NEAFL 2014 Revamp

[Ludwig]

You were spot on Ugg. This one really took me by surprise. Let the discussion begin.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2013-08-16/neafl-revamped-in-2014

[Swansongster]

You were spot on Ugg. This one really took me by surprise. Let the discussion begin.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2...vamped-in-2014

Interesting development. Probably deserves its own thread.

I am glad that Sydney University survived. Could be an excellent nursery with the right resources and a great opportunity to provide academic and AFL pursuits for rookies.

[jono2707]

You were spot on Ugg. This one really took me by surprise. Let the discussion begin.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2...vamped-in-2014

Good news - will further strengthen the comp and give our Ressies players more exposure to the other AFL lists.

[wolftone57]

You were spot on Ugg. This one really took me by surprise. Let the discussion begin.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2...vamped-in-2014

Most interesting and about time too. The Northern conference/Eastern conference strata just did not work. The other thing I would like to see is the development of the stronger clubs to be even better through financial rewards so they can chase good ex-AFL and current VFL, SANFL, TASFL & WAFL players. This is the type of league I have been advocating all along. This could be a very strong reserves comp for the NSW & QLD AFL teams. Wonderful news.

Interesting changes. Mitchell for a rest so his body doesn't get so beaten up I should think. BJ because he needs a full game and is not quite there yet., he has been a revelation though. I like the thought of Lamb and Rohan in the same side, speed demon meets the Wiz. Not sure about Benny he looked not at all there last week, as though he was still on an enforced holiday. Shaw is not right yet either, I don't care what anyone says, he was pretty ordinary last week but he had a few mates.

[Triple B]

I am glad that Sydney University survived. Could be an excellent nursery with the right resources and a great opportunity to provide academic and AFL pursuits for rookies.

They're too busy poaching every Super 15 player they can get their grubby hands on so they can dominate the Shute Shield then worrying about AFL.

Scumbags.

[wolftone57]

They're too busy poaching every Super 15 player they can get their grubby hands on so they can dominate the Shute Shield then worrying about AFL.

Scumbags.

What is the Shute Shield?

[ernie koala]

What is the Shute Shield?

The Sydney club rugby comp...In which Sydney uni has been one of the dominant teams for years.

[stellation]

The Sydney club rugby comp...In which Sydney uni has been one of the dominant teams for years.

They still play club rugby?

[Doctor]

I like the look of the changes. It will obviously increase travel and accommodation costs for the clubs involved but I would hope that the AFL is underwriting that to some extent to help them out. Overall it makes the league look more serious and structured as well as making it more likely that the players will get a decent game each week. Cautiously optimistic thumbs up from me at this stage!

[Gezball]

I'm surprised that the new comp will have more non-afl aligned Canberra teams (4) than non-aligned Qld teams (3).

[justabaraker]

I'm surprised that the new comp will have more non-afl aligned Canberra teams (4) than non-aligned Qld teams (3).

We Sydney-siders reckon that, if you don't live in Sydney then you're living in the country...
...four Canberra teams, two from Sydney (ie, six from 'down here')
PLUS three from southern QLD, one from Townsville/Mackay/Cairns, and one from NT (ie. five from 'up there somewhere')

Sounds fair enough to me !!

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The AFL has identified that the areas that really need to be pumped up quickly are indigenous/Islands (because of the pool of talent and relative lack of opposition interest at the moment), and NSW/ACT (because of the GWS Giants and the TV rights deal).
So it's NSW/ACT plus North QLD and the NT Thunder as PLAN A.
Obviously southern QLD needs to be developed too, but that is not quite so urgent.

Wolftone, the AFL has never shown much interest is using ex-AFL players to augment smaller comps, and they probably wouldn't do so now either. I like your point, and I might have used them myself if I were in charge but, oh well, more highly paid minds than ours are on the case.
So there.

[Bloody Hell]

I'm surprised they didn't take the long view and include a team from Newcastle, such as the Blues, or create a new rep team.

It would pick up the best players from the Black Diamond League and be more than competitive. The catchment is from the Central Coast to Singleton to Nelson Bay. It's a pretty massive area being overlooked, particularly considering the recent success the Swannies had in Newy with the top ups. I believe the ruckman they used has played more and may be rookied next year.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think this is a progressive move

I do wonder what is being done to continually engage kids and elite development around that 8yrs to 11 yrs of age?

At the moment Auskick happens but what occurs re elite development ?

Take soccer for example .........you can access skill development academies left right and centre......... every suburb has some sort of skill training squad separate to the local teams

Beyond that local access - kids can apply to get into one of 20 or so high level development squads located in each state ie up to 120 or so elite development squads Aust wide which then engage and train 2,400 plus kids under 11 yrs of age to become elite soccer players

Soccer is a massive competitor

[Doctor]

The Swans and Giants junior academies have addressed that to a degree, and the kids going through there are very talented I can assure you, but you make a very good point.

Having said that, as a father whose son is a fairly handy soccer AND footy player, most of the junior soccer academies are cash cows first and genuine pathways to the top second.

[wolftone57]

The Sydney club rugby comp...In which Sydney uni has been one of the dominant teams for years.

