Swans Academy and player watch

[dimelb]

I think the feeling is different since we secured Tippett and Buddy.

There's truth in that, but there are still fans and members who operate on the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend!

[Doctor]

Eddie McGuire would eat Kochy for breakfast, on Sunrise!!

Respectfully, I think you're significantly underselling David Koch.

In more general terms, if Eddie gets our Academy taken away, and those of the Giants and our friends up north, it will be FAR more damaging to the code that the removal of the COLA. The academies aren't about the northern clubs gaining exclusive access to the best local juniors, the AFL has already ensured that (not unreasonably). They're about developing kids who would be either not receive the level of training that's available in other states or lost to other sports completely. Eddie is welcome to send his scouts along to watch our juniors play, once they reach the age that the AFL allows this to happen, and track their development just like they would with any other junior. All we get is the chance to set aside one pick for one kid. That's it. He really does need to pull his head in.

[DamY]

Thanks for your perspective Doc, as someone who's son is actually in the academy you may have an idea of what it's all about. Eddie is such a twat. Actually that is degrading to twats. Eddie is just godawful

[Melb Blood Bro]

Respectfully, I think you're significantly underselling David Koch.

In more general terms, if Eddie gets our Academy taken away, and those of the Giants and our friends up north, it will be FAR more damaging to the code that the removal of the COLA. The academies aren't about the northern clubs gaining exclusive access to the best local juniors, the AFL has already ensured that (not unreasonably). They're about developing kids who would be either not receive the level of training that's available in other states or lost to other sports completely. Eddie is welcome to send his scouts along to watch our juniors play, once they reach the age that the AFL allows this to happen, and track their development just like they would with any other junior. All we get is the chance to set aside one pick for one kid. That's it. He really does need to pull his head in.

Isn't it two picks?

[Mel_C]

Now Eddie has the AFL saying our academy must be looked at as it is not fair we have access to the talent and that it is unfair. There really is lots of hatred for swans in Victoria.

I have really had enough of Eddie ????. If I could swear hear I would!!

[liz]

Just on Heeney's game last weekend, I took away the impression that he played well within himself. Although he started in the middle for the first centre bounce, he spent large parts of the game at half forward rather than in the midfield, and even around contests, he seemed to be holding back, rather than going in full bore. I've seen him play a few NEAFL games now, and while his role in those games has been a little different (in the sense that he's a top up player and therefore essentially playing second fiddle to the listed Swans, as opposed to captain and star player for the Rams), I've definitely got the sense of him going in harder. It might just be a slightly different style of footy at U18 level compared to the semi-professional NEAFL. Could it be that players are instructed to be a little less physical than when they play "senior footy" as many underage players will do at times, whether for their local clubs or at NEAFL/SANFL/WAFL level? Or maybe he was used sparingly in the midfield to manage his game time, given these youngsters have been playing TAC Cup regularly and now have three U18 championship games in relatively quick succession?

Not withstanding he appeared to be quite restrained at the contests, there is no doubting his ability to make quick decisions and to generally use the ball well when he has it.

Speaking of ball use, Saturday was the first time I've seen Mills play and his ball use was sensational. At this stage he's a little slighter than Heeney (though a year younger too) and maybe slightly more outside. If Heeney projects as a Parker type (and is excellent overhead, which he has in common with Luke), Mills looks to be more in the mold of a McVeigh - someone who can burrow in and win the hard ball but delivers real value via his creative decision making and pinpoint passing.

[liz]

Now Eddie has the AFL saying our academy must be looked at as it is not fair we have access to the talent and that it is unfair. There really is lots of hatred for swans in Victoria.

Does he? Eddie is the only public figure I have heard whinging about it thus far.

[Matt80]

There is an article in the Herald Sun by John Ralf saying that Heeney is a top three selection in 2014, while Mills is projected to be the top selection in 2015.

What is our academy doing better than other football nurseries like the Calder Canons or Western Jets?

If the Swans were not producing players like Heeney, Mills and Davis, would Eddie care?

