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

[Auntie.Gerald]

NEAFL: Aliir primed for Suns - sydneyswans.com.au

Young Veale taking part this wknd

[Dosser]

There was a bit of chat in the Melbourne media yesterday about all clubs having a zone again (just like in the old days) and running an academy within that zone. I think it must have been a slow news day, but it was reported that Gil has it (not high) on the agenda to explore. I am assuming this is because the fat controller wants his own academy with priority recruits so the AFL is "looking into it'" before they will eventually scrap it.
I imagine that the two Adelaide and Perth clubs would be salivating at the thought...

[Meg]

There was a bit of chat in the Melbourne media yesterday about all clubs having a zone again (just like in the old days) and running an academy within that zone. I think it must have been a slow news day, but it was reported that Gil has it (not high) on the agenda to explore. I am assuming this is because the fat controller wants his own academy with priority recruits so the AFL is "looking into it'" before they will eventually scrap it.
I imagine that the two Adelaide and Perth clubs would be salivating at the thought...

It was reported last month that this was one of the ideas being considered in the review of second tier comps being undertaken by Bill Kelty, a former AFL Commissioner.
In my view this would take the AFL backwards and be a contradiction to the push for equalisation that the AFL has been claiming as their objective. It would be much to the disadvantage of the non-traditional AFL states where the academies are striving to develop the game, not just grab ownership of local rusted-on AFL talent.

"THE ERA of recruiting zones could be revisited under a plan being pushed by club officials that would see every club have priority access to its own academy. As the AFL continues to review the best talent pathway for draft prospects, the renewed calls have come during a review of the second-tier competitions, which is being headed by former AFL Commissioner Bill Kelty."

AFL may consider reintroducing recruiting zones for all 18 clubs - AFL.com.au

[ugg]

Josh Dunkley played for Richmond's VFL team yesterday - 3 kicks 6 handballs 1 mark 1 free against

[Reggi]

I note yesterday. Terryvwallace seems pretty certain Josh is going to Richmond in the draft

[707]

I note yesterday. Terryvwallace seems pretty certain Josh is going to Richmond in the draft

He'd know stuff all although it is worrying that Dunkley is embedded with Richmond and they are likely to have a pick around the 10-11 mark to grab him if he doesn't nominate to join us. Josh has to weigh up the certainty of joining us or if going into the draft taking a chance that he gets selected before Richmond have their pick, say to a quagmire like Essendon.

Fairly sure that if we give him the nod he will take the certainty of playing for the club he supports.

Currently Mills 188cm and Dunkley 189cm are both the size of midfielders we need. Dunkley of course could play other roles like third tall back. Important we take the plunge and burn whatever picks necessary to get them both.

[lwjoyner]

Re qualization. Surely having the ability to field own teams in VFL is not right for what The dawks and pies are asking for indeed the scrays as well. McGuire etc should remember this. Agree that giving Victorian clubs a zone will be a backward step. Also has McGuire commented on the fact that 2 players able to be taken by the pies as father son but were not are playing well elsewhere. Cant even get FS selections right how can they look after a zone.
Maybe the northern states should ask these questions.

[Mug Punter]

He'd know stuff all although it is worrying that Dunkley is embedded with Richmond and they are likely to have a pick around the 10-11 mark to grab him if he doesn't nominate to join us. Josh has to weigh up the certainty of joining us or if going into the draft taking a chance that he gets selected before Richmond have their pick, say to a quagmire like Essendon.

Fairly sure that if we give him the nod he will take the certainty of playing for the club he supports.

Currently Mills 188cm and Dunkley 189cm are both the size of midfielders we need. Dunkley of course could play other roles like third tall back. Important we take the plunge and burn whatever picks necessary to get them both.

About Pick 10 is the general consensus of what he is worth.

One would think he'd go for the club he supports but I'll support whatever the young lad decides.

Having two ready-made new mids plus Jones, Hewett and Heeney coming through should see us well served for mids for years to come

[Mug Punter]

There was a bit of chat in the Melbourne media yesterday about all clubs having a zone again (just like in the old days) and running an academy within that zone. I think it must have been a slow news day, but it was reported that Gil has it (not high) on the agenda to explore. I am assuming this is because the fat controller wants his own academy with priority recruits so the AFL is "looking into it'" before they will eventually scrap it.
I imagine that the two Adelaide and Perth clubs would be salivating at the thought...

The SA and WA effectively have their own zones already but they do occasionally lose a player they like. Think their local content is around the %80-90 local content mark.

I'd be in favour of the Melbourne clubs having zones again as I actually think it facilitates local development and engagement. It would also require the GWS and Sydney zones to be locked in forever.

I'd also expect the Melbourne clubs to fund their own academies like we do.

The best thing about it is that it would see the Melbourne clubs start eating each other as self interest takes over.

[Mug Punter]

The SA and WA effectively have their own zones already but they do occasionally lose a player they like. Think their local content is around the 80-90% local content mark.

I'd be in favour of the Melbourne clubs having zones again as I actually think it facilitates local development and engagement. It would also require the GWS and Sydney zones to be locked in forever.

I'd also expect the Melbourne clubs to fund their own academies like we do.

The best thing about it is that it would see the Melbourne clubs start eating each other as self interest takes over.

My preferred situation would be for the Swans to not be in the draft at all and live or die by our academy.

[barry]

My preferred situation would be for the Swans to not be in the draft at all and live or die by our academy.

Agreed. We are low users of the draft
. Our list is made up of locals , rookies and free agents

[Mug Punter]

Agreed. We are low users of the draft
. Our list is made up of locals , rookies and free agents

And with the academy system as amended we can now build a local list with certainty.

All this talk of a level playing field is pathetic when it ignores the one massive disadvantage that we have in having interstate kids. Granted we have created a culture that kids and their families like but it is a massive disadvantage to states like WA and SA where the local content is up around the 80% + level.

Provided the system isn't too successful I can see it serving our needs for years to come. And I think we'll see the likes of Heeney and Mills being the exception to the rule. But I also think we will draft a lot of kids at 30 - 60 who provide great value because we know them so well. And that will be the best result of all because we can always ask the other clubs why they didn't draft them when they could.

The building of a 75% local content list must be the goal of the Swans within 10 years. And I can see it happening too - if we are to be able to live without COLA we need to.

I'd like to see our long term strategy being having three of our four picks being the best three academy kids.

[The Big Cat]

I'd like to see our long term strategy being having three of our four picks being the best three academy kids.

Hell of a risk! There could be years where there is no-one worthy of a first or second round choice.

[111431]

Hell of a risk! There could be years where there is no-one worthy of a first or second round choice.

fully agree - we are delusional if we truly believe we can be a competitive side with just academy based picks

[Mug Punter]

fully agree - we are delusional if we truly believe we can be a competitive side with just academy based picks

I think if we had true unfettered access to the academy and father-son that the good crops would outweight the bad.

On a practical level I think we should always have a third and fourth rounder fron the academy and most years a second round pick too. I accept there will be some years where we go to the general pot for our first rounder, especially if he is top 10