Academy Watch

[Morgs_]

From (rusty) memory, some of the top Lions academy prospects have joined in previously. Struggling to think of names off the top of my head though, so I may have just made that up.

Dawson and Hammer trained with the Lions the year before they were able to be drafted.

 

[whatboutbob]

Dawson and Hammer trained with the Lions the year before they were able to be drafted.

They were both AIS though.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

The TAC Cup fixture has been released for this year and it is worth noting that Qld plays 3 games in Qld (at Redlands on 25 April, Southport on 9 May and Aspley on 30 May). Unfortunately only one game in Melbourne (13 June) and one in Ballarat (25 July).

 

[MacMum]

Andrew Hamilton has done a very positive article on the Academies in the northern states. Slams Eddie right between the eyes

Was on the HUN website today.

 

[Maboo]

Has anyone read Eddies latest rant, what a nob.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...-president-eddie-mcguire-20150205-1378h3.html

 

[Hollow Knight]

Mike Whiting pegging Ben Keays as a second roundish selection.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-21/names-from-the-north

Cringing at talk of Mills being the best in this year's draft. Sydney really are ruining this for the rest of us. Heh.

 

[SizeMatters]

Keays as a second rounder would be perfect form our point of view... Hard to see how at this stage he is tipped to be a second rounder though. Averaged most DT at U18 carnival and made AA squad... all as an underaged player.

 

[jackess]

Mike Whiting pegging Ben Keays as a second roundish selection.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-21/names-from-the-north

Cringing at talk of Mills being the best in this year's draft. Sydney really are ruining this for the rest of us. Heh.

It doesn't help that they invest twice as much money and have a larger population to recruit from.

 

[jjami15]

The best part of the article was when Saddington stated that if they don't have academy players being picked by others then they're not doing well enough and that's the mind set that the rest of us should have. Yes, we might get the cream but we have to pay for it but in adding to the draft pool should keep others quiet and validate the need for the academies.

 

[iBeng]

If Sydney were finishing bottom 5 the last few seasons Eddie wouldnt bat an eyelid at them getting Heeny/Mills. Typical really.

 

[jjami15]

If Sydney were finishing bottom 5 the last few seasons Eddie wouldnt bat an eyelid at them getting Heeny/Mills. Typical really.

Or if the pies finished 18th and got Moore for that price as well.

 

[Panthera]

If we can get Keays and keep our first rounder this year (and maybe snag another if Aish is on his way) - I think we are in a great position moving forward

As for Sydney, best of luck to them - they have the money to spend on their academy b/c they've been a finals participant for the past decade; mainly through smart trading and recently, some big money recruits

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Keays as a second rounder would be perfect form our point of view... Hard to see how at this stage he is tipped to be a second rounder though. Averaged most DT at U18 carnival and made AA squad... all as an underaged player.

Yeah, has more weapons than Weller who went first round. Would have to level off badly not to be at least a late first rounder.

 

[Covertackle]

Tigernova apology to the Lions Academy in 5...4...3...

I was right,....... long before they arrived late.

But that's alright. I get that a lot.

 

[BuntonRules]

Has anyone read Eddies latest rant, what a nob.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...-president-eddie-mcguire-20150205-1378h3.html

Stick this in yer pipe, Eddie

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-25/academy-growth-vital-aflpa

THE AFL PLAYERS' Association fears that the proposed academy bidding system will slow the growth of the game in non-traditional football states.

"From the data we've seen [the club-based academies] are proving to be a very effective method of developing football in those two northern markets," Marsh told AFL.com.au.

 

[POBT]

I'll interpret: none of our players ever want to leave Victoria so hopefully the northern clubs will be satisfied with Rugby League discards and former soccer goalies.

In all seriousness, of course successful academies are good for the code. It is embarrassing that it needs to be pointed out.

 

[chopperduck]

Simply has to be good youth development with access to good coaches, paired with a pathway to the AFL and the local club. Kids at 14,15,16 get scholarships with NRL clubs and can be inline to play for the Broncos. Very hard to not only compete with that, but actually steal the junior talent and have them want to play AFL when the NRL path is so so so much easier for them to pursue.

This is the main part of the equation that they don't understand down south. Youth up here arent playing nothing, they are playing other sports, more popular sports, which are better supported. It is hard to convert them. Yes, we might get a small advantage in getting first dibs on these players, but as long as we are paying close to market value (same round worth draft pick) for them it shouldnt matter. By taking our local talent, it means we arent taking wa, sa or vic players, so those other clubs still benefit in that way.

 

[winged1]

I'll interpret: none of our players ever want to leave Victoria so hopefully the northern clubs will be satisfied with Rugby League discards and former soccer goalies.

In all seriousness, of course successful academies are good for the code. It is embarrassing that it needs to be pointed out.

Especially to those who supposedly have the good of the game at heart. But in truth are highly insular and self serving.

 

[Covertackle]

Simply has to be good youth development with access to good coaches, paired with a pathway to the AFL and the local club. Kids at 14,15,16 get scholarships with NRL clubs and can be inline to play for the Broncos. Very hard to not only compete with that, but actually steal the junior talent and have them want to play AFL when the NRL path is so so so much easier for them to pursue.

This is the main part of the equation that they don't understand down south. Youth up here arent playing nothing, they are playing other sports, more popular sports, which are better supported. It is hard to convert them. Yes, we might get a small advantage in getting first dibs on these players, but as long as we are paying close to market value (same round worth draft pick) for them it shouldnt matter. By taking our local talent, it means we arent taking wa, sa or vic players, so those other clubs still benefit in that way.

The QRL are getting clever. Last year the Darling Downs u12s RL rep team had a squad of 60 (!) chosen. That is 15-20% of the competition. The obvious reason for this is to make kids think they have half a chance at their dream, which they don't, and stops them thinking about going to other codes.

 

[Viceregal]

Especially to those who supposedly have the good of the game at heart. But in truth are highly insular and self serving.

Don't worry about them - if they put their heads up Eddie will sort them out!

 

[POBT]

But in truth are highly insular and self serving.

Nailed it.

 

[SizeMatters]

The QRL are getting clever. Last year the Darling Downs u12s RL rep team had a squad of 60 (!) chosen. That is 15-20% of the competition. The obvious reason for this is to make kids think they have half a chance at their dream, which they don't, and stops them thinking about going to other codes.

How's Buzz doing these days? Still playing Aussie Rules?

 

[Covertackle]

How's Buzz doing these days? Still playing Aussie Rules?

Sits on his ass mostly I think, just touring the country. Could be a Uni sabbatical? I dunno. No one tells me anything...

Brisbane Lions Academy

 

[knaf]

Forrest Gump is at the academy?

 

[RUNVS]

Apparently the Swans and Lions academies had a match against each other (not sure which age group) before Friday nights game. Michael O'Loughlin mentioned it in a video on the Swans site.