Gold Coast SUNS Academy

Sunraysia

Club Legend
Joined
Mar 16, 2015
Posts
1,441
Likes
1,638
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Those are fair points and I'm sure it's not as easy as I probably made it out to be. No doubt the pool of players would be a concern, as would the coaching staff but I just wonder what the outcome would be if they were to start small by granting a certain amount of money to each school to start their own Aussie rules excellence program (which could include hiring football specific coach/es from the southern states who are also teachers) and follow the PBC model by working towards building a close relationship with the nearby QAFL football club.

Geographically, PBC won't be challenged in the south. Merrimac/Broadbeach and Benowa/Surfers would be able to draw from the large population based in the central suburbs and obviously Labrador/Helensvale are already drawing players from the booming north. I've probably just made it sound simplistic again but I understand there are many hurdles to make it a reality. I'm just thinking big picture and long-term.
Matchu your heart is in the right place - but I think only two schools should run the program so that it remains elite . Palm Beach (Southern Gold Coast) Helensvale (Northern Gold Coast ) - will make the school comp boring - but it ensures potential AFL draftees go through these schools on route to the AFL.
Makes it easier for AFL clubs to identify talent and stops other schools muddying the water so to speak. Our population does not support more than two such schools or school programs. Agree with an earlier poster that even Helensvale cannot compete with Palm Beach in terms of coaching resources ATM.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Matchu your heart is in the right place - but I think only two schools should run the program so that it remains elite . Palm Beach (Southern Gold Coast) Helensvale (Northern Gold Coast ) - will make the school comp boring - but it ensures potential AFL draftees go through these schools on route to the AFL.
Makes it easier for AFL clubs to identify talent and stops other schools muddying the water so to speak. Our population does not support more than two such schools or school programs. Agree with an earlier poster that even Helensvale cannot compete with Palm Beach in terms of coaching resources ATM.
I hear you. When the population is nearing a million people in 10-15 years from now then I'm sure we'll be having different conversations about junior development on the GC but in the current climate I agree with you. Therefore, I think the Suns should be trying to help Helensvale keep up with PBC. The two schools are already the best in Queensland when it comes to Aussie rules and it'd be great to see Helensvale stay on par with PBC to further the rivalry and produce more Gold Coast AFL players. The northern suburbs of the Gold Coast are booming right now and I think the Suns should really be trying to cash in on that.
 

Sunraysia

Club Legend
Joined
Mar 16, 2015
Posts
1,441
Likes
1,638
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Graham didn’t move to Gold Coast for footy reasons , just his family moving here , not sure his family are fully invested in his footy career just yet as he missed the suns NEAFL final for a family holiday .


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
Caleb Graham played all finals for Palm Beach to my knowledge. Definitely the two crucial ones (including Grand Final ) against Labrador. Remember him matched up on Barry Hall at times during that game.
 

exile

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jul 21, 2010
Posts
6,420
Likes
7,708
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Other Teams
Philadelphia 76ers
when I was at helensvale high, I believe they had a couple footy coaches, who also taught the general PE classes so not so much specifically brought in for the AFL boys. may have changed now, not sure, but I know the school moved towards less of a "public school" feel,which I think helped them with funding in certain areas.

at the time I was there I was told we were the second biggest public high school in the state. they've added a few new classroom buildings since, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to up their facilities to compete with palmy. obviously palmy has had a good run with quite a number of players in the suns' squad now. the vale in me hopes we can get a few more come through the system and be successful. there was one bloke who we all thought would get drafted for sure, but injuries pushed him towards a modelling career instead I think hahah.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
So AFL.com.au recently put up an article that detailed the best academy prospects for 2018 and had this to say about the Gold Coast crop:

Bailey Scott
Midfielder - Broadbeach/St Andrews

A highly talented midfielder who can play inside and outside, Scott is already 186cm and has good speed, excellent endurance and can kick well off both sides. The son of former North Melbourne and Geelong star Robert, he'll have the choice of either club as a father-son or the Suns academy in 12 months' time.

Caleb Graham
Defender - Cairns/Palm Beach Currumbin

Like Jack Bowes before him, hails from Cairns and has moved to the Gold Coast to give footy his best shot. Graham is a key defender, who can also swing forward, is a strong contested mark and has the great combination of a long reach and good closing speed.

Dirk Koenen
Defender - Townsville/Palm Beach Currumbin

Has had a few injuries, but at 195cm is a key defender who has already proved adept at intercept marking and is well skilled with ball in hand. Koenen comes from a sporting family with his older sisters Breanna (Lions AFLW team) and Cara (Sunshine Coast Lightning netball) already playing in national competitions.

