Hi there.It's just a highlights-fest. Good to see which teenagers are running around the nation with enormous talent, but in terms of serving as an indicator of carving out a likely solid-at-least AFL career, these junior leagues serve little purpose.
When I watch them, I'm not looking for the amazing contested mark (ie the King twins) or the supposedly elite kick (ie Lukosius) or the mercurial types (ie Rankine). I'm looking for the kids who look like they belong in traffic, who show good footy smarts, and who show a toughness to put the ball before themselves. They are attributes that are more likely to translate well from junior leagues to the highest level, because they're inherent traits that can't be coached or developed or drilled. You either have them or you don't. That's what led me to rate Worpel very highly in 2017, and Rowbottom very highly last year, and on both occasions when I'd mention their names I was accused of "reaching" from the so-called 'draft experts.'
Look at me ranting again here, just can't stand the draft at times lol
i agree with a lot you have written.My son is currently playing NAB league.Generally they focus on the boys who have stood out from a young age and made state sides early on.If you are injured they just forget about you unless you are one of these well known kids.The coaches are only interested in the few kids that might get drafted really.my son said to me."dad the coaches arent invested in me.they dont rate me.they focus on the private school boys and the highly rated."his self esteem and confidence that he had as a junior has been eroded by these "development" leagues.he had groin injuries the last couple seasons and the club physio and coaches didnt help him at all with his rehab.we had to get a private physio to help.all this was due to overtraining in the clubs pre season.mostly the league focuses on what the boys dont do well than what they do do well.its all a numberd game really and the only losers are the boys a lot of whom come out of the system with less belief and confidence to when they went in.thats my rant.over and out