Sportsday Sportsday with Sam Edmund, Gerard Healy & Ken Hinkley - Wednesday Full Show (25.03.26)
Mar 25, 2026
A heated debate over whether Essendon v North Melbourne is season-defining and what could follow. A fierce critique of the current draft, father–son and NGA systems and suggested alternatives. Tense coach rivalries and media fallout from St Kilda vs Brisbane. Injury trends, Collingwood’s forward structure and late-team news shaping the early rounds.
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Public Sentiment Turning Against Heritage Rules
- There is growing public scepticism about father-son and NGA systems; multiple callers and hosts questioned their fairness.
- Gerard Healy and callers argued heritage rules lock in advantages and make parity harder for clubs without access.
Pay Overs Or Trade For Father Son Picks
- If a club truly values a father-son pick, pay market cost or trade for the top pick rather than rely on special matching rules.
- Callers suggested bottom clubs could be compensated by requiring interested clubs to 'pay overs' or trade pick one.
Early Injury Numbers Don't Show An Unusual Spike
- Early-season injury spikes provoke concern but raw round-to-round data doesn't confirm an unusual uptick this year.
- Sam Hargreaves' analysis showed round three lists averaged 7.2 unavailables this year versus 8.6 last year, tempering alarm about hamstring trends.