2015 academy discussion thread (with some FS thrown in for good measure)

[Number 43]

Maybe all teams should have academies. It would mean going back to zoning of some sort for Melbourne teams, but then at least the complaining might stop. Let the Melbourne clubs fight all of that out amongst themselves and we can be left to develop local talent. In the end, it would come down to the ability of clubs to foster talent. The NSW and QLD teams would have the advantage of drawing upon a larger area, which is probably compensation for being in non traditional AFL states. If each club nominated a maximum of 2 or 3 players from their zone each year then other clubs would be free to draft any players not nominated.

[Conor_Dillon]

Yes, please tell.

Out of interest, for those that have seen both Heeney and Mills play (and I've not yet seen the latter), does the theory that Mills is even better stack up - and in what ways?

And while I am at it, has anyone seen Dunkley Jr play and able to provide a take on him?

Mills is more of a pure inside player and less flashy, but found much more of the ball than Heeney in the games they played together. He isn't an inside plodder though he is pretty quick around the ground and seems to have pretty good skills and whilst maybe not as strong overhead as Heeney he will certainly fly for a mark! From all reports too the kid is a natural born leader.

Haven't seen as much of Dunkley but he is a big bodied inside mid with a slightly awkward kicking action. Will be interesting to see if he is one of those kids that has been dominant due to always being bigger than all of his opponents or if he is legitimately that good. Very strong tackler and hard at it as you could imagine he would be, being Andrew's son. Also seems to bob up in the goalkickers a fair bit and is the captain of Gippsland's under 18s TAC Cup this year, will no doubt feature for Vic Country in the national champs again. Oh and played senior football for Sale at the tender age of 15 which is one of the stronger leagues in Victoria...speaks volumes for his toughness.

[Nico]

Maybe all teams should have academies. It would mean going back to zoning of some sort for Melbourne teams, but then at least the complaining might stop. Let the Melbourne clubs fight all of that out amongst themselves and we can be left to develop local talent. In the end, it would come down to the ability of clubs to foster talent. The NSW and QLD teams would have the advantage of drawing upon a larger area, which is probably compensation for being in non traditional AFL states. If each club nominated a maximum of 2 or 3 players from their zone each year then other clubs would be free to draft any players not nominated.

That is far too simple for the AFL to get their head around.
On EM; narcassistic people like him can only ever see it their way. Hence his failure as Ch9 GM. They will only have it their way and always to the detriment of the business. I have met many of these people and all come from the same mould. Interestingly smart people in their circle use them and they have no idea it is happening.He will never change. The best thing that can happen is if the CFC board flick him and he comes irrelevant.

[S.S. Bleeder]

I think they could just make a rule that if you play for the Murray Bushrangers you are ineligible for the bidding process. That way more marginal prospects still get a go.

I can see the next move that Fat Eddie will make will be to get the academy zones reduced in size. I think that after the AFL has adjusted COLA and the FS/Academy bidding system that will be his only avenue of attack left for him.

[Swansongster]

That is far too simple for the AFL to get their head around.
On EM; narcassistic people like him can only ever see it their way. Hence his failure as Ch9 GM. They will only have it their way and always to the detriment of the business. I have met many of these people and all come from the same mould. Interestingly smart people in their circle use them and they have no idea it is happening.He will never change. The best thing that can happen is if the CFC board flick him and he comes irrelevant.

I think he may only have one more poor season (hopefully 2015) before the lynch mob starts looking for rope and a tree. Collingwood needs change at the top (Sorry mods for aiding the drift off-topic).

BOT - I don't think the AFL will ever go back to zones but if the Swans academy continues to produce champions they may look to take it over or use it as a template for development areas.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Maybe all teams should have academies. It would mean going back to zoning of some sort for Melbourne teams, but then at least the complaining might stop. Let the Melbourne clubs fight all of that out amongst themselves and we can be left to develop local talent. In the end, it would come down to the ability of clubs to foster talent. The NSW and QLD teams would have the advantage of drawing upon a larger area, which is probably compensation for being in non traditional AFL states. If each club nominated a maximum of 2 or 3 players from their zone each year then other clubs would be free to draft any players not nominated.

I'd be happy with that. But the clubs would have to be limited to zones within their own state and the Victorian clubs will be whinging.

[dimelb]

I'd be happy with that. But the clubs would have to be limited to zones within their own state and the Victorian clubs will be whinging.

...or fighting over Tasmania!

[rb4x]

A bit worried if they take Riverina off GWS. The VFL will probably look to then slice off a piece of Swans territory to give to GWS as compensation.

[DamY]

A bit worried if they take Riverina off GWS. The VFL will probably look to then slice off a piece of Swans territory to give to GWS as compensation.

GWS already have a way larger section of the state! Metro Sydney is pretty even though

[Pmcc2911]

Intersting to note that 2 of that 2012 U/16 squad are on the Swans list, it will be interesting to see how many of the 2015 Academy players make it to an AFL list (i.e. those in addition to Mills)

[Mug Punter]

Maybe all teams should have academies. It would mean going back to zoning of some sort for Melbourne teams, but then at least the complaining might stop. Let the Melbourne clubs fight all of that out amongst themselves and we can be left to develop local talent. In the end, it would come down to the ability of clubs to foster talent. The NSW and QLD teams would have the advantage of drawing upon a larger area, which is probably compensation for being in non traditional AFL states. If each club nominated a maximum of 2 or 3 players from their zone each year then other clubs would be free to draft any players not nominated.

As appealing as that sounds to us it would actually be quite disastrous for the comp.

West Coast and Freo would have lists so strong that no one else would ever get a look.

I think that any further changes are highly unlikely except probably bringing the F/S discount into line with the academy.

I would also think that perhaps there is some chance of players from the academies having the chance to reject the selection as they can with F/S and I wouldn't think we'd have too much to worry about there but GWS would because Riverana boys may well prefer to go to Melbourne.

Any further watering down and we should launch a legal challenge against the entire damn draft if they screw us any more

[Meg]

"GWS boss David Matthews has slammed suggestions the AFL would review the boundaries of their academy zone because the Giants enjoy some traditional Aussie rules strong holds in particular the Riverina."
"Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham threw his support behind Matthews? stance and warned critics of the system to back off.
?The academy system and the ability to develop talent in NSW and Queensland is incredibly important to the AFL. It should be left alone for a while to see how it develops,? Pridham said.
No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

[Pmcc2911]

Intersting to note that 2 of that 2012 U/16 squad are on the Swans list, it will be interesting to see how many of the 2015 Academy players make it to an AFL list (i.e. those in addition to Mills)

+ Foote. + Hiscox

[dimelb]

"GWS boss David Matthews has slammed suggestions the AFL would review the boundaries of their academy zone because the Giants enjoy some traditional Aussie rules strong holds in particular the Riverina."
"Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham threw his support behind Matthews? stance and warned critics of the system to back off.
?The academy system and the ability to develop talent in NSW and Queensland is incredibly important to the AFL. It should be left alone for a while to see how it develops,? Pridham said.
No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

I think Pridham's right. Too much of the stuff going on at AFL level smacks of knee-jerk response. Let's leave it for a while and see what happens.

[Big Al]

I think Pridham's right. Too much of the stuff going on at AFL level smacks of knee-jerk response. Let's leave it for a while and see what happens.

Never though I'd pine for the days of Demetriou. The clown in charge at the moment is just a puppet for a certain club president who I can't name due the swear filter going berserk.

They didn't seem to have issues when the Premiers of the last 2 years added a gun defender and a top 10 draft pick to their ranks. The hypocrisy at the AFL is breathtaking at the moment.

[rant over]