Why no Indigenous recruits??

[ernie koala]

It was interesting to read Goodesy's thoughts, bemoaning the fact we have no young indigenous players coming through, and his and Micks desire to play a mentoring role. Our recruiters have missed countless opportunities over the past 5 years (the Roos era), and time is fast running out to take advantage of having 2 fine veteran players wanting to take on this role. (Both in the Indigenous team of the century.) I for one, hope our recruiters see this as an opportunity and get out there and find some indigenous boys, with pace and skill, to put onto our rookie list at least.

[reigning premier]

I personally hope we just recruit the best players possible regardless of their ancestry or background.

[ernie koala]

I personally hope we just recruit the best players possible regardless of their ancestry or background.

As I've argued extensively before (thanks Liz), our recruiters don't appear to be that flash at finding "the best possible player", whether that's because the draft is a lottery, or that they just haven't been good at it, is another arguement. My point is, we have two team of the century indigenous players, in our ranks, who want to be mentors. We have a team which has plenty of grunt but is lacking skill and pace. The attributes most often found in Indigenous players are skill, pace, awareness. This alone makes it good sense to take a punt on some young Indigenous boys.

[Puppy Eyes]

As I've argued extensively before (thanks Liz), our recruiters don't appear to be that flash at finding "the best possible player", whether that's because the draft is a lottery, or that they just haven't been good at it, is another arguement. My point is, we have two team of the century indigenous players, in our ranks, who want to be mentors. We have a team which has plenty of grunt but is lacking skill and pace. The attributes most often found in Indigenous players are skill, pace, awareness. This alone makes it good sense to take a punt on some young Indigenous boys.

Perhaps you could identify which indigenous footballers the Swans have overlooked?

[ROK Lobster]

Perhaps you could identify which indigenous footballers the Swans have overlooked?

The black ones.

[AnnieH]

There isn't a lot out there. I think this year there's only about 80 indigenous players.

Weren't we supposed to get Rioli at one stage?

I'll also take Johnson from Fweo. I won't say no to Buddy, and I'll take Chance only if he grows his hair back.

[giant]

The black ones.

Does Humphrey count then? More brown really.

[ROK Lobster]

Does Humphrey count then? More brown really.

Humphrey looks indigenous to North America to me.

[ScottH]

Humphrey looks indigenous to North America to me.

Well we already have one of them, now.

[ernie koala]

Perhaps you could identify which indigenous footballers the Swans have overlooked?

Here are some players from the last 4 years, missed not just by the swans, by most clubs..
Cyril Rioli.......pick 12 draft
Alwyn Davey....rookie list
Arran Davey.....rookie list
Danuel Pierce....rookie list
Andrew Lovett....rookie list
Nathan Krakouer....pick 39
Eddie Betts......pre season draft
James Gwilt ...pick 63
Josh Gibson.....mature rookie
Micheal Johnson....pre season draft

Would hate to have a couple of these guys on our list.

[ROK Lobster]

Well we already have one of them, now.

Ernie might be our man if we need an indigenous bear.

[ernie koala]

Ernie might be our man if we need an indigenous bear.

I'm slow, have very little skill, virtually no awareness....where do I sign??

[dimelb]

Ernie might be our man if we need an indigenous bear.

He's a marsupial - carries his young in his pouch.

[bandwagon]

I'm slow, have very little skill, virtually no awareness....where do I sign??

But are you willing to be knocked unconscious for the Bloods?

Your list is very interesting (and I'm sure it could be expanded - Nahas for example). All clearly worthy of a place on the list, and some very good players there. But very few taken with early picks. Clearly the Swans are not the only ones with trouble identifying a particular sort of talent.

[Bloody Hell]

I agree with you Ernie - and made the same point last year at the time of the Marn Grook Trophy - if we have no indigenous players do we still get to contest it?

I'm not suggesting a quota system is implimented for aboriginals, it's just that in many cases it is difficult to adjust to the AFL "system" as many come from lower/completely different socio-economic backgrounds than 95% of footy players. There are a stack of young players coming to the club every year, surely it would be worth a punt on one of these guys - it is often noted that they contain an x-factor. I wonder if the club just puts this in the too hard basket...?

Having these two champions of the game at our club to mentor young aboriginal boys is a great resource that should be tapped.