Talk of AFL clubs tanking for draft picks should be scotched once and for all by Richmond's defeat of Essendon, according to league chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

Responding to the widespread belief that struggling clubs place their desire for best access to the nation's best youth ahead of on-field performance, Demetriou argued that the Tigers had proven the genuine desire of clubs to win even when it affected their draft order.

Only last week former Richmond coach Terry Wallace revealed he had sat on his hands on the coaches box when his side lost a round 22 match against St Kilda in 2007 because winning would have cost them the draft pick that snared Trent Cotchin.

"There's no concern over it at our place, I think Richmond tanked terribly yesterday, they won," Demetriou said on Monday.

"You know my view, I don't subscribe to that theory, players go out there to win, coaches go out there to win.

"I would be interested in the response with Richmond winning yesterday, what does that actually mean, does that dispel any myths? I suspect people who are more sensible will say yes.

"If people want to run the line about tanking and beat it up so be it, but it doesn't change our view."

By winning on Sunday, Richmond became ineligible for a second-round priority pick in this year's national draft.

But Melbourne and West Coast both remain in the running for first-round priority picks in 2009.

Demetriou was in Adelaide to discuss AAMI Stadium's financial yield with the SANFL, which has been in protracted talks with the Power and the Crows about remodelling their stadium deal.

After the meeting, Demetriou said the relationship between the clubs and the stadium owners was far more cordial and constructive than the one the AFL presently has with the custodians of Etihad Stadium.

He also predicted there would be new revenue sources found in and around Adelaide's football venue to at least partially offset the greater share of profits being sought by Port Adelaide in particular.

"We happen to think there's some revenue levers within this stadium, some revenue opportunities that we're seeing in other stadia around Australia and other parts of the world that we can perhaps pass on to the SANFL," Demetriou said.

"They're our partners when it's all said and done and we're only doing this collaboratively to try to extract more value for our clubs and that means football will benefit and the public will benefit."

In addition to seeking a better stadium deal, the Power have been vocal about reducing some of the perceived obstacles to healthier crowds, including the live or near live against the gate telecasts so prevalent under the current television rights agreement between the league, Seven, Ten and Foxtel.

But Demetriou was steadfast in arguing that live television could not be used as a prime reason for dwindling crowds.

"I can tell you categorically there's absolutely no evidence to show live telecasts are affecting the gate, none on a global scale and none in this country, in fact I could argue and we've got data to show that live against the gate can enhance crowds," he said.

"The factors that are affecting crowds are a number and it's not solely about the coverage on television.

"Form is a predominant factor, form absolutely dictates what happens with crowds and viewership.

"My view, you can't stop the tide coming, in live sport whether it's AFL or whatever, is the future, live sport on television is what people want to see, how that translates in future I don't know.

"We respect the fact it's very important in this state and WA to have delayed telecasts and that's what we'll continue to push for, but you'll start to see more and more live sport, regardless of AFL or any other code."

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