Cory Beaman
Midfield/forward - Burleigh/Palm Beach Currumbin

Beaman is a former under-15 All Australian with a bit of X-factor. Has dynamic speed and a brilliant vertical leap from his track and field background and can swing between forward and midfield. Just needs to work on his endurance over the next 12 months.

Cooper Portelli
Midfielder - Labrador/Helensvale

A hard-at-it midfielder, Portelli is a Gold Coast local with a strong body who loves to win the contested ball and finds plenty of it. Needs to work on his polish and finishing skills, but has the makings of an excellent player.

So two talented key defenders coming through from the same club/school in the same year and a few mids. Bailey Scott seems to be the most talented of the lot and the one the club will want to secure the most.

when I was at helensvale high, I believe they had a couple footy coaches, who also taught the general PE classes so not so much specifically brought in for the AFL boys. may have changed now, not sure, but I know the school moved towards less of a "public school" feel,which I think helped them with funding in certain areas.

at the time I was there I was told we were the second biggest public high school in the state. they've added a few new classroom buildings since, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to up their facilities to compete with palmy. obviously palmy has had a good run with quite a number of players in the suns' squad now. the vale in me hopes we can get a few more come through the system and be successful. there was one bloke who we all thought would get drafted for sure, but injuries pushed him towards a modelling career instead I think hahah.
Interesting insight. I wonder how motivated they are to beat PBC...
 

SunsBhoy

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Posts
1,510
Likes
1,839
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
So AFL.com.au recently put up an article that detailed the best academy prospects for 2018 and had this to say about the Gold Coast crop:

Bailey Scott
Midfielder - Broadbeach/St Andrews

A highly talented midfielder who can play inside and outside, Scott is already 186cm and has good speed, excellent endurance and can kick well off both sides. The son of former North Melbourne and Geelong star Robert, he'll have the choice of either club as a father-son or the Suns academy in 12 months' time.

Caleb Graham
Defender - Cairns/Palm Beach Currumbin

Like Jack Bowes before him, hails from Cairns and has moved to the Gold Coast to give footy his best shot. Graham is a key defender, who can also swing forward, is a strong contested mark and has the great combination of a long reach and good closing speed.

Dirk Koenen
Defender - Townsville/Palm Beach Currumbin

Has had a few injuries, but at 195cm is a key defender who has already proved adept at intercept marking and is well skilled with ball in hand. Koenen comes from a sporting family with his older sisters Breanna (Lions AFLW team) and Cara (Sunshine Coast Lightning netball) already playing in national competitions.

Cory Beaman
Midfield/forward - Burleigh/Palm Beach Currumbin

Beaman is a former under-15 All Australian with a bit of X-factor. Has dynamic speed and a brilliant vertical leap from his track and field background and can swing between forward and midfield. Just needs to work on his endurance over the next 12 months.

Cooper Portelli
Midfielder - Labrador/Helensvale

A hard-at-it midfielder, Portelli is a Gold Coast local with a strong body who loves to win the contested ball and finds plenty of it. Needs to work on his polish and finishing skills, but has the makings of an excellent player.

So two talented key defenders coming through from the same club/school in the same year and a few mids. Bailey Scott seems to be the most talented of the lot and the one the club will want to secure the most.


Interesting insight. I wonder how motivated they are to beat PBC...
Gee i wonder who wrote reads this forum , they are the exact 5 players that where discussed here a few days ago.
 

SunsBhoy

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Posts
1,510
Likes
1,839
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
LOL.. exactly what I thought when I read it on afl.com.

Big Dirk I don't think got enough love on here though. He's solid down back!
I actually think Dirk maybe the best of them , I’ve only seen him twice but in those 2 games he looked special for a 16yo playing Neafl , his intercept marking was great and really held his own down back , I dare say suns will move him down this year and play for Qld and his profile will get bigger but hopefully not to big.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Posts
2,746
Likes
5,137
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Richmond
I actually think Dirk maybe the best of them , I’ve only seen him twice but in those 2 games he looked special for a 16yo playing Neafl , his intercept marking was great and really held his own down back , I dare say suns will move him down this year and play for Qld and his profile will get bigger but hopefully not to big.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
Dirk has lived on the Gold Coast all year living in a homestay and I believe even though he has finished high school, will stay and play as part of the academy program down here.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
I actually think Dirk maybe the best of them , I’ve only seen him twice but in those 2 games he looked special for a 16yo playing Neafl , his intercept marking was great and really held his own down back , I dare say suns will move him down this year and play for Qld and his profile will get bigger but hopefully not to big.
Dirk's origin is quite interesting too. He grew up on Magnetic Island off the Townsville coastline and played for the local team there (Magnetic Island Magpies). He then made his way through the Hermit Park Football Club junior/senior levels and even received the Troy Clarke Scholarship along the way. If his intercept marking is really that good then he could develop the nickname 'Mr Magnet' or something along those lines.

