Interesting video about the issues surrounding the depth of talent and development in Australia with the 19th team coming in.
It touches on the fact that players earn money playing in the country leagues than they get playing in the VFL or SANFL etc, so many choose to play there.
The system is broken and I think they need to change a number of things.
1. Have a proper reserves competition.
2. Increase list sizes by another 10 players on each team. The more young players get an opportunity the better. The more young players who get better development that don't make it and go back to the state leagues the better. It will allow each team to have an extra ruck project on their list as an example.
3. The AFL needs to supply SA and WA with the same per player funding as they do in Victoria. The AFL should not be acting like a Victorian operation where they are investing in the Victorian kids but not the other states. Relying on the SANFL and WAFL to develop the kids in their states would be like VFL in Victoria having to do all the Jr development there. Imagine the downgrade if that was the case.
Anyway, it's an interesting listen
It touches on the fact that players earn money playing in the country leagues than they get playing in the VFL or SANFL etc, so many choose to play there.
The system is broken and I think they need to change a number of things.
1. Have a proper reserves competition.
2. Increase list sizes by another 10 players on each team. The more young players get an opportunity the better. The more young players who get better development that don't make it and go back to the state leagues the better. It will allow each team to have an extra ruck project on their list as an example.
3. The AFL needs to supply SA and WA with the same per player funding as they do in Victoria. The AFL should not be acting like a Victorian operation where they are investing in the Victorian kids but not the other states. Relying on the SANFL and WAFL to develop the kids in their states would be like VFL in Victoria having to do all the Jr development there. Imagine the downgrade if that was the case.
Anyway, it's an interesting listen
