Under Age U17s - 2027 AFL Draft General Discussion

[Letarrowsfly]

16s

I didn’t hear details but i heard the 16’s won by 100 or thereabouts?

 

[jimjonesy1985]

I guess some parents were really unhappy with the selected u16 Oakleigh squad

 

[Jen2310]

Claims of nepotism and favouritism have been made against a key AFL draft pathway club, with parents calling for bans on officials selecting and coaching their own children.
The allegations centre on the Oakleigh Chargers, an elite club based in the south-eastern metropolitan region responsible for training and selecting top draftable junior players.

An assistant coach at the Oakleigh Chargers stepped aside last year amid a number of complaints about a conflict of interest because his son was part of the elite squad.

A number of parents and coaches have spoken to the Herald Sun about a widespread perception of favouritism in the way the Oakleigh Charges chooses its coveted 60-player squad from which the final 30 players are selected.

The stakes are high: the 2024 AFL draft picks number two and three both came from the Oakleigh Chargers - Finn O’Sullivan and Jagga Smith. Other greats of the game including Darcy Moore, Josh Gibson, Jack Viney, Jordan De Goey, Marc Murphy and Toby Greene have come through the club.

One parent made claims of “the blatant nepotism and cronyism on display, (with)

some players promoted in the program with far less ability as a result”.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting favouritism exists, only that the claim has been made.

Certain clubs, such as the Hawthorn Citizens, are thought to have an advantage due to their ties with Oakleigh personnel.

Analysis of the 60-person squad shows the Hawthorn Citizens had 11 players, Ashburton Redbacks ten, Blackburn eight and Balwyn Tigers seven.

Long-time Oakleigh Chargers coach Anthony Phillips also runs a coaching academy called Phillips Coaching.

Parents and other coaches told the Herald Sun there is a perception that players who do Phillips Coaching clinics are more visible to selectors.

Mr Philips declined to speak to the Herald Sun but has long denied any perception of bias. He is not directly involved in the selection of the 60 players.

The CEO of Phillips Coaching, which charges $150 for a three-hour session, is Simon Lloyd, brother of Essendon great Matthew Lloyd, the head coach at Haileybury.

Mr Phillips is also the head coach of Caulfield Grammar’s first XVIII side.

Such links to private schools also give rise to perceptions of bias among those whose children attend state schools or less prestigious private schools.

This year’s Oakleigh Chargers team was dominated by private school players, including eight from Scotch College, seven each from Carey Grammar, Xavier College and Camberwell Grammar and only five from state high schools. There are five from Caulfield Grammar.

A senior coach from a feeder club said:“When your kid is not getting the opportunity they should, you know it’s all about who you know or what school they went to.”

“People are really unhappy about it, the boys aren’t stupid, they know who deserves to be there.”

Some parents even change their address on official forms so they qualify for other teams than the Oakleigh Chargers because they believe they will be treated more fairly.

The parent of one talented state player who missed out on selection for the squad said it was “disheartening”.

“There should be a hard and fast rule that no parent sits on a selection committee or coaching panel,” they said.

“It’s all anyone’s been talking about on the sidelines. The trial squad is full of kids from one club who may have never even played in any league or representative team while others with impressive credentials have never even received an invite to trial.”

An AFL spokesman said: “The talent pathway programs are designed to develop and prepare players for the next stage of their football career, regardless of what level that may be”.

“All players are given equal opportunity, and we appreciate all the clubs, officials and volunteers that help young players reach their potential.

“We acknowledge the disappointment of families when the number of players is whittled down from extended training squads, to training squads and then final rep teams,” he said.

Its tough for list spots, doesn't mean the kids weren't worthy.

 

[Bayside Ben]

Good write up. Agree on all points.
Can you let us know who was missing?
For Oakleigh it was Bond, Brown, Hose and Deane-Johns

Riley Stratford, Noah Cumberland, Charlie Colquhoun

 

[EDFL follower]

I didn’t hear details but i heard the 16’s won by 100 or thereabouts?

