I wonder when the proverbial lightbulb will become illuminated with the majority of amateur clubs regarding the U18 competition? In my opinion the VAFA's 3rdXVIII model is a short-term fix that does not address functional and real pathways for junior footballers into senior ranks.
Most junior comps finish at U17s (U17 on 1st Jan) and the jump in maturity and physicality to U19s (19 or under on 30 June) has seen many good football prospects aged 17 preferring not to play against 20 year olds, rejecting amateur football and going elsewhere - for good.
The VAFA U18 competition is the 'sleeping giant' that could provide amateur football with a sustainable pathway from junior football. Now that the VAFA has learnt from its U18 inaugural year and limited U19 players allowed to play in U18s to 4 per game, I think you will see the emergence of a popular attraction to developing juniors.
So called football analysts who judge the potential impact of U19 players playing senior football on their U19 team performance without assessing whether they also have an U18 team as a reliable feeder do so at their peril.
