2022 Draft Thread | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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2022 Draft Thread

tigerdell

Hope springs infernal
Mar 29, 2014
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How many players are Hawks likely to draft?
They've picks 6, 24, 41, 48, 50, 52, 65

Any chance we could get pick 50 from them?
Say a future 4th

That way we,d have 50 and 53.
Trade for Brisbane,s 38 and 73

(Though Hawks could do the same thing)
 
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Jonesracing82

Tiger Champion
Sep 30, 2011
4,505
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I agree and i think its largely due to Covid.

This crop played significantly less footy,

And clubs have had significantly less resources to assess them.

There will be more busts than usual, and the flow on, which we are already seeing, is more 19/20 yos taken SSP and mid season
This is why i like our strategy which seems to be to keep these spots open. Gives plenty of options.
 
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Scoop

Tiger Legend
Dec 8, 2004
24,931
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Been watching a bit more Blake Drury and I'm a huge fan. Chance he is there when we pick. Has everything I like. Bit of Zach Bailey about him.

Also watched some more Binns, he'd be another great get. Just runs and runs, both ways. Reckon he fits our running requirements.

And I definitely want to rookie Darcy Edmonds, kicks it off both feet so well. Will need some work but has all the tools.

 
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Dont Argue

Tiger Legend
Jun 26, 2018
5,777
12,388
If we’re not going tall because we don’t rate anyone, it’s Billy Dowling for mine
 

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Redford

Tiger Legend
Dec 18, 2002
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Tel Aviv
Been watching a bit more Blake Drury and I'm a huge fan. Chance he is there when we pick. Has everything I like. Bit of Zach Bailey about him.

Also watched some more Binns, he'd be another great get. Just runs and runs, both ways. Reckon he fits our running requirements.

And I definitely want to rookie Darcy Edmonds, kicks it off both feet so well. Will need some work but has all the tools.

Edmends needs to find a bit more of it though. Has been told to work on his contested possession rate.
 

Scoop

Tiger Legend
Dec 8, 2004
24,931
13,973
Edmends needs to find a bit more of it though. Has been told to work on his contested possession rate.
And that's fair, he does. But the amount of damage he could do via his kicking is huge. Not only is he a good kick, he makes good choices.

Screams AFL half-back flanker.
 

tigerdell

Hope springs infernal
Mar 29, 2014
4,550
5,157
Been watching a bit more Blake Drury and I'm a huge fan. Chance he is there when we pick. Has everything I like. Bit of Zach Bailey about him.

Also watched some more Binns, he'd be another great get. Just runs and runs, both ways. Reckon he fits our running requirements.

And I definitely want to rookie Darcy Edmonds, kicks it off both feet so well. Will need some work but has all the tools.

Would you be happy with Edmonds as a national draft pick?
In the end if we think he can play then it don't matter
 

tigersnake

Tear 'em apart
Sep 10, 2003
23,484
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Then there are quite a few, a lot actually, who are hyped on the back of a few good WAFL/ SANFL colts or u18s games, might only be half a dozen in some cases. In Victoria, senior football isn't required at all for your CV, NAB league and champs is all that matters, and attendance at an elite private school.

There is no Timmy Watson about this years draft. The man who played his 50th senior game for Essendon on his 18th Birthday. (Thats one of my favourite footy facts). I understand Timmy was a freak and times have changed...but still. Dusty used to dominate for Vic Country, the Pioneers AND Castlemaine seniors. And I don't think he went to Caulfield Grammar.
excuse the self-quote, but as I was writing this post the other day I got to thinking about the modern trend towards elite u18 not playing, and not being required or expected to play senior football. When did this happen? Was this a rapid thing or has it happened gradually? To put another spin on it, can you imagine Tony Lockett not playing senior football for North Ballarat (at 15), much less St Kilda (at 17)? Quite frankly, it is a ridiculous thought.

The previous post just looked at a few highly rated players, but I decided to actually check and look at all u18 players and how many played senior state-league footy.

I had a few criteria:
1) must have played in the U18 champs, and ergo had a good junior career.
2) no overage players, must be 18. Thats the point.
3) must play more than 3 games at senior SANFL, WAFL, or VFL levels, this was originally to test if they held their spot. I didn't drill down into stats because the young fellas usually have to contend with low TOG, it was enough to keep getting a game. I expected this criteria to sift out a lot of players, but it didn't, it sifted out 6 players, more on that later. This criteria also eliminated the AFL academy v Collingwood VFL game, which wasn't for points and in reality another junior rep side.

