The son of an Essendon gun behind the Bombers’ fight to delay draft rule change |
The son of an Essendon gun behind the Bombers’ fight to delay draft rule change
April 14, 2026 — 5:52pm
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In a time when adversaries can turn quickly into allies and vice versa, Essendon have found common cause with Carlton on the issue of the draft rules, in particular for father-sons.
The Bombers have joined the Blues in pushing hard for the AFL hierarchy to rethink the plan to change the draft bidding rules for father-sons. Under an energetic new president in Andrew Welsh, the Bombers have made a powerful case for the status quo to remain until the drafts compromised by Tasmania’s entry are completed.
Welsh confirmed on Monday that Essendon’s position on the proposed changes – which the AFL has put on hold lately – was the “same as Carlton”, their ancient foe. Both clubs have talented prospective father-sons, Cody Walker (Carlton) and Koby Bewick (son of Essendon dual premiership player Darren), in 2026 and 2027 respectively, and don’t want the rule changed until they’ve had their lick of the ice cream.
“Push it back. Post the compromise, post-Tasmania,” Welsh told this masthead of the father-son and draft rules (which include academies).
“I don’t understand what the reason to be doing it now is. We put a lot of time into the programs, as clubs do, to help nurture father-son talent, put a lot of time into developing them because, for me, the family lineage within football clubs is something........