Sport
5 June, 2026
DEBACLE DRAFT
AFL Central Victoria has been asked to review the number of player points two ex-AFL premiership stars will have when they line up for Loddon Valley clubs in a blockbuster game this month
AFL premiership player Gary Rohan could be dropped before he even pulls on the jumper for Bridgewater in a blockbuster Loddon Valley football clash with rival Newbridge the June 20 match.
AFL rules would see Rohan eat up seven player points for th league ladder leaders while fellow former Geelong star only eating two points into Newrbidge’s point cap.
Bridgewater has asked AFL to review the player points, fearing it may have to drop some regulars to squeeze in Rohan.
But AFL Central Victoria regional manager Cam Tomlins said there was no provision for special consideration because it involved a unique event.
“In isolation the panel will look at the request to see if there are compelling or exceptional circumstances,” he said. “There is no defined timeline for deliberations.”
Tomlins said the Carlton Draft promotion was a third-party campaign with no relation to AFL Victoria.
Ferguson said his club had been “screwed over a bit” after discovering that playing Rohan would cost the Mean Machine seven of its allocation of 44 points per round.
Ablett will only cost Newbridge two points on a scale that allocates points largely according to a player’s recent history. The Maroons have a points cap of 46.
At 35, former Swan and Cat forward Rohan has been out of AFL football for a shorter time than dual Brownlow medallist Ablett, 42, and attracts more points. If not resolved, the dispute may result in Rohan not being selected for Bridgewater seniors, an unthinkable scenario for a game that promises to be a highlight of the Loddon Valley season.
The Mean Machine would potentially have to leave out a couple of three-point players and a four-point player for Rohan and a couple of one-pointers.
“Most of our high-point players are our best players, and we don’t want them off the park,” Ferguson said.
Bridgewater’s higher point players include coach and star goalkicker Lachie Sharp, 2025 best and fairest Luke Ellings, impressive onballer Pat Murphy and vice-captain Jack Merrin.
Loddon Valley chair Richard Hicks said the league had nothing to do with the Bridgewater application, but he hoped the issue could be resolved amicably.
“It will be a great day for the league as a promotion,” he said.
Read More: Newbridge