Moving down to the GC and going through the PBC system will be big for his development. He already stands 195cms so if he were to grow a few more cms you'd be really happy with his height in terms of the modern AFL key defender, but in all honesty he's probably already tall enough. Here is Dirk standing next to 203cm Kurt Tippett back in 2015:



Caleb Graham (from Cairns) can also play as a key defender so it's entirely possible that the Suns will pick up two key defenders that could pair for 10 years when guys like Thompson and May are ready to step aside/move more up the ground. It's great for the depth of the club.
 
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Posts
2,746
Likes
5,137
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Richmond
Dirk's origin is quite interesting too. He grew up on Magnetic Island off the Townsville coastline and played for the local team there (Magnetic Island Magpies). He then made his way through the Hermit Park Football Club junior/senior levels and even received the Troy Clarke Scholarship along the way. If his intercept marking is really that good then he could develop the nickname 'Mr Magnet' or something along those lines.

Moving down to the GC and going through the PBC system will be big for his development. He already stands 195cms so if he were to grow a few more cms you'd be really happy with his height in terms of the modern AFL key defender, but in all honesty he's probably already tall enough. Here is Dirk standing next to 203cm Kurt Tippett back in 2015:



Caleb Graham (from Cairns) can also play as a key defender so it's entirely possible that the Suns will pick up two key defenders that could pair for 10 years when guys like Thompson and May are ready to step aside/move more up the ground. It's great for the depth of the club.
On Caleb, although he can play back, looks more a natural forward to me. They both are gun juniors, but my feeling is Caleb will have the breakout year, especially if they play him forward.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
So there are 12 Queenslanders on the GC list right now. What do you guys think is a realistic amount of locals on the list in five years time? 20?

That would equate to just under 50%.
 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
So there are 12 Queenslanders on the GC list right now. What do you guys think is a realistic amount of locals on the list in five years time? 20?

That would equate to just under 50%.
With participation I think the increases will be linear. So I think you are about right. We will average 2-3 new QLDers a year and maybe delist 3 or 4. So yeah I’m happy to agree with you and say 20.

There are some talented kids in the Byron/Tweed areas too that I expect us to get during that time frame too.
 

SunsBhoy

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Posts
1,510
Likes
1,839
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
So there are 12 Queenslanders on the GC list right now. What do you guys think is a realistic amount of locals on the list in five years time? 20?

That would equate to just under 50%.
There is a distinct shift to local talent since evans has arrived , so 20 might not be out of the question if the quality is right , we have a good crop coming through this season so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is another 3-4 at seasons end again.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
With participation I think the increases will be linear. So I think you are about right. We will average 2-3 new QLDers a year and maybe delist 3 or 4. So yeah I’m happy to agree with you and say 20.

There are some talented kids in the Byron/Tweed areas too that I expect us to get during that time frame too.
I think it's fair to say at least 2-3 academy players will end up on the Gold Coast list next year and, at this point in time, I don't expect the Suns to delist any of the current QLDers in Bowes, Crossley, Dawson, Harbrow, Heron, Joyce, Nutting, Scheer, Sexton, Spencer, Thompson or Weller. So it's entirely possible that there will be 15 QLDers on the Suns' list this time next year and they could possibly also go after Queenslanders in the league at other clubs like Aliir, Buzza or Wagner. Anyway, point is, 20 seems attainable as long as these talented juniors keep coming through the academy.

Mr Bods I'd be interested to hear your insight in terms of Northern Rivers talent coming through. I can really only remember Jarred Ellis coming from Lennox Heads but he never even debuted for the Suns at the AFL level.

There is a distinct shift to local talent since evans has arrived , so 20 might not be out of the question if the quality is right , we have a good crop coming through this season so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is another 3-4 at seasons end again.
To think that half the list may be made up of QLDers in the near future is pretty amazing. I'm not sure the Brisbane Lions have EVER achieved that and they've been around for more than two decades. I think it'll definitely help develop the culture by prioritising the recruitment of locals because not only are they more likely to stay, they are also more likely to genuinely care about achieving success in the red and gold.
 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Matchu I know of some talented kids at Byron Bay HS and Banora Point HS (one of whom is at the Suns Academy) but more generally speaking the Indigenous kids of the Northern Rivers/Tweed are starting to play AFL as well as Rugby League and in time that will certainly bear fruit.

That region produces good athletes so as the AFL numbers pick up then it’s guaranteed that some kids good enough to be listed will make it.

