The biggest problem with the draft is......

[Maggie Greg]

Originally posted by Porthos


If the kids are getting lumped into a national u21 competition, aren't they just as likely to be moved interstate and get homesick; to struggle under increasing pressure to perform; to stress themselves through injury to show that they're good enough to be drafted (unlike an AFL 18 year old who has at least -some- security

Compare yourself between 18 to 21 (if you can). Would you have been better able to cope with a move away from your support network to another state where you know no one at 18 or at 21?

Originally posted by Porthos

I'm sure we all saw the example of Brad in Home Improvement who ****ed his knee up to impress a college soccer scout.

I nearly didnt answer when you admitted you watched that show! YUK!

Originally posted by Porthos
Ah, I see. So this is sour grapes from clubs that can't recruit then.

I am not talking from any club viewpoint here. I am talking from an overall perspective so the sour grapes comment is a furphy.

Originally posted by Porthos

As far as the health of the competition goes......how would it be better if every player under 21 was removed, right now?

That is not the point I am making. They wouldnt have been there in the first place and footballers froced to retire earlier would still get a game. Why does it work in the USA?

 

[Portia]

Originally posted by Maggie Greg
Compare yourself between 18 to 21 (if you can). Would you have been better able to cope with a move away from your support network to another state where you know no one at 18 or at 21? [/B]

I expect about the same. I was not much more settled at 21 than I was at 18. And yes, I spent a year overseas on a student exchange, so I have a clue.

That is not the point I am making. They wouldnt have been there in the first place and footballers froced to retire earlier would still get a game. Why does it work in the USA?

How does it work? Young players still get burnt out trying to compete for the relatively few spots in their sport available in America.

An u21 comp would do the following.....

1. Make the pool of AFL talent shallower
2. Still have players competing for their careers, because when they turn 21, their career can be over.
3. Still have players relocating, if it is a national competition.
4. Tear apart the state leagues even more, as -all- of their good u21s (as you point out, many of whom wouldn't be drafted anyway) would be taken into this comp to make up the numbers.

On the upside....
1. A top 30 draft pick will have a higher chance of being a player that is good.




If you want more surety....****, do you want to be able to take a player back and get another pick if you're not completely satisfied? No matter what, you're not going to remove the error from drafting.

 

[liz]

Couple of points

1 Leaving it up to the option of 15 year old kids as to whether they choose to continue their studies or nominate for the draft is a no brainer. What 15 year old would chose school over the chance to become a professional footballer. But that doesn't mean its the best thing for them. And even the best kids (if they are the ones being drafted at such a young age) aren't guaranteed a career in footy. Injuries can strike even the best talent down before it gets going. And the chances are likely to increase if players' bodies are thrown into the fray at that age.

2 Why take responsibility for coaching young players away from the organisations that have the greatest concentration of skilled people able to develop them. Surely one of the functions of AFL clubs is to develop talent.

I know these points are slightly contradictory - but taken together I think they point to the current draft age being about right - ie give the players a chance to finish school first and then absorb them into the most professional environment possible to enable them to become as good footballers as they can.