So players who met the above criteria:

Marlin Corbett, Allies in the champs, Gold Coast Suns VFL, 10 games, 3 finals
Elijah Hewitt, WA in the champs, Swan Districts WAFL, 9 games
Jed Hagan, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 8 games, 3 finals
Steely Green, WA, South Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 1 final
Jack Cleaver, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 3 finals

A mere 5 players

The mere 6 players who were sifted out by the 3 game min criteria, Will Ashcroft*, Lloyd Johnston**, Darcy Jones, Jed Busslinger, Shadeau Brain, Max Michalanney, Paul Pascu.

I started doing this just thinking 'doesn't seem like many played senior footy, I wonder how many actually did?'

But then it brought up all sorts of questions.

Victoria
Vic is the centre of footy and produces the most players, and has a highly developed and refined elite junior system. We all know this, but I'd never really thought about the implications of this. In the olden days, juniors played teal cup, and seniors in lower leagues. Up until more recently players played Nab League, u18 champs, school footy, and a few seniors for their club. Nowadays it just doesn't happen. Has this been by design? or has it just evolved? Does it effect development? On the last question, I'd say with the very good players no, they get drafted regardless, but players who may be less glamourous? Maybe. Has it eliminated the smokie? It has generally had an effect, but I'd say on balance yes and no. Yes because most players who may have been smokies in the past would now be in the system, inside the elite junior tent. No because if you are not identified early and outside the tent, it might be harder to get noticed.

I also think the private school factor is big, they seem to be more and more integral to the whole Vic model.

So in Victoria elite juniors, for better or worse, don't play senior footy, full stop.

(A thought on this, if VFL doesn't matter in Vic, why did the single VFL game for Box Hill played by Sonzerelli generate so much press? It was as if it was this crazy novelty, but was emphasised as proving his ability)

(I can't work Pascu out, apparently played 2 games for Essendon VFL, I have no idea why)

SA
I was surprised by the low numbers in WA and SA, especially SA, the juniors are still in the old VFL club-style u19s colts/ u18 / reserves/seniors. Unlike Victoria, there is no structural reason why juniors can't play seniors. a few play seniors, so why not more? Is it policy, not expected to play? Or is it just that juniors can't get a game? If it is policy, why do a few players play a few games? If just not many are good enough to get a game, does that reflect on the quality of juniors? 1 player played senior football in SA, and none met the criteria.

WA
As per SA, but more players playing seniors. 4 of the 5 players who met the criteria, and 6 of the 12 players total who played any seniors.

Allies
A few overage Suns academy players and Lions academy players were rolled through the VFL, but only 1 met the criteria.

A couple of outliers: **Lloyd Johnston. Only played 2 VFL games for Suns VFL but this was only because he lives in the NT and the didn't have access to him for long, acquitted himself well.
* Will Ashcroft, another outlier, a hybrid case, VM but also linked to Lions and played 3 VFL games for them, and absolutely killed it. A Rolls Royce at the level.

Anyway, I thought it might be interesting, I was interested, and I'd be interested in doing some real number crunching, to test this variable as a predictor of success statistically. I won't be doing it but I'd love to see it.

I think the Tigers do value senior experience at the back end of the draft. We plucked Cumberland and Martyn from the Brisbane academy on the back of some good NEAFL finals performances.
 
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fastin bulbous

Tiger Champion
Mar 30, 2010
4,121
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Darwin
excuse the self-quote, but as I was writing this post the other day I got to thinking about the modern trend towards elite u18 not playing, and not being required or expected to play senior football. When did this happen? Was this a rapid thing or has it happened gradually?

The previous post just looked at a few highly rated players, but I decided to actually check and look at all u18 players and how many played senior state-league footy.

I had a few criteria:
1) must have played in the U18 champs, and ergo had a good junior career.
2) no overage players, must be 18. Thats the point.
3) must play more than 3 games at senior SANFL, WAFL, or VFL levels, this was originally to test if they held their spot. I didn't drill down into stats because the young fellas usually have to contend with low TOG, it was enough to keep getting a game. I expected this criteria to sift out a lot of players, but it didn't, it sifted out 6 players, more on that later. This criteria also eliminated the AFL academy v Collingwood VFL game, which wasn't for points and in reality another junior rep side.

