View Full Version : Floodgates open on NSW's elite talent
TheGeneral
22 Mar 2006, 23:58
Another interesting decision by the AFL but some clubs are concerned it is open to inducements and rorts.
Floodgates open on NSW's elite talent - The Age. (http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/news/tipping/floodgates-open-on-nsws-elite-talent/2006/03/22/1142703450595.html)
sydney eagle
25 Mar 2006, 11:41
I'll just bet that the Swans are happy with the arrangement. Other clubs get to develop young talent from N S W then they will hope to pick them up in a couple of years when they become "homesick".:(
Will be a complete non-event. Finding 32 talented kids in Sydney will be almost impossible.
Most clubs will pocket the $10,000 'scouting' fee and pay the $10,000 contribution by picking up a kids school fees.
Total cost to a club will be $0 (plus a showbag or two to send to a kid). Total revenue $10,000 scouting fee.
TheGeneral
25 Mar 2006, 14:04
God Bless the great Demetriou and Anderson sideshow. :)
Turbocat
29 Mar 2006, 21:29
Will be a complete non-event. Finding 32 talented kids in Sydney will be almost impossible.
Most clubs will pocket the $10,000 'scouting' fee and pay the $10,000 contribution by picking up a kids school fees.
Total cost to a club will be $0 (plus a showbag or two to send to a kid). Total revenue $10,000 scouting fee.
Why Weaver? If there is 160,000 kids of draft age in NSW why can't they bring into focus some kids who's inert talent can be transfered to AFL. If we can get Brownlow medalists and Preimership players from Ireland the why not get some kids who from our neighbouring state. Maybe not the absolute zenith but kids who have the body shape and set of prerequisites that would enable him to adapt to AFL.
Cant Happen, then why was Tom Williams a R1 pick for the dogs.
Why Weaver? If there is 160,000 kids of draft age in NSW why can't they bring into focus some kids who's inert talent can be transfered to AFL.
We aren't talking about NSW, we are talking about 'north of the line'. Kids from the strong Riverina, Murrumbidge and ACT areas are excluded (unless they have previously been resident in Sydney for 3 years).
How does a club identify such a talent? They have to scout for him. That costs cash, and the $10k in funding isn't going to go far. After finding a talent they have to convince that kid to change codes or sign-on in the scheme.
How does it help the player improve? So you have found a kid. You have given him $10k towards a sports 'scholorship' and sent him to a footy school. Maybe you stump up more cash and fly him to Melbourne for 2 weeks training over Christmas. Hardly qualifies as 'development'. The kid will be playing in the same comp, against the same opponents, with the same coaches.
You develop a good kid. You are no guarentee to sign him. He only has to let his deal lapse and he can sign with anyone or nominate for the draft. A club has a chance of rookie listing a kid but they have to keep him away from other for 4-5 years first.
What are the chances that this Sydney-rookie is worth rookie listing, or wouldn't have been available for a rookie-listing? It is not as though Sydney is producing bucket loads of talent.
Considering that -
1. You are no guarentee to find a good option to list, but have to list 2 anyway.
2. You have only $10k per annum in funding to find the kid.
3. The kids you do find might not be interested and stick with Union, League, Soccer or sign with another club.
4. They don't get any extra real development.
5. They can elect not to sign for you even if they turn out OK.
It is just a poor investment in a simple risk/reward assessment.
Much better to pocket the $10k every year. Throw a dart at the NSW under-16 team and pick out some random kid to give the AFL's $10k 'scholorship' too. Then hope you get lucky.
Over the course of 10 years you pocket $100k. Have no out of pocket expenses, and are (effectively) as good a chance of getting one good player as anyone else.
In contrast the club that spends the same $100k on scouting (kicking in an extra $40-50k to do the job properly). Pays an additional $15k a year towards the scholorship above the AFL component. Flys the kids to Melbourne for a couple of weeks every year. That club has probably spent $350k+ of their own money. And you have to ask whether that is money well spent on the x% chance of getting someone better than the cheapskate club.
One club has $100k in their pocket. One club is $350k out of pocket. Both clubs have James Meikeljohn on their rookie list.
Turbocat
3 Apr 2006, 00:26
You develop a good kid. You are no guarentee to sign him. He only has to let his deal lapse and he can sign with anyone or nominate for the draft. A club has a chance of rookie listing a kid but they have to keep him away from other for 4-5 years first.
Have to say this is one thing that Id really thought of. I think the majority of the things you mention are only hurdles to be overcome, flaws can be updated and overcome. If there is a will, there is a way. I understand your sceptism, and whether this is the ideal solution or not , I think the AFL is motivated to gain momentum in NSW and QLD. There is to much athletic talent not to try channel some of it into our game.
TheGeneral
22 Apr 2006, 02:45
Docker rookie bid scuttled by Magpies. (http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/news/afl/docker-rookie-bid-scuttled/2006/04/21/1145344277391.html)
Do the Pies have to use a pick in the rookie draft or national draft if he is good enough?
theorangeapple
23 Apr 2006, 00:29
I know one club is just looking at identifying and picking players from other sports. The AFL base of players in Sydney is ******** poor...better of getting a freak athlete rugby union player and trying to turn him. Might be able to jag a Tom Williams.
floppinab
26 Apr 2006, 16:18
I know one club is just looking at identifying and picking players from other sports. The AFL base of players in Sydney is ******** poor...better of getting a freak athlete rugby union player and trying to turn him. Might be able to jag a Tom Williams.
And plenty of other sports are doing the same. Collingwood supporting friends son, 11 years old, dominates all games he plays up to U13 level in a Sydney AFL comp. Has been approached by Soccer NSW reps. to play rep. games only and they have made cash inducements to get him across to Soccer.
Given all the juniors Soccer has they still feel they need to do things like this. If all the AFL Appr. Scheme does is start to look at good big ball sports players then thats great because other codes are doing the same if not more.
TheGeneral
3 May 2006, 20:28
Kangas, Pies pounce on young stars (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/05/02/1146335731944.html)
I'm surprised they didn't trade their selection to the Hawks! :p
If every club has to sign one of these kids by January One some clubs will be scraping the bottom of the barrel to find someone who isn't going to make it. :rolleyes:
Wouldn't this money be better spent on buying sirens for crap rural grounds? :D