Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick wants father-son rule scrapped
As Brisbane prepares to launch into a bid for back-to-back premierships with superstar brothers Will and Levi Ashcroft, while leaders Collingwood boast Nick and Josh Daicos, Garlick declared the modern game couldn't keep limiting access to the best young talent.
The Ashcroft brothers, including Norm Smith medallist Will, were both likely No.1 picks who went to the Lions because of their father, Marcus, a 300-gamer for Brisbane who had first access to them.
Similarly, Nick Daicos was widely considered the best player in his draft but went at four due to Collingwood's bid, while Western Bulldogs 'unicorn' Sam Darcy, the son of club great Luke, has emerged as a potential $2m-a-season player and was another father-son product.
Even of one of the modern-day greats, dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett Jr, started his career and played in premierships with Geelong because of the link with his legendary father, Gary Ablett Sr.
Having been unable to get its hands on any of them, Garlick said the romantic notion of the rule was now outweighed by the need for equal access in the pursuit of premierships.
'The father-son is just pot luck,' he said.
'So from my perspective I just think when you've got players the like of the Ashcrofts, Sam Darcy – they're generational players – and we're all working towards trying to win flags by building great cultures, attracting and retaining talent, and doing things on an even playing field.
'It's one that I don't see as having a place in the contemporary game, albeit understanding it's lovely from a historical perspective and the culture of the game. I get that.
'But it just doesn't feel right to me.'
Garlick said the draft was the 'most critical equalisation measure in the game' and shouldn't be compromised anymore.
'I understand that we're going to have some concessions that are provided with it,' he told SEN.
'We want to encourage the game in the northern markets and we're supportive of that. We want to make sure we reach these people who might not necessarily play the game at a regular level.'
The AFL has given no indication that the father-son rule would be revisited.
The Dockers have one father-son player on their list, Jaren Carr, only the club's second father-son player after Brett Peake.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
29 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Popular bread brand sues for $2.5 million
A popular Aussie bread brand has sued its flour mill for $2.5 million in damages after accusing it of 'nosediving' the quality of its bread with 'inconsistent' flour. Nonna's Bakehouse – which supplies more than 100 different types of baked goods to Woolworths, Aldi and Harris Farm – and Ben Furney Flour Mills battled it out in the NSW Supreme Court this week as part of an ongoing disagreement between the two companies. The Dubbo-based flour mill lodged the legal action, which sought $800,000 from the bakery for the unpaid invoices from 2022, with Nonna's countersuing for $2.5 million for a breach of contract. The court heard how the bakehouse's issues began in 2021 when its bread became water absorbent and 'sticky' with director Francesco Sergi urging the flour mill to 'fix the issue'. Despite test runs, visits to the factory and meetings, Ben Furney Flour Mills was unable to identify any issues with the flour provided. The court heard how the bakery's research and production manager, Jorge Gironda, pleaded with the flour mill to: 'Please provide us with the right fuel to run the Ferrari.' In May 2022, Nonna's stopped paying invoices to the flour mill, resulting in the flour mill ceasing supply in August. However, Justice Kelly Ann Rees found the change came after Nonna's changed its head baker, who resigned in September/October 2021, with Mr Gironda taking over. Judge Rees found that after taking over the role, Mr Sergi had told Mr Gironda to revert to an 'original recipe'. 'Mr Sergi appears to have taken the opportunity of a change of baker to return to the baker's original recipe. 'This departed from (the former head baker's) process of adding gluten or malt if needed to achieve a consistent baking product.' Judge Rees also ruled the bakehouse's claims that they had suffered a 'substantial loss' as a result of the 'inconsistent flour' were unfounded. 'What is immediately striking from the historical financial performance of the baker, for the 2019 to 2023 financial years, is the significant increase in the baker's sales over those years, increasing by 45 per cent overall,' Judge Rees said. 'Whatever is said to have been wrong with the flour provided by the miller, it does not appear to have affected sales.' Judge Rees ruled in favour of Ben Furney Flour Mills, ordering a payment of $783,178 together with interest at 10 per cent per annum. Nonna's Bakehouse was also ordered to pay the flour mill's legal costs.
