happy_eagle
18 Dec 2007, 19:05
Ryan Davis
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/60ebb02ce9.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)
Jumper No: 45
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 78 kg
DOB: 7/06/1989
Recruited From: NORTH SHORE, NSW
Running medium defender who represented NSW/ACT at the 2007 NAB AFL U18 Championships. Athletic player whose speed is an asset.
was he in the state under 18?
if so how he go?
happy_eagle
18 Dec 2007, 23:42
West Coast Eagles catch schoolboy Ryan Davis
Tim Morrissey
October 22, 2007 11:00pm
SYDNEY schoolboy Ryan Davis is about to leave home with his parents' blessings to join the drug-mired West Coast Eagles.
For The King's School Year 12 student who lists Ben Cousins as one of his favourite players, it's a dream come true.
And while many other parents of aspiring AFL players would be concerned about putting their trust in Australia's most controversial football club to nurture and develop their son, Davis's parents say they are comfortable with his move to the west.
In the wake of the Ben Cousins drug disgrace and substance-related death of former senior player Chris Mainwaring, questions have been asked about the Eagles' culture and club environment.
But Ryan's father Barry Davis said: "We don't feel like that at all – we don't have any fears for our son.
"For the club to actually take the step of sacking one of the greatest footballers of the modern era really does show that they are very serious about what they are doing.
"The good news is West Coast are under the spotlight so it's probably one of the best clubs to be at."
However, not everyone shares Barry Ryan's confidence in the Eagles.
The dramatic arrest and sacking of Cousins last week was the latest in a series of off-field incidents in the past 12 months that have rocked the Eagles.
Cousins, who was suspended by the Eagles before the start of the 2007 season and sent to a rehab clinic in Malibu, California to treat an illicit drug addiction, has become the poster boy for a club culture that's badly failed.
The grandmother of new West Coast recruit Josh Kennedy, traded in the deal that sent Chris Judd to Carlton, aired her family's fears for the 20-year-old.
"Right from when it was rumoured first that they would trade Joshua, I was very worried," Kathleen Kennedy said.
"I was not happy with him going into that environment."
Peter Cotchin, the father of a top Victorian AFL draftee, has expressed concern his son Trent could be drafted to West Coast and land in a dangerous environment after former Eagles favourite son Mainwaring died of a drug overdose at the beginning of this month.
"It's just the culture of the footy club . . . in the back of your mind you do worry about those things," Cotchin Sr said.
However, Barry Davis has been in regular contact with West Coast officials over the past 12 months, seen the drug education programs the club has put in place and is confident the Eagles are tackling the issue head-on.
He's also impressed with the Eagles' set-up for rookie listed players which places them in a homestay situation with a local family.
"It's not like the boys are all thrown in together in a flat or something," Ryan said.
"The other thing West Coast does is provide the resources for the parents to make regular visits and there are also opportunities for Ryan to came back.
"From that point of view we don't feel it will be any different from any other environment he would be in."