World Footy News

The Western Bulldogs' Scott Clayton has confirmed his club is actively exploring new talent in Fiji, prompted by the enormous potential seen in the likely number one draft pick, Fijian Australian Nicholas Naitanui, as discussed in Naitanui - a big Fijian draft prospect to watch.

It seems one of the keys to opening the AFL club wallets has been the recent rule change to allow clubs to stockpile international talent for just AUD$1000, as explained in International recruitment about to explode? Recruiters previously would have been hesitant to commit to any area if they couldn't exclusively lock in the best talent, or if the costs were too high. It seems the changes now have several clubs looking around Oceania and trying to keep a low profile so that they can sign up the best prospects first.

Other than a few off the record comments from a couple of our sources, it's difficult to know exactly how many AFL clubs are on the hunt, but hopefully we'll start to see some signings within the next six to twelve months.

In the meantime, see the Daily Telegraph story Bulldogs hope for Fiji paradise where Mark Stevens reports on Clayton's efforts to spot Fijian talent, funded by club supporter and businessman Shaun Bassett. The article states that "Most of Clayton's scouting has been centred on secondary school rugby sevens" and that "He is intent on finding tall, mobile players in the mould of 196cm Naitanui".