There’s always a good chance with kids from the Tweed too that PBC will go and poach them and then claim them as their own success (this happens regularly in Rugby League-they do year 11/12 at PBC) so often the good work of the Tweed can get masked and covered up by the PBC self promotion machine.
 
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Posts
2,746
Likes
5,137
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Richmond
Matchu I know of some talented kids at Byron Bay HS and Banora Point HS (one of whom is at the Suns Academy) but more generally speaking the Indigenous kids of the Northern Rivers/Tweed are starting to play AFL as well as Rugby League and in time that will certainly bear fruit.

That region produces good athletes so as the AFL numbers pick up then it’s guaranteed that some kids good enough to be listed will make it.

There’s always a good chance with kids from the Tweed too that PBC will go and poach them and then claim them as their own success (this happens regularly in Rugby League-they do year 11/12 at PBC) so often the good work of the Tweed can get masked and covered up by the PBC self promotion machine.
A couple of years ago there was a good player down that way who played at Burleigh. But I believe last time I spoke to him, even though he wanted to be an Suns academy player, he was zoned NSW and couldn't. Not sure where the line for the zone occurs.
 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
A couple of years ago there was a good player down that way who played at Burleigh. But I believe last time I spoke to him, even though he wanted to be an Suns academy player, he was zoned NSW and couldn't. Not sure where the line for the zone occurs.
From Grafton across to Tamworth and everything north of those two places up to the QLD border are part of the Suns Zone and is serviced by AFLQ.
 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
A couple of years ago there was a good player down that way who played at Burleigh. But I believe last time I spoke to him, even though he wanted to be an Suns academy player, he was zoned NSW and couldn't. Not sure where the line for the zone occurs.
Now that you can tick off having seen Richmond win a GF how about you make the move and embrace your community and come and join us???
You know you want to.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Matchu I know of some talented kids at Byron Bay HS and Banora Point HS (one of whom is at the Suns Academy) but more generally speaking the Indigenous kids of the Northern Rivers/Tweed are starting to play AFL as well as Rugby League and in time that will certainly bear fruit.

That region produces good athletes so as the AFL numbers pick up then it’s guaranteed that some kids good enough to be listed will make it.

There’s always a good chance with kids from the Tweed too that PBC will go and poach them and then claim them as their own success (this happens regularly in Rugby League-they do year 11/12 at PBC) so often the good work of the Tweed can get masked and covered up by the PBC self promotion machine.
Interesting. I've always thought a local Northern Rivers indigenous junior in Ryan James had the body to become a Buddy Franklin type of key forward in the AFL but he obviously grew up playing league instead. Anthony Mundine would be another notable descendant of the Northern Rivers (Bundjalung tribe) region so I definitely agree that the indigenous kids from that area have shown a nous for top level sport and fortunately for the Suns they have zone access to majority of that area.

In terms of recruiting indigenous talent, it's obvious that the Suns have a big advantage with the whole of north Queensland but even northern NSW has a higher percentage of indigenous people (around 6%) vs the Gold Coast (around 4%) so it could be a great resource in that sense and it's encouraging to hear you say the indigenous youth of the Northern Rivers are starting to choose Aussie rules. Let's also not forget that the Suns are the only team in the AFL with a current indigenous captain and there is also an indigenous woman (Sam Riley) on the Gold Coast board.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,622
Likes
6,696
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
A couple of years ago there was a good player down that way who played at Burleigh. But I believe last time I spoke to him, even though he wanted to be an Suns academy player, he was zoned NSW and couldn't. Not sure where the line for the zone occurs.
Sounds like he may have been zoned to the Swans. Here is the area in question:

 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Interesting. I've always thought a local Northern Rivers indigenous junior in Ryan James had the body to become a Buddy Franklin type of key forward in the AFL but he obviously grew up playing league instead. Anthony Mundine would be another notable descendant of the Northern Rivers (Bundjalung tribe) region so I definitely agree that the indigenous kids from that area have shown a nous for top level sport and fortunately for the Suns they have zone access to majority of that area.

In terms of recruiting indigenous talent, it's obvious that the Suns have a big advantage with the whole of north Queensland but even northern NSW has a higher percentage of indigenous people (around 6%) vs the Gold Coast (around 4%) so it could be a great resource in that sense and it's encouraging to hear you say the indigenous youth of the Northern Rivers are starting to choose Aussie rules. Let's also not forget that the Suns are the only team in the AFL with a current indigenous captain and there is also an indigenous woman (Sam Riley) on the Gold Coast board.
There’s a kid at the Suns Academy now from the Tweed who has a stack of relations that played NRL.
 
Top Bottom