Oh! Bum Sniffers LOL

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I like the look of the changes. It will obviously increase travel and accommodation costs for the clubs involved but I would hope that the AFL is underwriting that to some extent to help them out. Overall it makes the league look more serious and structured as well as making it more likely that the players will get a decent game each week. Cautiously optimistic thumbs up from me at this stage!

Other than the cost of transport & accommodation everything about this proposal is positive. Only the strongest clubs, who have a good record of fiscal management and on-field success are in the new comp. These sides should be able to attract players who have played AFL, better players from the other reserves comps and that means their juniors will develop at a far faster rate. That can only mean a stronger, improved comp and a stronger development outcome. One of the problems in the past has been the lack of sponsorship available to the sides having so many teams. This is no longer a problem and the sponsors will now see this as a true second tier comp rather than a third or fourth tier. This means bigger bucks to spend on players and transport. The AFL will come to the party with its development fund I should think for young player development. This comp looks very exciting but one of the interesting things about it is the how strong it seems the Canberra clubs are.

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We Sydney-siders reckon that, if you don't live in Sydney then you're living in the country...
...four Canberra teams, two from Sydney (ie, six from 'down here')
PLUS three from southern QLD, one from Townsville/Mackay/Cairns, and one from NT (ie. five from 'up there somewhere')

Sounds fair enough to me !!

- - - Updated - - -

The AFL has identified that the areas that really need to be pumped up quickly are indigenous/Islands (because of the pool of talent and relative lack of opposition interest at the moment), and NSW/ACT (because of the GWS Giants and the TV rights deal).
So it's NSW/ACT plus North QLD and the NT Thunder as PLAN A.
Obviously southern QLD needs to be developed too, but that is not quite so urgent.

Wolftone, the AFL has never shown much interest is using ex-AFL players to augment smaller comps, and they probably wouldn't do so now either. I like your point, and I might have used them myself if I were in charge but, oh well, more highly paid minds than ours are on the case.
So there.

It's not up to the AFL to use ex-AFL players to augment the comp. What I am saying is that with the new format and the possible existence of some decent sponsorship the sides might now be able to afford these players. Previously the problem has always been trying to match the match fees paid by the likes of VFL, SANFL & WAFL and failing dismally due to lack of funds. This revamped comp with the limited teams will now allow those teams to chase sponsorship to build a better fiscal base. This will allow them to buy a better class of player to ensure they are a stronger side. In turn will fast track the development of the younger players because they are playing with top quality professional footballers. A win/win situation as far as I am concerned. Instead of losing development players that we have to drop from our list because they are not quite ready Swans, GWS, Lions & Suns can see them develop in our own state comp. At the moment they have to go to VFL, SANFL or WAFL, see Rampe who we nearly lost to the Bullies only they were too stupid to take him.

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I'm surprised they didn't take the long view and include a team from Newcastle, such as the Blues, or create a new rep team.

It would pick up the best players from the Black Diamond League and be more than competitive. The catchment is from the Central Coast to Singleton to Nelson Bay. It's a pretty massive area being overlooked, particularly considering the recent success the Swannies had in Newy with the top ups. I believe the ruckman they used has played more and may be rookied next year.

I agree the Black Diamond League is actually really strong and deserves it's own team. I haven't seen Dawe play but will today. Even if he is a mature age rookie (don't know how old he is) it would be good as he seems to be pretty accomplished.

- - - Updated - - -

I think this is a progressive move

I do wonder what is being done to continually engage kids and elite development around that 8yrs to 11 yrs of age?

At the moment Auskick happens but what occurs re elite development ?

Take soccer for example .........you can access skill development academies left right and centre......... every suburb has some sort of skill training squad separate to the local teams

Beyond that local access - kids can apply to get into one of 20 or so high level development squads located in each state ie up to 120 or so elite development squads Aust wide which then engage and train 2,400 plus kids under 11 yrs of age to become elite soccer players

Soccer is a massive competitor

I agree soccer is a massive competitor. But it is bloody expensive to put kids through these soccer programs. Even for a kid to play in a junior comp is expensive, around $4,000/year. We need to promote the non contact nature of the junior comps and the fact we don't charge a fortune for development services. We need to set up a state-wide development and coaching team charged with coaching, educating, training new coaches & umpires and promoting the game in schools.

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The Swans and Giants junior academies have addressed that to a degree, and the kids going through there are very talented I can assure you, but you make a very good point.

Having said that, as a father whose son is a fairly handy soccer AND footy player, most of the junior soccer academies are cash cows first and genuine pathways to the top second.

I agree with them being cash cows. Every person who I talk with who has kids playing soccer say they are almost going broke with the playing fees let alone the Junior Elite Development Programs. One father who's daughter is in one of the elite programs said he is paying $14,000/year for her development and junior comp U14. Then they get to the so called elite level of A League or Wome's League and then the clubs want in the tens of thousands to draft them so parets pay out once again. This is why we pick up soccer players after about the age of 14/15 because the parents can no longer afford the fees, other than the boys & girls start to find soccer boring at that age.