Champion Data, has so far declined to pay for the additional service.
Footy fans have grown increasingly impatient with the team naming process as it impacts fantasy football and betting markets.
Champion Data built the draft software for the AFL and often works hand in hand with the league and media companies on various projects.
As it stands, clubs input their teams on a Thursday night into ‘Comet’ and then again, an hour before the first bounce.
Clubs were told last Tuesday the issue would be resolved soon. Fremantle took it upon itself to have (sub) next to Nat Fyfe’s name, even though he was under the ‘omitted’ column.
"It just makes sense (to be able to name 23),” former AFL general manager of football and current Essendon coach Brad Scott said recently.
“But having worked at the AFL I know that the lawyers would hate that because they’ve got to re-write the entire rulebook because the rulebook is written around 22 players.
“So they’ve got to change a lot of things.
“But at the end of the day, it’s doable to change it and I think it’s just logical because having to name Trent Cotchin as omitted when he’s not omitted just doesn’t feel right.
“It just creates unnecessary angst across the board.”
Clubs were asked last year whether they would prefer five on the bench or four with an additional sub. The majority preferred the latter option.