Tyrell mayfield

[Mug Punter]

Agreed.

Up until recently though the likes of Baulko have played through the harbour comps. Yes they still aren't producing AFL players.

There are a couple of St Clair boys that were in the academy and one that was then played seniors for East Coast and a NEAFL game (St Clair played him against us and we manage to shut him down!). One of the St Clair boys I noticed in their NEAFL team recently as a toppy.

The problem with GWS is from 16 upwards most of the Sydney boys get wiped by the Riverina kids when places are limited.

Needs to be scaled back if they are going to develop it properly.

I don't blame GWS for taking the easy option but I think they've misread the play on this issue and it really comes down to having a Chairman in Shepherd who is a businessman and political mover and shaker rather than a proper football person.

GWS should have known that nothing south of Wagga Wagga would ever have been acceptable once they became successful. And if Shepherd and co really understood the Academy System and what it is for, and I believe they don't because all they are is businessmen, then they should have known why.

There's absolutely no reason kids in those border towns need an academy because they have one already, it's called the Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Team and it's been providing a very successful AFL pathway for years now.

They should have demanded funding for state of the art multiple site operations in Western Sydney (I'm talking million dollar facilities) and one for Canberra. They should have demanded they be funded with the best coaches and the best support staff. Had they done that I have no doubt you'd have 3-5 Western Sydney boys in that side. Because growing up in Sydney playing junior and senior footy there were some cracking junior footballers that became senior footballers that came from Campbelltown and Baulko and Parramatta.

Problem now is they have left five years go with a half-hearted effort and the Swans have thrown everything at their area. But they have to bite the bullet and do it because if they want to truly represent Western Sydney they need boys from that area playing for them

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Perhaps I should have been clearer. I meant the mind was impenetrable. Reasoning with Barry is like wrestling a rhinoceros.

Hehe , I agree I try and not read his posts now he is on block but you quoted him so I had no choice

[barry]

Perhaps I should have been clearer. I meant the mind was impenetrable. Reasoning with Barry is like wrestling a rhinoceros.

Dont lower yourself to pauls level with comments like that.

GWS arent exactly flush with cash compared to the swans, so it stands to reason they may look to maximize every $ spent. Its a long bow to draw that we need to punish them by removing the riverina from their academy. A gross over reaction.

They have no father-son opportunities and they have great trouble retaining non NSW boys. The academy system gets locals on your list and negates the go home problem.

Lets npt forget in all the hyperbole they have yet to actually play a final.

That is my opinion, you are welcome to disagree but i do not like the nasty personal attacks directed my way.

[graemed]

It's some time since I've been involved in club footy since I have Saturday obligations with my school and my kids have no connection (waiting on grandkids). But I've worked with Neil Brunton for many years trying to get footy into independent schools and some of you may remember Neil as a swans stalwart during the dark days.
Neil is from the Parramatta club and still does a lot of work for them in development but it is interesting that the swans are the team that is helping the NSWAFL to promote the code in this area. I realise most of the schools are part of the swans zone but the students come from everywhere.