Brownlow medallist and AFL commentator Gerard Healy has slammed the AFL over its slowness in making a decision about top-up options for clubs impacted by the Essendon suspensions.
Essendon have been allowed to go outside the AFL system to recruit replacements for banned players, but St Kilda, Melbourne, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs are waiting to hear whether they can do the same.
AFL legal counsel Andrew Dillon has asked the remaining 13 clubs whether the impacted clubs should be entitled to top-ups, but Healy accused the league of being indecisive.
AFL legal counsel Andrew Dillon | Image | News Corp
“It’s seems we’ve gone handball happy,” Healy said on 3AW radio.
“It’s not their (the clubs) job, Andrew Dillon, it’s yours. Make a decision.”
“How is it logical that the Bombers – who created the problem – are getting preferential treatment over the others?” he said.
“How is it that the Bombers could have replaced (Jake) Carlisle, (Jake) Melksham et al. if they remained on Essendon’s list, but not if they moved club?”
Speaking on FIVEAA, Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said he had expected a decision early in the week.
The AFL is expected to make announce a decision by Friday.
When AFL footy GM Mark Evans spoke on FIVEAA, he said he was torn about allowing top-ups.
“The thing I wrestle with is should the system provide them here, but not for those with illness or mid-season retirement?” he said.
He said the AFL would make a decision “sooner rather than later”.
LISTEN to Mark Evans here:
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