News.com.au
29 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Tim Tszyu's mum makes shock revelation ahead of boxing world title rematch
Natalia Tszyu has flown to Vegas for her son Tim's world title fight but she won't be ringside – in fact she won't even be watching. Australia's first lady of boxing is staying true to her word, opting out of seeing her son do battle. No more blood and gore. 'I am in Vegas with my family, I am here with everyone but I won't be watching,' Natalia told in the lead-up to Tim's rematch with WBC super welterweight champ Sebastian Fundora. 'My family is all here, we are all here. The fight will be on my birthday.' Tim (25-2 record) suffered his first career defeat against Fundora (22-1-1) in March last year, when a severe cut on his head from an errant elbow significantly impacted his vision in a split decision loss to the American. In his next fight in October 2024, Tim's hospitalisation following his brutal, third-round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando was the tipping point for the devoted mum who has been around boxing most of her life. 'I am the mother of two warriors,' she said referring to Tim and her other boxing son Nikita. 'I've stood at the edge of the ring with my breath caught in my throat, watched them fight battles only they can fight, and smiled through fear no one else could see. 'People see the knockouts, the belts, the bright lights. 'They don't see the early mornings, the tears I've wiped in silence, the prayers whispered into the night when no one's looking. 'I carry their pain. I celebrate their victories. But I never stop being their mother first.' Natalia said she was confident Tim has 'all the heart, discipline and power to win' on Sunday. 'I believe in him — and I know Australia does too.' Natalia described boxing as 'beautiful and brutal'. 'And as proud as I am, being the mother of boxing sons can be the loneliest place in the world. 'But I wouldn't trade it for anything. 'Because in every fight, in every roar of the crowd, a piece of my heart walks into that ring. 'And no matter how far they go, they always carry their mother with them – quietly, fiercely, always.' It's been a busy few months for Natalia, who has also welcomed her first grandchild 'Holding her in my arms is a feeling beyond words. I'm proud of every moment — proud of my children and now this new life. 'Thank you to this beautiful country, Australia, for giving us the opportunity to be born, grow, and now raise a second generation here.'
News.com.au
37 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Bootlegger leads the local hopes in Group 3 Sires' Produce Stakes at Morphettville Parks
Local hope Bootlegger hasn't put a foot wrong ahead of Saturday's Sires' Produce Stakes at Morphettville Parks, as trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray hunt a second two-year-old stakes win this year. Bootlegger was a classy maiden winner at Gawler over 1200m, defeating Violet Lovebug by a length, who the gelding meets again on Saturday. A Group 3 tilt over 1400m awaits, with Victorians Volkano and Ethereum Girl set to make their presence felt in a field of nine on the Parks circuit. It looms as a significant test, but the early signs are that Bootlegger is up to the task.  'He came through it (Gawler) really well,' MacGillivray said. 'Obviously with two-year-olds, you're always thinking have they had enough? 'He's eating, he's had plenty of energy and we're looking forward to it.' Volkano is a $2.90 race favourite with Sportsbet, ahead of Bootlegger ($3.40) and Ethereum Girl ($4.50). Stokes filly Kazaru is a $9.50 shot, while the next SA-based contender in the market is Mostly For Show ($12). 'Obviously it's hard to line him up with that interstate form, but everything he's done has been solid,' she said. 'We think he's probably improved, we're pretty sure the extra trip will be right up his alley.' There was nothing discreet about Bootlegger’s win! The 2YO was very impressive winning his maiden at Gawler. — Dare To Dream (@DareToDreamSA) July 7, 2025 Bootlegger has shown tactical versatility in two career starts, charging home from well back to finish runner-up to From The Block on debut, before box-seating and careering away last start. He was ridden by Emily Finnegan on both occasions, and the Irish hoop, an experienced member of Adelaide's riding ranks, will pilot again on Saturday. • Volkano set to erupt again in Sires' Produce A win would be Finnegan's first Group race success in Australia, after four Listed victories earlier in her career. 'It would be a huge thrill for her, obviously she's been riding for a good few years. She's got a lot of experience,' MacGillivray said. 'Through no fault of her own, through circumstance and injury at times, she hasn't been able to capitalise when she's in really good form. 'She's riding well and she deserves the opportunity. She's ridden the horse well every time she's gone out on him. 'We're confident he'll run his best race and if that's good enough, that's good enough.' Clarken declared gun filly Steel Trap a 'bloody beauty' after she won the Group 3 David Coles at Morphettville earlier this year, and Bootlegger has the Brinkley-based conditioners equally excited. 'They're a different style of horse, Steel Trap was probably a bit tougher earlier on than him,' she said. 'Having said that, since he's been through the different stages of maturity, shin soreness and things, he's a pretty tough little character. 'He's obviously got above average ability. 'There's three Too Darn Hots in the race – I hope he's the best of them.'
