AFL Academy Trip 2016

[Scoop]

As most are aware the AFL sends the cream of the crop of each year on a trip to the US to prepare them for the year ahead.

The level one squad of 25 players is selected following the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships, and the level two squad includes the best 35 under-18 players in the country. These players are eligible for the upcoming NAB AFL Draft and go on the trip.

Surprisingly, Richmond is one of 7 clubs (Dogs, WCE, Port, Syd, GWS, Ess. Sydney clubs academy boys would take up there interest. Amazing the Essendon have no one considering how heavily they will have to invest in the draft) that do not have any representation on the trip and therefore misses time to see and more importantly interact away from the ground with the best of the best for the upcoming draft. Emma Quayle talks at length in her book how this time is so important for the AFL clubs to begin to understand the personalities and attitudes of the players early on. So, are we at a competitive disadvantage not having any one of this trip.

My answer is, yes.

 

[The Mole]

A number of the academy boys have been training at punt road during the preseason so we have already had a close look at some of them.

 

[Scoop]

Yep, I know that. I'd still be on the trip watching the prospects away from the ground as much as on it.

Reckon we are missing a huge opportunity. Knowledge is power. The more you know the earlier the better.

The only counter I would accept would be we have a extensive knowledge of this blokes from the U16 level and have a better knowledge base then other clubs.

 

[evo]

where are the names - I'll be interested to see if I know any of them.

Did Naishy get a gig?

 

[Scoop]

Yep Naish is in. What a name. ;D

Vic Country: Tyrone Hayes, Aaron Darling, Kane Farrell, Aidan Quigley, Lochie O'Brien, Hunter Clark, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Cody Henness, Oscar Clavarino
Vic Metro: Jack Higgins, Lachlan Fogarty, Patrick Naish, Joel Garner, Jaidyn Stephenson

 

[fitchy86]

Yep Naish is in. What a name. ;D

Vic Country: Tyrone Hayes, Aaron Darling, Kane Farrell, Aidan Quigley, Lochie O'Brien, Hunter Clark, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Cody Henness, Oscar Clavarino
Vic Metro: Jack Higgins, Lachlan Fogarty, Patrick Naish, Joel Garner, Jaidyn Stephenson

Who is bolded player Joel Garner?

 

[evo]

my young bloke has played with Jack Higgins. Very good player

Surprised Charlie Thompson didnt make it as well.

 

[evo]

i'm kinda surprised Naishy made that team. They obviously rate him a bit higher than I do.

Oh well, good news. looks like we'll have a father son on our list in 2017

 

[TigerMasochist]

Who is bolded player Joel Garner?

Might simply be bolded because it seems possible the kid has been named after Joel big bird Garner.

 

[D85]

my young bloke has played with Jack Higgins. Very good player

Surprised Charlie Thompson didnt make it as well.

Both very good players.

 

[Scoop]

Just read Emma Q's article yesterday on this trip.

I’m even more staggered as to why we had nobody in attendance.

Talk about starting behind the eight ball, just ridiculous.

 

[evo]

Just read Emma Q's article yesterday on this trip.

I’m even more staggered as to why we had nobody in attendance.

Talk about starting behind the eight ball, just ridiculous.

yeah, oh well.

You'll never guess who the young bloke is training with at the moment with Doncaster Sharks.

Going to be a pretty good side. Ben Johnson and Heath Scotland play for them as well.

 

[taztiger4]

Just read Emma Q's article yesterday on this trip.

I’m even more staggered as to why we had nobody in attendance.

Talk about starting behind the eight ball, just ridiculous.

Did I hear somewhere that the "Football Tax" might have been a reason some clubs didn't attend

 

[D85]

The footy department tax has definitely made an impact in a variety of ways across the AFL

 

[Ghost of 29]

Yep footy tax would be the main reason.

But I wouldn't be too concerned. The AFL/AIS shares every little bit of info with the clubs, so whilst the attending clubs may pick up 1 or 2 small insights that hadn't been picked up before, these would be well known to all clubs by the time the draft comes around.

As was told my Matt Clark, the club tracks these kids for 2-3 years prior to drafting.

Have been told about young Naishy. Great kid, great attitude but thinks he will need to work his backside off to get drafted. He is good in all facets, but not outstanding...yet.

 

[Scoop]

Just on this, I'll never understand how we sent scouts over to the Ruck Combine in the USA but not to the Academy trip.

Completely bonkers logic.