for anyone interested, here's the follow-up story I found on the Burges kid...more good stuff.
http://www.footygoss.com.au/modules...=article&sid=6028&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
The West Coast Eagles have come out and emphatically denied they may have been hiding a talented footballer from other AFL clubs.
Several AFL clubs suspected that the Eagles might have endeavoured to hide Hale school youngster Callum Burges as reported in the Western Australian Sports Truth on 21st August.
West Coast General Manager of Football Operations, Steve Woodhouse, categorically denied the club had sort to attempt to keep Burges under wraps from opposition clubs.
"I think it's nonsense as he plays 1st XV111 for Hale school and has done so all year, the same as Daniel Kerr did for Aquinas before he was drafted" Woodhouse said.
Woodhouse says that AFL recruiting scouts would have watched Burges play for Hale school in the Alcock Cup competition.
"I think it's all a bit of a furphy and it may be because some clubs may have picked him out a little bit later than other clubs, how can you play Alcock Cup and hide a player. Woodhouse added.
Burges, who comes from the country town of Newdegate, and is a boarder at Hale played only one match for the West Perth colts side this season.
The agile utility player will nominate for the 2003 National Draft and has been invited to the State screening of players at Challenge stadium on October 10th.
His Hale school coach, Sean Henderson, has compared his style of play as similar to AFL stars Anthony Koutoufides and Matthew Pavlich.
His ability to play all over the ground and his pace and hardness at the ball is features of his game together with his marking and kicking skills.
One AFL club recruiting scout suggested there may have been a push to include Burges in the AFL Draft Camp, but to this time that has not eventuated and is unlikely as the list of draft hopefuls has already been drawn up and there is a criteria in place for player invites.
West Perth colts coach and former Fremantle Docker, Neil Mildenhall, said he had not seen much of Burges but had liked what he saw when he trained with the club.
"Callum had one training night with us and has only played three quarters of a game with us".
"He looked a little bit lost, naturally because he wasn't familiar with the group, but he moved well on the track to suggest he has plenty to offer."
A minor groin injury kept Burges out of action last Saturday for the Falcons colts' side in their final match of the season.
Burges reiterated the sentiments of Woodhouse that West Coast had not kept him under wraps.
"I can tell you now that no one has been trying to hide me, I am going into the draft and what happens, will happen," Burges said.
School commitments were the reason he did not spend more time with West Perth.
"The PSA football kept me busy and I also went to Melbourne with Hale for a week and when I came back I played the colts match with West Perth.
West Coast match committee member, Tim Gepp, has two sons at Hale school and Burges said that Gepp had told him to keep playing his football with no suggestion that the Eagles may have attempted to hide the talented youngster from opposition clubs.
http://www.footygoss.com.au/modules...=article&sid=6028&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
The West Coast Eagles have come out and emphatically denied they may have been hiding a talented footballer from other AFL clubs.
Several AFL clubs suspected that the Eagles might have endeavoured to hide Hale school youngster Callum Burges as reported in the Western Australian Sports Truth on 21st August.
West Coast General Manager of Football Operations, Steve Woodhouse, categorically denied the club had sort to attempt to keep Burges under wraps from opposition clubs.
"I think it's nonsense as he plays 1st XV111 for Hale school and has done so all year, the same as Daniel Kerr did for Aquinas before he was drafted" Woodhouse said.
Woodhouse says that AFL recruiting scouts would have watched Burges play for Hale school in the Alcock Cup competition.
"I think it's all a bit of a furphy and it may be because some clubs may have picked him out a little bit later than other clubs, how can you play Alcock Cup and hide a player. Woodhouse added.
Burges, who comes from the country town of Newdegate, and is a boarder at Hale played only one match for the West Perth colts side this season.
The agile utility player will nominate for the 2003 National Draft and has been invited to the State screening of players at Challenge stadium on October 10th.
His Hale school coach, Sean Henderson, has compared his style of play as similar to AFL stars Anthony Koutoufides and Matthew Pavlich.
His ability to play all over the ground and his pace and hardness at the ball is features of his game together with his marking and kicking skills.
One AFL club recruiting scout suggested there may have been a push to include Burges in the AFL Draft Camp, but to this time that has not eventuated and is unlikely as the list of draft hopefuls has already been drawn up and there is a criteria in place for player invites.
West Perth colts coach and former Fremantle Docker, Neil Mildenhall, said he had not seen much of Burges but had liked what he saw when he trained with the club.
"Callum had one training night with us and has only played three quarters of a game with us".
"He looked a little bit lost, naturally because he wasn't familiar with the group, but he moved well on the track to suggest he has plenty to offer."
A minor groin injury kept Burges out of action last Saturday for the Falcons colts' side in their final match of the season.
Burges reiterated the sentiments of Woodhouse that West Coast had not kept him under wraps.
"I can tell you now that no one has been trying to hide me, I am going into the draft and what happens, will happen," Burges said.
School commitments were the reason he did not spend more time with West Perth.
"The PSA football kept me busy and I also went to Melbourne with Hale for a week and when I came back I played the colts match with West Perth.
West Coast match committee member, Tim Gepp, has two sons at Hale school and Burges said that Gepp had told him to keep playing his football with no suggestion that the Eagles may have attempted to hide the talented youngster from opposition clubs.
