Rnd.12 Match Day Thread. GWS V Sydney. 4.40pm at Spotless.

[liz]

I don't suppose any of us knows definitively how the AFL prioritises the motivations for the academies, but my take on it was that the first and foremost objective was to create a development pathway for AFL in NSW and Queensland, not just to increase the number of elite players but to provide a broad opportunity for athletically talented juniors to get access to better coaching. Across the four academies, there are probably close to a thousand youngsters involved in the programmes at any one time.

Having decided that use of the four northern clubs' brands and resources to run the academies, they obviously need to motivate those four clubs, so priority access at the draft table I think is a necessary evil. Sure, increasing the percentage of local talent on the lists is beneficial but I don't know that it was the overarching motivation for the academies. I do think that the northern clubs face challenges in retaining young players against the homesick factor that are greater than those faced by other clubs, but it is something that all clubs do have to work hard on. The Swans suffered badly in the 1990s, with the loss of players like Grant, Rocca, Gaspar (not to homesickness but just because he wanted to play in football heartland), O'Farrell. But since then, their rate of loss of players back to their home state is no higher than pretty much every club (and lower than clubs like Adelaide). It helps when a club is well-run and has earned a high level of respectability for both its on-field and off-field activities. The Lions' recent problems in retaining younger interstate players are in part due to the "homesick" factor but almost certainly have more to do with being down in the doldrums for so long on-field, and having worse than average facilities.

[barry]

I don't actually mind the current academy draft bidding system. It help ensure fair value is paid in picks for players. It should also illiminate the riverina as a problem because if it does produce a lot pf quality other club can bid for them

[Industrial Fan]

Agreed. The 25% discount is neither here nor there either given the picks all have nominal points values.

[barry]

I don't suppose any of us knows definitively how the AFL prioritises the motivations for the academies, but my take on it was that the first and foremost objective was to create a development pathway for AFL in NSW and Queensland, not just to increase the number of elite players but to provide a broad opportunity for athletically talented juniors to get access to better coaching. Across the four academies, there are probably close to a thousand youngsters involved in the programmes at any one time.

The swans want a pathway to the swans. Swans are acting in self interest, which is exactly as they should.

Having decided that use of the four northern clubs' brands and resources to run the academies, they obviously need to motivate those four clubs, so priority access at the draft table I think is a necessary evil. Sure, increasing the percentage of local talent on the lists is beneficial but I don't know that it was the overarching motivation for the academies. I do think that the northern clubs face challenges in retaining young players against the homesick factor that are greater than those faced by other clubs, but it is something that all clubs do have to work hard on. The Swans suffered badly in the 1990s, with the loss of players like Grant, Rocca, Gaspar (not to homesickness but just because he wanted to play in football heartland), O'Farrell. But since then, their rate of loss of players back to their home state is no higher than pretty much every club (and lower than clubs like Adelaide). It helps when a club is well-run and has earned a high level of respectability for both its on-field and off-field activities. The Lions' recent problems in retaining younger interstate players are in part due to the "homesick" factor but almost certainly have more to do with being down in the doldrums for so long on-field, and having worse than average facilities.

The problem with these examples, is that its been shown to be impossible to get out "doldrums" if you are a northern clubs unless you have the extra cap room to make some massive plays and transform yourself into a destination club.

We'll never get past this until QLD and Brisbane can produce enough quality players to support the 4 teams.

By that argument, the Lions lost qld players to suns, and lost the ability to keep the rest. Royally screwed, and to be honest I dont think they should wear most of the blame.

[AnnieH]

Personally I think the AFL made an error in the placement of the second Sydney team and believe they would have been better served to have located it on the Central Coast, which has a far greater Anglo population than the outer west, which is very ethnic and so are naturally drawn to Soccer and have their very own Aleague team.
There is not so much competition with other sports up here and a bonus would have been that a great many locals were pretty peed off at the time GWS was in its infancy, over the non inclusion of the Central Coast Bears in the NRL and would have at least given AFL a try.
Well thats my two cents worth anyway....

Really?
That's a bit racist don't you think?
I know PLENTY of "anglos" who live in the western suburbs... they just don't like AFL.

[Industrial Fan]

Really?
That's a bit racist don't you think?
I know PLENTY of "anglos" who live in the western suburbs... they just don't like AFL.

Gee that term is thrown around alot without any regard for what it means.

Stating that people from ethnic backgrounds are more likely to follow soccer doesnt either suggest that one opinion is better than another or discriminate against them in any way.

It is a cultural generalisation without any judgement attached, so no its not racist.

[AnnieH]

If I were an "anglo", I'd be offended.
The fact is that the people of the west just aren't interested in the AFL and that's why GW$ will always struggle for members.
It has absolutely nothing to do with ethnicity.
The AFL will be propping them up financially for many, many years to come.

[Industrial Fan]

You're entitled to be offended but not sure why and at what.

Tbh I don't think there was much demand for afl/Vfl when the swans shifted and it's only due to exposure to the game locally that I follow it. Pretty sure the afl understands it will take time to build a following but not sure that we can say comfortably that they'll always struggle for members or a lack of interest.

At the moment it's more than likely either a cannibalisation of the swans membership, people with two membership or afl expats who aren't drawn to the swans. Over time they'll have their own fans in the same way that we do imo.