Respected junior talent manager reacts to AFL’s skinfold ‘ban’

One of the AFL’s most respected junior talent managers says he’s unsure why the AFL would ban clubs from conducting skinfold tests on draft hopefuls and they have “a place” when used properly.

Mick Turner, who spent more than two decades helping young guns through the ranks at the Geelong Falcons, told 3AW the game needed to progress with the times but said skinfold tests were valuable tools when used in context.

Several clubs were reportedly left miffed when told they couldn’t conduct skinfold tests on potential draftees out of fears of body-shaming.

“We never, ever, used them to shame people, it was more about diet and educating kids to change their diets so that their skinfolds and body mass come down and they’re putting the right fuel in their body so they perform better and recover better,” Turner told 3AW.

He went on to list a couple of examples of junior players who tested poorly, in context, but went on to have stellar careers.

Press PLAY below to hear him explain