Some truth to this. In recent years if you get drafted in the first or 2nd round by Hawthorn, Geelong or Sydney (indeed most clubs) it's a big blow to the club if the player doesn't work out. Clubs like this will be doing everything on the training track and off the field to maximise the potential of their high picks since they have been few and far between.
With GWS you get the feeling it's a bit more sink or swim. Plenty of high picks, they can't afford to give them all special treatment. Some make it, some don't. A fair assumption that some players that end up on the GWS scrapheap would have flourished at other teams with a bit of extra help and opportunity.
i don't think thats a fair assumption.
Their non-1st rounders:
Downie - retired for health reasons. Was behind Mumford and Lobb.
Stewart - traded to Essendon, now a 22 player
Frost - traded to Melbourne. Plays most games
Lobb - Starting 22 player @ GWS
McKenna - traded to Melbourne. Yet to break in
Steele - traded to St Kilda. now a 22 player
Flynn - heir apparent to Mumford. Still developing
Tiziani - drafted last year.
That's about it in their entire existence (ignoring the rookie draft).
1 player no longer on a list from outside the 1st round
Of their 1st rounders; Sumner and Jaksch are the only 2 no longer on a list. And they had their chances at Carlton and didn't make it.