[ernie koala]

Who reckons Eddie has no influence??
No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

It's not only in the media where he bangs on about his version of 'equalisation', he's also on the advisory committee for it.

Hopefully any changes don't effect the 2014 Draft RE : Heeney....

But I'll bet there will be changes for the 2015 Draft RE: Mills and Dunkley.

[Matt80]

Who reckons Eddie has no influence??
No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

It's not only in the media where he bangs on about his version of 'equalisation', he's also on the advisory committee for it.

Hopefully any changes don't effect the 2014 Draft RE : Heeney....

But I'll bet there will be changes for the 2015 Draft RE: Mills and Dunkley.

Dunkley won't be affected as he is a father/son and Collingwood do well out of the father/son arrangement. It may mean that Dunkley may need to be taken earlier.

Even if they change the academy rules, can you imagine the number of former academy young players who will say to the interstate clubs who drafted them "I'm feeling the go home factor and want to return to Sydney to be with my mates in Bondi".

A Callam Mills can also say to a Collingwood recruiter "if you draft me I will be back to Sydney after my two years".

[Reggi]

Andrew Pridham is not happy. Interested to see what Mike Fitzpatrick has to say

[Conor_Dillon]

Jon Ralph is Eddie's little puppet. Any topic Eddie decides to bang on about you can bet your bottom dollar that 'The Buzz' will be all over it and will write a story about it.
He has been as anti-Sydney as any figure in the media ever since we signed Tippett and enough is enough.
I can see why it is fair enough that the COLA had to be modified, but to want to scrap the academies? That is absolutely ludicrous.
We shouldn't be too worried though, the AFL has invested far too much in the Northern states to fundamentally damage the progress now by getting rid of the academies.
They would look at it this way: for every 12-13 year old that is involved with an acadamy, it is another family that becomes part of the AFL community. This means potential new members, potential new spectators and a general vast increase in AFL interest in these rugby dominated states.
The AFL has always taken a long term view on Australian Rules in the northern states and makes no secret of the fact that in 20 or 30 or 40 years it wants to be the number 1 sport across the entirety of the country.
They won't look at Heeney and Mills as an unfair advantage to the Swans, they'll look at them as potential poster boys of AFL development in NSW and utilise them to grow the sport even more. Being able to recruit local talent to their home states is one of the final pieces of the AFL puzzle in making our great sport a truly national competition.

[ernie koala]

Dunkley won't be affected as he is a father/son and Collingwood do well out of the father/son arrangement. It may mean that Dunkley may need to be taken earlier.

Even if they change the academy rules, can you imagine the number of former academy young players who will say to the interstate clubs who drafted them "I'm feeling the go home factor and want to return to Sydney to be with my mates in Bondi".

A Callam Mills can also say to a Collingwood recruiter "if you draft me I will be back to Sydney after my two years".

You say "Dunkley won't be effected by changes", then go on to say," he may have to be taken earlier" ? ie: His draft status may well be effected by any changes to the academy rules.

In terms of players like Mills, attempting to blackmail interstate clubs into not drafting them... I think that is pretty much a thing of the past. It also leaves a question mark over the players character.

Most players accept where ever they are drafted to...They just want to play AFL. It's then up to the club to make them want to stay.

[Reggi]

I am happy to join in any mass protest by cancell8ng Foxtel. If foxtwl wanted to charge etcs I am sure they could be forced to waive

[Jewels]

In terms of players like Mills, attempting to blackmail interstate clubs into not drafting them... I think that is pretty much a thing of the past. It also leaves a question mark over the players character.

Most players accept where ever they are drafted to...They just want to play AFL. It's then up to the club to make them want to stay.

I thought I read somewhere that Chad Wingard used that very tactic on GWS to deter them from drafting him and from reading Emma Quails book "The Draft", Cyril Rioli responded in a similar vein to try to ensure he played at a Melbourne club.
I agree that players do just want to play but, in particular the top talent, would pretty much be assured they are going to be drafted, so could very easily deter unsuitable suitor clubs by their behavior and answers in interview situations now that there are at least two clubs in every state.