AFL CHIEF Andrew Demetriou says the league will not be bullied into changing the draft system because of the media beat-up surrounding the issue of tanking.

The issue raised its head again on the weekend with West Coast coach John Worsfold taking exception to suggestions his side had ‘tanked’ Friday night’s game against Essendon after withdrawing players like Daniel Kerr and Chad Fletcher from the 22.

Demetriou described allegations of tanking as “demeaning” and “bemusing” and warned the media clubs could take legal action against what could be judged as slanderous accusations.

"The sooner we stop talking about it [tanking] and people stop speculating and casting doubts over clubs and moves and who's being left out [the better],” Demetriou said in Adelaide on Friday.

“Let's get on with concentrating on football because it's a nonsensical argument and one that people should really start to consider when they talk about it because it won't be long before someone at a club takes action against someone for inferring what's going on,” Demetriou said.

"I don't believe it's [changing the draft system] the appropriate course of action to respond to media nonsense or people criticising the issue when we've had a successful draft for the past 20-odd years.

“This competition is going particularly well. We should remind ourselves of that and the day we start changing rules on inference and nonsense being peddled around is the day we should give it away.”

Demetriou said the current draft system had created a more level playing field for each of the 16 clubs.

“The draft is a huge success over a 20-year period. Every club since 1999 has made the preliminary final, so to now be talking about the context of tanking in relation to who gets pick one is a nonsense,” he said.

"Last year and every year we set our clocks and by about round 12 or 13 [the issue of tanking has arisen].

“I could've sworn the last couple of years it's always been about the priority pick, but given now that no club qualifies for the priority pick, Richmond and Carlton, it's now turned to the actual (issue of) who's going to get the first pick.

“I find the whole conversation pathetic. I think it demeans our clubs and I've never subscribed to the theory. There's not much difference between picks one, three or four - in particular in this year's draft.”

Demetriou was in Adelaide on Friday for a speaking engagement and a meeting with SANFL CEO Leigh Whicker. The pair spoke about the recently announced plans for the AAMI Stadium redevelopment, which Demetriou hoped would help boost the dwindling crowds at both Adelaide and Port Adelaide home games this season.

"We are [concerned about crowds in SA] and, obviously Leigh knows that, hence why it's been very important to continue the push to get the stadium re-developed and to bring it up to speed with the amenities of our stadia around the country,” Demetriou said.

“There are issues we're aware of to do with drip lines on the other side of the ground and amenities that are just now not acceptable to people who come to the football and that's been addressed.
“I'm sure you'll see through the redevelopment that will translate into more people coming to the games,” he said.

Demetriou also denied the drop in spectators at AAMI Stadium was a direct correlation to the increased number of TV broadcasts live against the gate.

"I can assure you that they [live telecasts] have the counter effect. We know from worldwide trends and, certainly in this country, that direct telecasts have no affect whatsoever on people going to the football and I can give you lots of examples of where we've had significant crowds and significant ratings at the same time,” he said.

"We've had some learnings over the past few years about when games like the Showdowns should be played, but you shouldn't be too critical of the number of people who come to the football in this state.

“We're blessed with a great football state, but we want to have more people come along.”