So players who met the above criteria:

Marlin Corbett, Allies in the champs, Gold Coast Suns VFL, 10 games, 3 finals
Elijah Hewitt, WA in the champs, Swan Districts WAFL, 9 games
Jed Hagan, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 8 games, 3 finals
Steely Green, WA, South Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 1 final
Jack Cleaver, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 3 finals

A mere 5 players

The mere 6 players who were sifted out by the 3 game min criteria, Will Ashcroft*, Lloyd Johnston**, Darcy Jones, Jed Busslinger, Shadeau Brain, Max Michalanney, Paul Pascu.

I started doing this just thinking 'doesn't seem like many played senior footy, I wonder how many actually did?'

But then it brought up all sorts of questions.

Victoria
Vic is the centre of footy and produces the most players, and has a highly developed and refined elite junior system. We all know this, but I'd never really thought about the implications of this. In the olden days, juniors played teal cup, and seniors in lower leagues. Nowadays it just doesn't happen. Has this been by design? or has it just evolved? Does it effect development? On the last question, I'd say with the very good players no, they get drafted regardless, but players who may be less glamourous? Maybe. Has it eliminated the smokie? It has generally had an effect, but I'd say on balance yes and no. Yes because most players who may have been smokies in the past would now be in the system, inside the elite junior tent. No because if you are not identified early and outside the tent, it might be harder to get noticed.

I also think the private school factor is big, they seem to be more and more integral to the whole Vic model.

So in Victoria elite juniors, for better or worse, don't play senior footy, full stop.

(A thought on this, if VFL doesn't matter in Vic, why did the game played by Sonzerelli generate so much press?)

(I can't work Pascu out, apparently played 2 games for Essendon VFL, I have no idea why)

SA
I was surprised by the low numbers in WA and SA, especially SA, the juniors are still in the old VFL-style u19s colts/ u18 system, a few play seniors, so why not more? Is it policy, not expected to play? Or is it just that juniors can't get a game? If it is policy, why do a few players play a few games? If just not many are good enough to get a game, does that reflect on the quality of juniors?

WA
As per SA, but more players playing seniors. 4 of the 5 players who met the criteria, and 6 of the 12 players total who played any seniors.

Allies
A few overage Suns academy players and Lions academy players were rolled through the VFL, but only 1 met the criteria.

A couple of outliers: **Lloyd Johnston. Only played 2 VFL games for Suns VFL but this was only because he lives in the NT and the didn't have access to him for long, acquitted himself well.
* Will Ashcroft, another outlier, a hybrid case, VM but also linked to Lions and played 3 VFL games for them, and absolutely killed it. A Rolls Royce at the level.

Anyway, I thought it might be interesting, I was interested, and I'd be interested in doing some real number crunching, to test this variable as a predictor of success statistically. I won't be doing it but I'd love to see it.

I think the Tigers do value senior experience at the back end of the draft. We plucked Cumberland and Martyn from the Brisbane academy on the back of some good NEAFL finals performances.
Killing it snake
 
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TigerMasochist

Walks softly carries a big stick.
Jul 13, 2003
25,571
11,449
excuse the self-quote, but as I was writing this post the other day I got to thinking about the modern trend towards elite u18 not playing, and not being required or expected to play senior football. When did this happen? Was this a rapid thing or has it happened gradually?

The previous post just looked at a few highly rated players, but I decided to actually check and look at all u18 players and how many played senior state-league footy.

I had a few criteria:
1) must have played in the U18 champs, and ergo had a good junior career.
2) no overage players, must be 18. Thats the point.
3) must play more than 3 games at senior SANFL, WAFL, or VFL levels, this was originally to test if they held their spot. I didn't drill down into stats because the young fellas usually have to contend with low TOG, it was enough to keep getting a game. I expected this criteria to sift out a lot of players, but it didn't, it sifted out 6 players, more on that later. This criteria also eliminated the AFL academy v Collingwood VFL game, which wasn't for points and in reality another junior rep side.

So players who met the above criteria:

Marlin Corbett, Allies in the champs, Gold Coast Suns VFL, 10 games, 3 finals
Elijah Hewitt, WA in the champs, Swan Districts WAFL, 9 games
Jed Hagan, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 8 games, 3 finals
Steely Green, WA, South Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 1 final
Jack Cleaver, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 3 finals

A mere 5 players

The mere 6 players who were sifted out by the 3 game min criteria, Will Ashcroft*, Lloyd Johnston**, Darcy Jones, Jed Busslinger, Shadeau Brain, Max Michalanney, Paul Pascu.