Sorry you are correct. My information was incorrect

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Half Back Pocket]

20 out of 30 from Hawthorn, Ashburton and Balwyn

 

[Jen2310]

20 out of 30 from Hawthorn, Ashburton and Balwyn

Eli the only one from Kew [emoji23]
But yeah lots of hawks citizens and Ashburton

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Eli the only one from Kew [emoji23]
But yeah lots of hawks citizens and Ashburton

Josh De and Franklin are from Kew as well

8 Citz
7 Ashy
5 Balwyn

 

[Jen2310]

Josh De and Franklin are from Kew as well

8 Citz
7 Ashy
5 Balwyn

Ah yes. I wondered about that kid that doesn’t have a local club attached above.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Josh De and Franklin are from Kew as well

8 Citz
7 Ashy
5 Balwyn

The near Kew?

 

[GC2015]

Is Ted Fraser the son of former Collingwood & Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser? If so, that's another potential F/S pick coming up for the Pies. If he's any good I wouldn't mind getting him up to the Suns because we're still yet to have any sons of former players line up for us, but I can't imagine he'd be interested in playing for any club other than Collingwood.

I know Oscar King is an upcoming F/S pick for Geelong and he spent a few years in the Suns academy while the old man served as an assistant/interim coach for us. Unfortunately, Oscar didn't spend enough time in our academy to be draft eligible so he's free to join Geelong as a F/S pick (which he probably would have anyway).

Are there any other potential future F/S picks in that team?

 

[Jen2310]

Is Ted Fraser the son of former Collingwood & Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser? If so, that's another potential F/S pick coming up for the Pies. If he's any good I wouldn't mind getting him up to the Suns because we're still yet to have any sons of former players line up for us, but I can't imagine he'd be interested in playing for any club other than Collingwood.

I know Oscar King is an upcoming F/S pick for Geelong and he spent a few years in the Suns academy while the old man served as an assistant/interim coach for us. Unfortunately, Oscar didn't spend enough time in our academy to be draft eligible so he's free to join Geelong as a F/S pick (which he probably would have anyway).

Are there any other potential future F/S picks in that team?

Yup. Josh's son, correct. He's a pies kid, so would be the only place he'd be potentially headed if he keeps developing. Long way go though, he's skinny, raw and tall, but has potential.

Ted, Eli and Luke de valle. ( nga for Luke and Eli)

 

[GC2015]

Yup. Josh's son, correct. He's a pies kid, so would be the only place he'd be potentially headed if he keeps developing. Long way go to, he's skinny, raw and tall, but has potential.

Ted, Eli and Luke de valle. ( nga for Luke and Eli)

Gee whiz. Looks pretty tall already and I know Fraze was 202cm so there's potential for Ted to be very tall. I remember seeing him as a young fella after Suns games with Fraze / his wife and it's crazy to think that's the same kid that could end up being F/S'd to the Pies in two years. Like you suggested, still a very long way to go but I'm sure the Pies are doing everything they can to turn him into a draftable talent. It's actually quite remarkable to see how successful Collingwood have been with their F/S program. Another likely first rounder in Tom McGuane this year to join the Daicos boys and Darcy Moore. Potentially Ted Fraser a couple years later. Don't know what Collingwood are doing differently, but every team in the AFL should certainly be trying to replicate it with their own father-son prospects.

 

[Jen2310]

Gee whiz. Looks pretty tall already and I know Fraze was 202cm so there's potential for Ted to be very tall. I remember seeing him as a young fella after Suns games with Fraze / his wife and it's crazy to think that's the same kid that could end up being F/S'd to the Pies in two years. Like you suggested, still a very long way to go but I'm sure the Pies are doing everything they can to turn him into a draftable talent. It's actually quite remarkable to see how successful Collingwood have been with their F/S program. Another likely first rounder in Tom McGuane this year to join the Daicos boys and Darcy Moore. Potentially Ted Fraser a couple years later. Don't know what Collingwood are doing differently, but every team in the AFL should certainly be trying to replicate it with their own father-son prospects.

