World Footy News

There is an interesting argument swaying back and forth within the AFL concerning the fairness or otherwise of the various talent academies. The following link http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-26...tem-unfair describes the pros and cons of having them and whether their very existence undermines the integrity of the AFL national draft.

Of interest to those who look at the game on a more global scale is the idea of whether or not clubs will still be able to rookie international players at will and restriction free compared to indigenous talent in Australia. Will there come a day when AFL clubs will actually need to bid for players, or more dramatically use a high draft selection to obtain international players?

(Left: Isaac Heeney, Picture: Sydney Swans)

There will be some who see this as folly and a flawed way of looking at the issue. Many believe that the amount of, and impact of, international players will never reach that point, therefore it is a moot argument.

Some with a foot in the other camp will argue that it will only take a couple more Pearce Hanleys or Mike Pykes to have all clubs claiming an unfair advantage over others. This has already happened in the case of Isaac Heeney, the Sydney Swans draftee that in a footballing world of equity should have been a draft pick inside the top five, yet was grabbed by the Swans with the comparatively discounted pick 18. The fear is that Sydney have found a future superstar cheaply and circumvented the system on the back of obtaining both Kurt Tippett and Lance Franklin.

The platform is constantly being built to bring in more and more quality international players, and needs to be if this is to become a permanent and meaningful talent pathway. But unless the conversations take place now there will be impacts, negative and positive, to the system of recruiting internationals as it is now.

The argument is currently built around the Queensland and New South Wales based teams. Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns both have talent academies from which they are drawing talent. It seems fair that if those clubs nurture talent and provide the pathway for young players to follow then those clubs should reap the benefits. But not all clubs have academies of a similar nature, hence the debate.

Different clubs have different versions. Port Adelaide has their academy team which competes in the SANFL reserves. Young talent is developed and these players have a shot at the big league if they do well. Essendon has the renowned James Hird Academy which sees sons of past players join at a young age and be guided through their junior careers. The most recent graduate is Joe Daniher, son of former star full back, Anthony Daniher, and part of a great club football lineage. There are others to follow.




Left: Essendon's Joe Daniher (Picture: Zimbio)
















Three players from my own club have been accepted into the Gold Coast Suns Talent Academy and are sure to have their chance at a huge career which would not have been possible had they remained in Cairns.

Most clubs, however, have links to local clubs or leagues where they foster and monitor talent in the hope of one day securing a gem.

As more and more elite talent graduates from academies to AFL lists, the calls for equity will continue to grow from clubs not reaping similar rewards. This is the basis of the argument now where other clubs are fearful that the various cost of living allowances, draft concessions of the past and now elite talent academies will see Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and GWS gain yet another headstart over the rest.

So, what might happen in the near future if a particular club hits the jackpot internationally? Could it happen? No, say some. Yes, Brisbane Lions have a burgeoning superstar in Pearce Hanley and have just rookied his younger brother. If the younger Cian Hanley turns out as good as his older brother, and Pearce wins a club Best & Fairest (he came 4th last year), does that raise a case that Brisbane is getting an unfair advantage from the recruitment of international talent?




Left: Pearce Hanley, Brisbane Lions (Picture: Zimbio)















Conor McKenna at Essendon has huge wraps. It is a long way off, and a big ask, but if he cracks the big time and becomes a star has Essendon rorted a talent loophole? The question will be asked, especially if next year they landed another – Darragh Joyce is still on the market - though Hawthorn and Sydney are closer to getting his name. If Sydney gets him and he becomes a star, will that raise Merry Hell on top of Tippett, Franklin and Heeney?

It is an interesting concept that will play out over coming years. This article is not really leaning one way or the other. It is more of a conversation starter. But as international talent continues to be sought it is just a little bit possible that one day a mini draft for internationals might just replace the impotent Pre-Season Draft and clubs select their internationals from a draft order.

For those who still doubt that such things could happen, I suggest sitting down with a good book by H. G Wells or Jules Verne. Not everything they predicted has happened, but some things have.