World Footy News

As some of the players from the historic 2007 AIS-AFL junior tour of South Africa have now broken through into senior AFL ranks, it might be time to reflect on their future prospects and those of their opponents, the South Africans.

West Australian Cale Morton, drafted to the Melbourne Demons (at pick #4 overall) made his round 1 AFL debut last week. He was one of the goal kickers in the second match against South Africa. In the same match, Melbourne Demons rookie Isaac Weetra debuted. Weetra, a South Australian, was a member of the Flying Boomerangs junior indigenous side which toured South Africa and took on the Buffaloes back in 2006.

Trent Cotchin (Richmond Tigers pick #2), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows pick #10), Patrick Veszpremi (Sydney Swans pick #11), Brad Ebert (West Coast Eagles pick #13), Jack Grimes (Melbourne Demons pick #14), Tony Notte (West Coast Eagles pick #20), Addam Maric (Melbourne Demons pick #21), Maron Motlop (Port Adelaide Power pick #28), Brendan Whitecross (Hawthorn Hawks pick #29) and Sam Reid (Western Bulldogs pick #35) all played against South Africa and all found their way to AFL clubs last year. Some of these players have impressed in the NAB Cup. Others are already playing and impressing in competitions like the VFL and SANFL. Some of them may even get a run in the senior AFL side as early as next week.

But a glaring question remains unasked and unanswered. After last year's rookie draft, where are the Steven Matshanes and other young South Africans named amongst the best on ground ? With all of this investment in time, money and energy, last year's historic match should have provided an excellent pathway giving South Africa's best young talent exposure to the recruiters. But there is not one.

Granted that the AFL does the tour as it needs it to receive funding from the Australian Institute of Sport. And while South Africa was thrashed by 23 goals to 1 and topped up with senior Buffaloes, one could be forgiven for wondering. If the junior South Afrian players like Steven Matshane matched it with the cream of Australian talent, why isn't at least one on a rookie list or at the very least playing state level semi-pro footy in Australia ?

Among the AFL's international rookies in 2007 were a total of 4 Irish Gaelic football converts taking a punt on professional careers in the AFL - Brendan Murphy (Sydney Swans pick #23), Kevin Dyas (Collingwood Magpies pick #29), Pierce Hanley (Brisbane Lions pick #38) and Michael Shields (Carlton Blues pick #48). With an Irish flood set to sweep the AFL there are even rumours that Irish players have been unnofficially signed by AFL clubs on exclusive contracts. But no South Africans. The reputation of Irish AFL players, the height of the drafted players and the experience with a similar game in top competition might make the Irish seem less risky, but the maths against South Africa don't add up.

Adding fuel to the argument that international footy is ready for AFL recruiting is a combined large number of players from Papua New Guinean (over 20), New Zealand (around 5), USA (2) and Canada (1) now playing state level footy in Australia. While affiliated leagues and clubs might help foot the travel bill, you still wonder why South Africans aren't amongst the mix.

Another thing in South Africa's favour is the recent trend of AFL clubs taking risks recruiting small quick and athletic roving players with good vertical leaps. Standout 2008 debutant Cyril Rioli from the Northern Territory is just one example. He is typical of the type of player South Africa is already capable of producing.

Recent changes to the international rookie rules could see this change and some of these talented players start to reach Australia as early as next year. There is no doubt that with another AIS tour and a player pool somewhere between the size of the ACT and NT, that the cream of South African talent are ripe to begin making at least some impact in Australia.

Even if only a handful of juniors make the senior South African International Cup side. With increasing competitiveness and standard of the event, it will be a huge chance for some of these young players to stand up and be noticed. It may provide the draft smokies that AFL clubs are looking for to get that competitive edge or at the very least, some opportunities for a semi-professional pathway through state league clubs in Australia.

One thing is for certain, this November's AFL draft will be one to watch for both South Africa and fans of international footy.