this should always be the criteria, it makes no difference where they come from if they have the talent/potential they should be picked.
i recall andrew d in one of his spare-time moments mention hat the afl were considering introducing a quota system in to team lists, ensuring that every team had a certain number of indigenous players on their playing list. I don't think this is necessarily a good idea, pick should always be on talent not race. if they all happen to be indigenious great, but if not, no.
A quota system in any forum is fraught with danger as you lose the dynamic of best available.
Agreed, especially on the quota system, though hardly spoken about, racism can work both ways. Players should (and IMO are) picked on merit without any consideration on race. The players background (current living circumstances & ability to relocate without being homesick, etc) are things that are taken into account at the draft table, as no club wants to lose a player to homesickness via trade (see Ebert) or walking away (see Troy Taylor).
Personally for me as long as Hadley & co. continue drafting players that are the best for our needs, then I couldn't care less whether we end up having 10 indigenous players or none.
As for Manson, interesting to see his stocks rise. I believe he is too big of a gamble for a top 10 draft pick (in saying that GWS may use a pick on him because they can afford to). The key for Manson would be his ability to change environments and move to the city and deal with the work rate of a full time footballer. I think we should take into account with his performances in the NTFL that the league isn't of the highest standard (probably a bit below VFL reserves IMO) and with his 10 goal haul, you could assume that the oppositions best defender would have positioned on Fevola, and Manson may have had an undersized defender on him, as is common in that league. Definitely a talent however, and definitely a draft wild card. Will be interesting to see where he goes & how he develops.







