Cook says Roos and Eagles should fix self-inflicted woes

ONE of the game’s longest-serving and most respected administrators isn’t a believer in AFL assistance packages to clubs.

Carlton CEO Brian Cook has aid both North Melbourne and West Coast shouldn’t be granted draft picks and concessions should requests come.

The Kangaroos are said to be eyeing U18 All-Australian captain Ryley Sanders, who has a link to the club through its next generation academy, as part of an assistance package by ensuring the club can match a bid.

North Melbourne could also receive pick three in compensation for Ben McKay’s likely free agency departure.

When questioned about the possibility of Sanders walking to Arden Street, Cook conceded it wasn’t good for the game.

“Probably not. Probably not,” the former Geelong boss said after a long pause on AFL Nation.

“I don’t think the Eagles should either. You can mount a stronger argument for the Eagles, I think.

“I think once upon a time there was a formula they used over two or three years and I think they would both qualify under that formula, but I’m not a big rap [for it].

“We talk about the uncompromised national draft and every year we move further and further away from it. I don’t know how far we go with it.”

A win/loss threshold for special assistance was scrapped in 2012 and replaced by a formula that is at the Commission’s discretion.

Cook spent eight years as West Coast’s CEO and oversaw two premierships before moving to Geelong and leading the club to an unprecedented era of success.

He was a major coup for the Blues when signing on the dotted line. The 67-year-old believes it should be on clubs to dig themselves out of their own holes.

“I think so,” Cook replied when asked whether it should be on clubs to fix their own issues.

“I’ve never been in that position before, so for me, it’s theoretical. But I think you determine your own future and sometimes it takes five, six or seven years to get there.

“At Geelong back in ’99 it took us a while to get moving [before we improved].”

North Melbourne will finish in the bottom two for a fourth consecutive year in 2023, while this current Eagles outfit is the worst in its history.

The Roos were last year granted a package that saw an additional second and third round pick granted, as well as two extra list spots.

– SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN