The AFL needs to invest more into WA Jr development.

[JackFlash]

Do you not like the state of your neighbours yard, so you just head on in and start making changes yourself?

No, what i am saying is the AFL should give greater aid to both WA and SA and i think this isn't being done well enough. WA and SA must be a priority.

 

[Cleric]

They don’t run football in those states like they do in every other state.

The WAFC and SANFL do.

And that stops the AFL from providing matching Jr development money how?

 

[Cleric]

I understand that, so they must take a good look at it and make changes themselves!

It's all money driven. There is no excuse for the AFL to provide more money per capita for Victoria and not WA and SA. Its basically admitting that the AFL is a Victorian operation and not national like they claim.

 

[masai tu]

Simple solution :-

The AFL matches whatever is spent on the Vic Under 18's comp, with that amount for WA & Vic.

Seriously, why should State bodies pay for their competition, whilst one state is paid by the national body ?.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

And that stops the AFL from providing matching Jr development money how?

So the AFL can provide additional money to the WAFC and SANFL and dictate that it is spent on development - and how it is spent?

Ok, fine

Or they’re just meant to hand over money for the WAFC and SANFL to spend as they wish?

(Which, particularly in the SANFL’s case, will result in the obvious - the cash being given to their clubs who will inevitably just spend it on senior player payments)

Take your pick - if you want other people’s money, you have to give up some control.

 

[Bay53]

So the AFL can provide additional money to the WAFC and SANFL and dictate that it is spent on development - and how it is spent?

Ok, fine

Or they’re just meant to hand over money for the WAFC and SANFL to spend as they wish?

(Which, particularly in the SANFL’s case, will result in the obvious - the cash being given to their clubs who will inevitably just spend it on senior player payments)

Take your pick - if you want other people’s money, you have to give up some control.

Hit the nail on the head there. Agree development in those states has slowed, but arguably their greatest strength is its greatest weakness.

Both clubs have traditional, strong local competitions where the premiership is keenly fought for, with a reasonable amount of loyal passionate supporters. In the other states everything is about development for the elite AFL comp.

Which is better?

 

[Blackas87]

Initially the AFL wanted WA and SA to become AFLSA and AFLWA and come under the AFLs control. Both said no.
Regardless of that, the AFL shouldn't withhold equal funding for Jr development in those states.
It's like I said, imagine what would happen to Vic talent development if the VFL was told they now were responsible for it.

Yeah but the VFL is now the AFL, hence they fund Victoria and the regions they want to grow into. WA and SA didn’t want to be under the control of the old VFL.

The western Australian commissions gets funding through its powerhouse AFL clubs, that’s what they wanted, this isn’t the WAFL state league clubs raising the money to fund the entirety of WA junior footy, it’s the AFL clubs.



On top of that the AFL does give funding to the Westerh Australian commission.

What the WA commission decide to do with how they develop junior football is up to them. It’s their vision to become the nation best talent development state. The want to control WA footy.

Not looking to bashing WA, but I think the AFL is under investing in SA and WA Jr development, and they should give equal money to both states per capital as they do for Victoria.

Can you give a break down on the figures to show us where the AFL is under investing in WA and SA?

 

[My_Username]

WAFC annual report for 2024 shows the AFL gave over $5M in direct funding. (by comparison, the WA clubs gave $3M in royalties).

According to the financial summary WAFC spent ~$3M on 'talent pathway and development'. Most of their spending seems to go to the WAFL, and presumably those clubs also spend on development, so the 'real' figure would be higher.

I'd also point out that the financial summary and financial report produce different categories, and thus different figures...The report has $12.8M for 'Development expenses'.

It probably makes sense somewhere, but I'm just not going to dig that hard.

https://wafooty.com.au/download/d/skQgElZcYfJXqeSypNNvp8d-UYaFJ6vqu6eQtuyMM2E

 

[mad_eagle]

AFL too busy giving the northern academies the reach around, they’ve completely forgotten WA & SA exist…

 

[My_Username]

AFL too busy giving the northern academies the reach around, they’ve completely forgotten WA & SA exist…

Mostly because the WAFC/SANFL are historically fiercely protective of 'their' areas.

Time (and money) have reduced that significantly, but they still like to pretend they're independent and in control.

NSW/QLD have no such history.

 

[Freomaniac]

The AFL should be putting a lot more effort into both WA and SA....they have dropped the ball a bit in this department.

Nah the AFL does not care about the SA and WA clubs. As long as the crowds rock up and make money, the AFL won't care about anything else

 

[MSB ROYS]

Interesting thread. Used ChatGPT to make a list of first draft picks in the last 10 years (see below). A few decent players in here, but none you could build a team around except Hill, Naughton and McDonald - however, these 3 have been inconsistent over their whole careers. Too early to tell on some of the newer players.

• 2015: No WA players were selected in the first round.
• 2016: No WA players were selected in the first round.
• 2017:
  • Aaron Naughton – Pick 9 by the Western Bulldogs; from Peel Thunder (WAFL).
• 2018:
  • Ian Hill (also known as Bobby Hill) – Pick 24 by Greater Western Sydney; from Perth (WAFL).
• 2019:
  • Liam Henry – Pick 9 by Fremantle; from Claremont (WAFL).
  • Deven Robertson – Pick 22 by Brisbane Lions; from Perth (WAFL).
• 2020:
  • Logan McDonald – Pick 4 by Sydney Swans; from Perth (WAFL).
  • Denver Grainger-Barras – Pick 6 by Hawthorn; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
• 2021:
  • Jai Amos – Pick 8 by Fremantle; from East Perth (WAFL).
  • Neil Erasmus – Pick 10 by Fremantle; from Subiaco (WAFL).
• 2022:
  • Reuben Ginbey – Pick 9 by West Coast Eagles; from East Perth (WAFL).
  • Elijah Hewett – Pick 14 by West Coast Eagles; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
  • Jedd Busslinger – Pick 13 by Western Bulldogs; from East Perth (WAFL).
• 2023:
  • Daniel Curtin – Pick 8 by Adelaide Crows; from Claremont (WAFL).
  • Koltyn Tholstrup – Pick 13 by Melbourne Demons; from Subiaco (WAFL).
• 2024:
  • Bo Allan – Pick 16 by West Coast Eagles; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
  • Murphy Reid – Pick 17 by Fremantle Dockers; from East Fremantle (WAFL).

 

[Duckimus Prime]

(Which, particularly in the SANFL’s case, will result in the obvious - the cash being given to their clubs who will inevitably just spend it on senior player payments)

This is the biggest problem with development in SA. It relies on the SANFL clubs to do it, but their priority is winning SANFL Premierships with their senior sides. And developing kids doesn't help with that because any kids that are good go on to play in the AFL not the SANFL.

 

[The Terrible Thinker]

Interesting thread. Used ChatGPT to make a list of first draft picks in the last 10 years (see below). A few decent players in here, but none you could build a team around except Hill, Naughton and McDonald - however, these 3 have been inconsistent over their whole careers. Too early to tell on some of the newer players.

• 2015: No WA players were selected in the first round.
• 2016: No WA players were selected in the first round.
• 2017:
  • Aaron Naughton – Pick 9 by the Western Bulldogs; from Peel Thunder (WAFL).
• 2018:
  • Ian Hill (also known as Bobby Hill) – Pick 24 by Greater Western Sydney; from Perth (WAFL).
• 2019:
  • Liam Henry – Pick 9 by Fremantle; from Claremont (WAFL).
  • Deven Robertson – Pick 22 by Brisbane Lions; from Perth (WAFL).
• 2020:
  • Logan McDonald – Pick 4 by Sydney Swans; from Perth (WAFL).
  • Denver Grainger-Barras – Pick 6 by Hawthorn; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
• 2021:
  • Jai Amos – Pick 8 by Fremantle; from East Perth (WAFL).
  • Neil Erasmus – Pick 10 by Fremantle; from Subiaco (WAFL).
• 2022:
  • Reuben Ginbey – Pick 9 by West Coast Eagles; from East Perth (WAFL).
  • Elijah Hewett – Pick 14 by West Coast Eagles; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
  • Jedd Busslinger – Pick 13 by Western Bulldogs; from East Perth (WAFL).
• 2023:
  • Daniel Curtin – Pick 8 by Adelaide Crows; from Claremont (WAFL).
  • Koltyn Tholstrup – Pick 13 by Melbourne Demons; from Subiaco (WAFL).
• 2024:
  • Bo Allan – Pick 16 by West Coast Eagles; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
  • Murphy Reid – Pick 17 by Fremantle Dockers; from East Fremantle (WAFL).

Did a similar thing with SA, read into what you will but not a whole lot to excited about from SA either.


AFL first round draft picks from South Australia in the last 10 years.

ChatGPT said:​

Over the past decade (2015–2024), several South Australian players have been selected in the first round of the AFL National Draft. Below is a list of these players, along with their original SANFL clubs and the AFL teams that drafted them:

2024

• Sid Draper: Drafted by Adelaide with pick No. 4. Adelaide Football Club+1SANFL+1
• Ned Bowman: Drafted by Sydney with pick No. 26. Adelaide Football Club+8Adelaide Football Club+8draftguru.com.au+8

2023

• Harley Reid: Drafted by West Coast with pick No. 1. footywire.com ???

2021

• Jason Horne-Francis: Drafted by North Melbourne with pick No. 1. ABC+5The Roar+5draftguru.com.au+5

2018

• Jack Lukosius: Drafted by Gold Coast with pick No. 2.
• Connor Rozee: Drafted by Port Adelaide with pick No. 5.
• Izak Rankine: Drafted by Gold Coast with pick No. 3. draftguru.com.au

2017

• Darcy Fogarty: Drafted by Adelaide with pick No. 12. draftguru.com.au+4Adelaide Football Club+4draftguru.com.au+4

2016

• Jack Scrimshaw: Drafted by Gold Coast with pick No. 7. draftguru.com.au
• Jordan Gallucci: Drafted by Adelaide with pick No. 15. draftguru.com.au

2015

• Wayne Milera: Drafted by Adelaide with pick No. 11.

Please note that the availability of detailed draft information varies by year, and the list above includes the most prominent first-round selections from South Australia during this period.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

This is the biggest problem with development in SA. It relies on the SANFL clubs to do it, but their priority is winning SANFL Premierships with their senior sides. And developing kids doesn't help with that because any kids that are good go on to play in the AFL not the SANFL.

You would hope that strong development at underage level would pay dividends… of course the very top level will go to the AFL, but there’s a lot of very good footballers who will miss out and make their way to SANFL seniors.

But yeah, it’s a hangover from the past. In Victoria the AFL folded the VFL Under 19s, gutted the VFA and spun off the underage system into the TAC Cup / NAB League / Coates League. No development system is perfect but this one works by and large.

You can’t really march into SA and WA and do similar though. The AFL doesn’t run footy in those states.

And it’s a hard call for anybody to just hand over money with no guarantee of how it will be spent.

 

[PerthBoy86]

More things to do in the Winter over there.

Yeah we all go to the beach to swim and sunbathe in the middle of winter...

But really, some people think Perth is like FNQ, always warm and sunny. Our winters are milder than Melbourne but pretty wet and still cool. Don't think its really any different.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Always felt WA overrepresented in footy talent, so surprised to hear this. Maybe more the past?

 

[My_Username]

Always felt WA overrepresented in footy talent, so surprised to hear this. Maybe more the past?

If you're in WA, then the local media probably feeds that belief.

Every game in Perth that I've watched has had commentators mention any links a player in a non WA team has to WA multiple times. Quite apart from being boring and irrelevant, it would feed the belief that WA has a bigger/more impressive pool of players than they actually do.

 

[iameviljez]

And that stops the AFL from providing matching Jr development money how?

Because without getting a say, just dumping money in is just a reckless donation, not an investment.

 

[iameviljez]

I don’t think the AFL left the SANFL and WAFL to be responsible for Jnr development in their respective states, those leagues and state commissions wanted to keep control of football in their respective states when the VFL expanded to the AFL. Hence the AFL does the rest of the country.

Hit the nail on the head there. Agree development in those states has slowed, but arguably their greatest strength is its greatest weakness.

Both clubs have traditional, strong local competitions where the premiership is keenly fought for, with a reasonable amount of loyal passionate supporters. In the other states everything is about development for the elite AFL comp.

Which is better?

Surely this is hitting the nail on the head - that the old VFA died in the arse, but the SANFL and WAFL are still a valued commodity even if they aren't what they once were.

 

[jumperfan]

Interesting thread. Used ChatGPT to make a list of first draft picks in the last 10 years (see below). A few decent players in here, but none you could build a team around except Hill, Naughton and McDonald - however, these 3 have been inconsistent over their whole careers. Too early to tell on some of the newer players.

• 2015: No WA players were selected in the first round.
• 2016: No WA players were selected in the first round.
• 2017:
  • Aaron Naughton – Pick 9 by the Western Bulldogs; from Peel Thunder (WAFL).
• 2018:
  • Ian Hill (also known as Bobby Hill) – Pick 24 by Greater Western Sydney; from Perth (WAFL).
• 2019:
  • Liam Henry – Pick 9 by Fremantle; from Claremont (WAFL).
  • Deven Robertson – Pick 22 by Brisbane Lions; from Perth (WAFL).
• 2020:
  • Logan McDonald – Pick 4 by Sydney Swans; from Perth (WAFL).
  • Denver Grainger-Barras – Pick 6 by Hawthorn; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
• 2021:
  • Jai Amos – Pick 8 by Fremantle; from East Perth (WAFL).
  • Neil Erasmus – Pick 10 by Fremantle; from Subiaco (WAFL).
• 2022:
  • Reuben Ginbey – Pick 9 by West Coast Eagles; from East Perth (WAFL).
  • Elijah Hewett – Pick 14 by West Coast Eagles; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
  • Jedd Busslinger – Pick 13 by Western Bulldogs; from East Perth (WAFL).
• 2023:
  • Daniel Curtin – Pick 8 by Adelaide Crows; from Claremont (WAFL).
  • Koltyn Tholstrup – Pick 13 by Melbourne Demons; from Subiaco (WAFL).
• 2024:
  • Bo Allan – Pick 16 by West Coast Eagles; from Swan Districts (WAFL).
  • Murphy Reid – Pick 17 by Fremantle Dockers; from East Fremantle (WAFL).

Murphy Reid shouldn't be there, he played for Sandringham.

 

[Augustine]

Could be that the kids aren't into AFL as much these days due to factors like TV rights, cost of going to the game, and the contempt by the AFL shown towards the teams in this state that can disillusion them (like the adult supporters at times)

TV rights, that one’s bull.

From 2017-2024 all 42 West Coast and Freo games were live and free to air on Seven in WA.

All 42 Port and Crows games were live and free to air on Seven in SA.

Same for the QLD and NSW teams.

Only Victorian teams had their matches on FoxFooty or Kayo. Although the big Vic clubs like Collingwood got a lot more prime time free to air.

The funding for junior development is a legitimate SA and WA grievance. But let’s not invent grievances where they don’t exist.

 

[Cleric]

Because without getting a say, just dumping money in is just a reckless donation, not an investment.

Lol. Considering the SANFL produces nearly as many AFL players per capita as Victoria does, i think they well and truly put the development money they do have to good use.
Sitting there saying either the SANFL and WAFL hand over controls of their association to the AFL or not get money that will hurt Jr development is bullshit.

The AFL takes a large amount of money out of SA and WA and has a duty to use that money to fund Jr development in those same states.
What a ridiculous comment.

 

[iameviljez]

Lol. Considering the SANFL produces nearly as many AFL players per capita as Victoria does, i think they well and truly put the development money they do have to good use.
Sitting there saying either the SANFL and WAFL hand over controls of their association to the AFL or not get money that will hurt Jr development is bullshit.

The AFL takes a large amount of money out of SA and WA and has a duty to use that money to fund Jr development in those same states.
What a ridiculous comment.

The SA and WA authorities can't just say hey, we'll take that money off you, but here's the Acct and BSB, now on your way you go. If the AFL dumps a heap of money into something, they are absolutely within their rights - and, to be honest, obliged - to oversee how it is spent.

 

[Dazb86]

Yeah we all go to the beach to swim and sunbathe in the middle of winter...

But really, some people think Perth is like FNQ, always warm and sunny. Our winters are milder than Melbourne but pretty wet and still cool. Don't think its really any different.

I meant skiing bro