Yes it is from a bygone era, across the board, and yes better the standard the less risk.
But on the protecting players from something bad that might happen, and protecting the investment, thats at the core of whats wrong with the current system IMO. Up until not that long ago, that approach would be viewed with a bit of skepticism, a knock. Now, thanks to the the AFL and the APS, all good, no expectation to play seniors.
Maybe protecting gun juniors from senior footy is a good thing? Maybe it makes no difference to the health of the comp and local footy and player development? But for me the point is its happened pretty quickly with no consideration, assessment or analysis of any of that.
My own view is it would have had an impact. A small cohort of guns get drafted no matter what, but the new system would advantage some players to get drafted but may not have been in the past, and disadvantage some players who don't get drafted but might have in the past. Obviously some would succeed and fail under both. Like a lot of things in the AFL, I'd love to see some aanalysis.