World Footy News

The Western Bulldogs are broadening their recruitment base, announcing plans to take a group to Fiji to trial as many as 5000 young Fijian athletes at the end of this month.

Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton last night confirmed that at least one player, but possibly as many as four, will be signed under AFL international rookie rules.

3000 copies of the poster at left have appeared at Coca-Cola outlets around Fiji, with open trials to take place in Labasa and the Fijian capital Suva.

5000 islander hopefuls in recruiters sights
Mark Stevens | October 03, 2008 12:00am for the Herald Sun

THE Western Bulldogs are poised to sign up to four Fijians in an historic push into the South Pacific. As many 5000 hopefuls are expected to attend Bulldogs trials in Labasa and Suva later this month.

Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton last night confirmed at least one player will be signed.

But the Dogs are willing to commit to as many as four under AFL international rookie rules.

After several months of planning, the Bulldogs hope the trials will uncover the next Nicholas Naitanui.

And they are leaving nothing to chance, distributing 3000 posters throughout Coca-Cola outlets in Fiji.

The posters urge anybody tall, fast and agile with a desire to play elite-level sport to attend.

Ruckman Will Minson, who will travel to Fiji for the trials, appears on the posters with Josh Hill.

The Labasa trial will be held on October 17, with the Dogs moving to Suva the next day.

Naitanui, a top-three draft prospect of Fijian origin, sparked Clayton's interest in what was uncharted recruiting territory.

Clayton, seduced by the athletic talents of Naitanui at first sight, has travelled to Fiji several times this year perusing talent.

The Dogs' "Project Fiji" has been bankrolled by influential supporter and businessman Shaun Bassett.

Clayton said the Fiji push was not a gimmick.

"Everyone is looking at internationals. There are eight clubs in Ireland," Clayton said.

"We aren't involved there, but we are on the ground now in Fiji."

The Dogs will take advantage of a rule introduced in March that allows clubs to secure internationals for an up-front $1000 payment.

It is likely the players signed will remain in Fiji next year, where they will be closely monitored.

There is a strong chance any signed player who shows significant progress will then be relocated to Melbourne and added to the Dogs' list as an international rookie.

Clubs can sign up to eight internationals a season for as little as $1000, in a move designed to promote international expansion.

Previously, they could sign six players and had to pay them $10,000 each if they remained in their home country.

The Herald Sun revealed the Dogs' Fiji experiment in April, but it has gathered significant momentum since, with trials and now a commitment to sign at least one player.

Fiji is renowned for producing rugby greats; the Dogs are eyeing taller mobile athletes.

The promotional material states: "Our primary focus will be on athletes with a strong vertical leap and exceptional ball handling skills who are tall, fast and agile . . . if you have these attributes, come along and try out, you might just be the next AFL superstar".

Clayton has already built a strong network throughout Fiji, including members of Naitanui's extended family.

He is intent of plucking players from the South Pacific before leaving to take up a new role with Gold Coast after the national draft.

Backer Bassett, who runs a cleaning business, said early indications from Fiji were that 5000 could try out.

He said the $1000 sign-on fee was not the main carrot, with Fijian athletes eyeing a five to 10-year career earning significantly more.

The story has also made news in the Fijian media, with 5000 Fijians to undergo AFL trials appearing on the Fiji Live website.