I started doing this just thinking 'doesn't seem like many played senior footy, I wonder how many actually did?'

But then it brought up all sorts of questions.

Victoria
Vic is the centre of footy and produces the most players, and has a highly developed and refined elite junior system. We all know this, but I'd never really thought about the implications of this. In the olden days, juniors played teal cup, and seniors in lower leagues. Nowadays it just doesn't happen. Has this been by design? or has it just evolved? Does it effect development? On the last question, I'd say with the very good players no, they get drafted regardless, but players who may be less glamourous? Maybe. Has it eliminated the smokie? It has generally had an effect, but I'd say on balance yes and no. Yes because most players who may have been smokies in the past would now be in the system, inside the elite junior tent. No because if you are not identified early and outside the tent, it might be harder to get noticed.

I also think the private school factor is big, they seem to be more and more integral to the whole Vic model.

So in Victoria elite juniors, for better or worse, don't play senior footy, full stop.

(A thought on this, if VFL doesn't matter in Vic, why did the game played by Sonzerelli generate so much press?)

(I can't work Pascu out, apparently played 2 games for Essendon VFL, I have no idea why)

SA
I was surprised by the low numbers in WA and SA, especially SA, the juniors are still in the old VFL-style u19s colts/ u18 system, a few play seniors, so why not more? Is it policy, not expected to play? Or is it just that juniors can't get a game? If it is policy, why do a few players play a few games? If just not many are good enough to get a game, does that reflect on the quality of juniors?

WA
As per SA, but more players playing seniors. 4 of the 5 players who met the criteria, and 6 of the 12 players total who played any seniors.

Allies
A few overage Suns academy players and Lions academy players were rolled through the VFL, but only 1 met the criteria.

A couple of outliers: **Lloyd Johnston. Only played 2 VFL games for Suns VFL but this was only because he lives in the NT and the didn't have access to him for long, acquitted himself well.
* Will Ashcroft, another outlier, a hybrid case, VM but also linked to Lions and played 3 VFL games for them, and absolutely killed it. A Rolls Royce at the level.

Anyway, I thought it might be interesting, I was interested, and I'd be interested in doing some real number crunching, to test this variable as a predictor of success statistically. I won't be doing it but I'd love to see it.

I think the Tigers do value senior experience at the back end of the draft. We plucked Cumberland and Martyn from the Brisbane academy on the back of some good NEAFL finals performances.
Nice bit of thinking n asking snakey one. Not sure that the youngsters absolutely need to be playing senior footy at state league level, but you'd think they'd at least be grabbing a few games at senior level for their local clubs where they grew up. Probably purely a factor of the corporate elite junior level pathways ( *smile* that was a mouthful ) that the kids are fed through these days. If they're any good early days they simply get fed through the approved junior systems with a smidge of school footy thrown in but bugger all real footy against nasty ugly older players that never quite made it.

From an old geezers perspective, there's not much wrong with a talented kid getting thrown in against the grown ups and showing he's got the agates to stand up and show his capabilities against a bit of heat.
 
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Smoking Aces

Batten Down The Hatches
Sep 21, 2007
20,625
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excuse the self-quote, but as I was writing this post the other day I got to thinking about the modern trend towards elite u18 not playing, and not being required or expected to play senior football. When did this happen? Was this a rapid thing or has it happened gradually? To put another spin on it, can you imagine Tony Lockett not playing senior football for North Ballarat (at 15), much less St Kilda (at 17)? Quite frankly, it is a ridiculous thought.

The previous post just looked at a few highly rated players, but I decided to actually check and look at all u18 players and how many played senior state-league footy.

I had a few criteria:
1) must have played in the U18 champs, and ergo had a good junior career.
2) no overage players, must be 18. Thats the point.
3) must play more than 3 games at senior SANFL, WAFL, or VFL levels, this was originally to test if they held their spot. I didn't drill down into stats because the young fellas usually have to contend with low TOG, it was enough to keep getting a game. I expected this criteria to sift out a lot of players, but it didn't, it sifted out 6 players, more on that later. This criteria also eliminated the AFL academy v Collingwood VFL game, which wasn't for points and in reality another junior rep side.

So players who met the above criteria:

Marlin Corbett, Allies in the champs, Gold Coast Suns VFL, 10 games, 3 finals
Elijah Hewitt, WA in the champs, Swan Districts WAFL, 9 games
Jed Hagan, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 8 games, 3 finals
Steely Green, WA, South Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 1 final
Jack Cleaver, WA, East Fremantle WAFL, 7 games, 3 finals

A mere 5 players

The mere 6 players who were sifted out by the 3 game min criteria, Will Ashcroft*, Lloyd Johnston**, Darcy Jones, Jed Busslinger, Shadeau Brain, Max Michalanney, Paul Pascu.

I started doing this just thinking 'doesn't seem like many played senior footy, I wonder how many actually did?'

But then it brought up all sorts of questions.

Victoria
Vic is the centre of footy and produces the most players, and has a highly developed and refined elite junior system. We all know this, but I'd never really thought about the implications of this. In the olden days, juniors played teal cup, and seniors in lower leagues. Nowadays it just doesn't happen. Has this been by design? or has it just evolved? Does it effect development? On the last question, I'd say with the very good players no, they get drafted regardless, but players who may be less glamourous? Maybe. Has it eliminated the smokie? It has generally had an effect, but I'd say on balance yes and no. Yes because most players who may have been smokies in the past would now be in the system, inside the elite junior tent. No because if you are not identified early and outside the tent, it might be harder to get noticed.

I also think the private school factor is big, they seem to be more and more integral to the whole Vic model.

So in Victoria elite juniors, for better or worse, don't play senior footy, full stop.

(A thought on this, if VFL doesn't matter in Vic, why did the single VFL game for Box Hill played by Sonzerelli generate so much press? It was as if it was this crazy novelty, but was emphasised as proving his ability)

(I can't work Pascu out, apparently played 2 games for Essendon VFL, I have no idea why)

SA
I was surprised by the low numbers in WA and SA, especially SA, the juniors are still in the old VFL-style u19s colts/ u18 system, unlike Victoria, there is no structural reason why juniors can't play seniors. a few play seniors, so why not more? Is it policy, not expected to play? Or is it just that juniors can't get a game? If it is policy, why do a few players play a few games? If just not many are good enough to get a game, does that reflect on the quality of juniors? 1 player played senior football in SA, and none met the criteria.

WA
As per SA, but more players playing seniors. 4 of the 5 players who met the criteria, and 6 of the 12 players total who played any seniors.

Allies
A few overage Suns academy players and Lions academy players were rolled through the VFL, but only 1 met the criteria.

A couple of outliers: **Lloyd Johnston. Only played 2 VFL games for Suns VFL but this was only because he lives in the NT and the didn't have access to him for long, acquitted himself well.
* Will Ashcroft, another outlier, a hybrid case, VM but also linked to Lions and played 3 VFL games for them, and absolutely killed it. A Rolls Royce at the level.

Anyway, I thought it might be interesting, I was interested, and I'd be interested in doing some real number crunching, to test this variable as a predictor of success statistically. I won't be doing it but I'd love to see it.

I think the Tigers do value senior experience at the back end of the draft. We plucked Cumberland and Martyn from the Brisbane academy on the back of some good NEAFL finals performances.
Great post Snake.

The elite Vic kids especially those at Private Schools barely play club footy let alone senior footy. Their schools dictate when and where they play. Their first priority for them is playing for their school plus their TAC teams. It’s a farce.

At 17 years of age you should be exposed to senior footy. If you play for a club in the first division say the EFL, you should be aiming to play senior footy. But it just doesn’t happen. The exposure is just not there. Maybe they think they are not physically ready? But is that the right preparation considering they are only months away from potentially playing senior AFL football?
 
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checkside

Tiger Legend
Sep 23, 2005
7,188
997
Australia
Great post Snake.

The elite Vic kids especially those at Private Schools barely play club footy let alone senior footy. Their schools dictate when and where they play. Their first priority for them is playing for their school plus their TAC teams. It’s a farce.

At 17 years of age you should be exposed to senior footy. If you play for a club in the first division say the EFL, you should be aiming to play senior footy. But it just doesn’t happen. The exposure is just not there. Maybe they think they are not physically ready? But is that the right preparation considering they are only months away from potentially playing senior AFL football?
The schools dictate because most of them are on scholarships. Most of those private schools fees would be what, around 40 grand a year if your not on scholarship?
 
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tigersnake

Tear 'em apart
Sep 10, 2003
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Great post Snake.

The elite Vic kids especially those at Private Schools barely play club footy let alone senior footy. Their schools dictate when and where they play. Their first priority for them is playing for their school plus their TAC teams. It’s a farce.

At 17 years of age you should be exposed to senior footy. If you play for a club in the first division say the EFL, you should be aiming to play senior footy. But it just doesn’t happen. The exposure is just not there. Maybe they think they are not physically ready? But is that the right preparation considering they are only months away from potentially playing senior AFL football?
Agree. I could be wrong, but my hunch is that the 5 players who met the criteria did not go to a private school, I know 2 of them didn't, and I'm guessing the rest didn't either. IMO it would impact development for a few reasons, the physical challenge of playing with and against men, and also culturally playing in a team where the team and community is what matters, rather than getting noticed and getting drafted which is the case in elite juniors.

On the thinking they are physically ready thing, some would be some wouldn't, just like its always been, but none play seniors. I agree its a farce.

The fabric of the game has fundamentally changed, we all know that I guess, but to see it in such stark terms is an eye opener. I was expecting the numbers to be low, but not that low. When did it change so dramatically? Now its pretty much seems a blanket rule, especially in Victoria, nobody plays seniors, as I said Sonsie's 1 VFL game last year was treated as a freakish novelty.
 
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shad

Tiger Champion
Apr 6, 2010
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Castlemaine
I've seen a lot of junior country footy. The best junior player I have seen (Dusty included) ruined his body playing senior footy too early. Admittedly he was only 14 and the club was clearly derelict in it's duty of care-but I think both players and parents are rightfully a bit weary of the push to play 'up' before they are phyically ready.
 
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tigersnake

Tear 'em apart
Sep 10, 2003
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I've seen a lot of junior country footy. The best junior player I have seen (Dusty included) ruined his body playing senior footy too early. Admittedly he was only 14 and the club was clearly derelict in it's duty of care-but I think both players and parents are rightfully a bit weary of the push to play 'up' before they are phyically ready.
fair enough, 14 is ridiculous, even in the olden days. But that isn't the point here. As I said, some are ready some aren't, and we're talking 17 and 18 not 14 or 15, big difference. The best junior player I have seen, dusty included, was Tony Lockett. He was toying with gnarly veterans at 15 in the Ballarat league.

Back in the olden days every junior with talent played seniors at 17 or 18 mostly without incident. Now none do. Or at least none of the top rated juniors do.
 
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shad

Tiger Champion
Apr 6, 2010
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fair enough, 14 is ridiculous, even in the olden days. But that isn't the point here. As I said, some are ready some aren't, and we're talking 17 and 18 not 14 or 15, big difference. The best junior player I have seen, dusty included, was Tony Lockett. He was toying with gnarly veterans at 15 in the Ballarat league.

Back in the olden days every junior with talent played seniors at 17 or 18 mostly without incident. Now none do. Or at least none of the top rated juniors do.
The thing is up here some of the kids are doing it for the money. The kid I mentioned came from the worst home situation imaginable so he wanted/needed the cash.
 
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TigerMasochist

Walks softly carries a big stick.
Jul 13, 2003
25,571
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fair enough, 14 is ridiculous, even in the olden days. But that isn't the point here. As I said, some are ready some aren't, and we're talking 17 and 18 not 14 or 15, big difference. The best junior player I have seen, dusty included, was Tony Lockett. He was toying with gnarly veterans at 15 in the Ballarat league.

Back in the olden days every junior with talent played seniors at 17 or 18 mostly without incident. Now none do. Or at least none of the top rated juniors do.
Back then the country clubs would usually put the 15 to 18 y.o. kids with genuine talent straight up into the seniors where the game was far more skillful. Also avoided the risk of the youngsters getting taken out by the rough arsed nuffers n fringe players in the magoos that were more bash n crash than anything else.
 

eZyT

Tiger Legend
Jun 28, 2019
21,434
25,779
Ive had a backstage pass to the AFL talent intake this year,

And i reckon its pretty much the same as if you were privy to the machinations of ARC, MRP, fixturing, umpiring, rules committee, HR, PR etc etc.