He's 196cm atm so wouldn't be surprised to see him reach 200cm come when he turns 18. Sam Darcy grew a few cm's even after he was drafted. Crazy how tall kids grow sometimes.

Just luck really. We have started putting more resources into out NGA/FS program (under the one banner the last few years) so they want to try to develop the talent the best they can. But in the end, you can win some or lose some Not all end up being draftable either, so talent, good development and some luck go your way.

 

[Eric Shin]

Yup. Josh's son, correct. He's a pies kid, so would be the only place he'd be potentially headed if he keeps developing. Long way go though, he's skinny, raw and tall, but has potential.

Ted, Eli and Luke de valle. ( nga for Luke and Eli)

What position does De Valle play, Jen?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Jen2310]

What position does De Valle play, Jen?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

Wing and the flanks ( both ends)

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Is Ted Fraser the son of former Collingwood & Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser? If so, that's another potential F/S pick coming up for the Pies. If he's any good I wouldn't mind getting him up to the Suns because we're still yet to have any sons of former players line up for us, but I can't imagine he'd be interested in playing for any club other than Collingwood.

I know Oscar King is an upcoming F/S pick for Geelong and he spent a few years in the Suns academy while the old man served as an assistant/interim coach for us. Unfortunately, Oscar didn't spend enough time in our academy to be draft eligible so he's free to join Geelong as a F/S pick (which he probably would have anyway).

Are there any other potential future F/S picks in that team?

Ted having 2 options is a good thing.

Oscar is developing well. Speaking to Kingy, think Oscar still has a significant growth spurt coming...he's about 188cm atm, and playing half back. With his genetics, you'd expect him to be 190's or more. He is strong and athletic with neat skills (left footer).

Ryder Brown (son of Nathan) is another excellent prospect playing at Blackburn. Fast, hard running outside mid with neat skills.

 

[Jen2310]

Ted having 2 options is a good thing.


Ryder Brown (son of Nathan) is another excellent prospect playing at Blackburn. Fast, hard running outside mid with neat skills.

I don't think Ted has two options? Josh spent a year at the suns and left QLD by 2016

 

[Yoda_]

Pretty sure eDPS could shed some light on the oakleigh selections? scoutis for them I believe

 

[GC2015]

Ted having 2 options is a good thing.

Oscar is developing well. Speaking to Kingy, think Oscar still has a significant growth spurt coming...he's about 188cm atm, and playing half back. With his genetics, you'd expect him to be 190's or more. He is strong and athletic with neat skills (left footer).

Ryder Brown (son of Nathan) is another excellent prospect playing at Blackburn. Fast, hard running outside mid with neat skills.

I don't think Ted has two options? Josh spent a year at the suns and left QLD by 2016

I believe Jen is correct. Ted spent approximately 5 and a half years living on the Gold Coast, but I don't think he played any junior footy here and Josh was well short of the 100 game F/S requirement for us. I guess you could loosely say he may have been a Suns fan as a very young boy and possibly remembers those days when Fraze played for the Suns, but I'm sure he's fully on board with the Pies these days. It would've been interesting to see what would happen if Fraze had more success as our reserves coach back in 2015 because he may have chosen to stay in Queensland and obviously that would've meant Ted likely joining our academy and then he would've been faced with a Nick Blakey situation of staying in the city he grew up in or moving to Melbourne to play for his dad's club. The same scenario Kalani White and Cooper Hodge will face over the next few years.

Anyway, you'd think Ted would be very happy to join the Pies if he's good enough. Probably next to zero chance of him ending up at the Suns, even though I would like to see our first ever son of a former player pulling on the guernsey and Ted Fraser + Sam Harris (North F/S eligible) are the first players that could make that a reality.

 

[Jen2310]

Some games this weekend.

Tomorrow:
Bendigo v Rebels 1:15pm @ highgate recreation reserve

Sunday:
Stingrays v Falcons 10:30am @ Trevor Barker Oval
Bushrangers v Gippsland 11am @ highgate recreation reserve

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Kid from Geelong called Banjo Savage

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Kid from Geelong called Banjo Savage

He's no Ford Gore.