Player Development (loan program)

[Willo]

Just wanted to air some thoughts....

Given the player restrictions on RFC listed players being able to play in the Coburg Seniors, does this have any drawbacks on the number of types of players we draft or rookie?
For example if we have players such as Vickery, Graham, Putt, Browne, Pattison not in the RFC team and they have to play at Coburg, there becomes a bit of a jam, trying to develop these players. As we know a number will play in the Coburg Seniors, the others may have to go to Coburg Reserves or may be left out all together.
Does this in fact inhibit the type of player we draft, with the expectation they could struggle to get game time and therefore develop at a slower rate?

I was thinking of the possibilities of forging an "alliance" or "relationship" with a SANFL club.
For example the Glenelg Tigers have a highly credentialled coach in Mark Mickan, would it be possible or viable to "loan" RFC players to Glenelg. Having it as a feeder club, such as happens in NRL clubs.
The 2 clubs could have some sort of information/technology/rehab etc exchange programs put in place.

An exchange of different techniques, styles, fitness, etc even some Assistants or Development Coaches
having some dialogue or sharing some preseason training sessions.
If we were able to "loan" junior ruckmen for instance (with an Assistant Coach monitoring them on a regular basis) or even the RFC and GFC having a joint Development Coach.
Just pondering the positives and/or negatives of such a concept.

Its been often said that WA and SA AFL clubs have an advantage over Victorian teams (without stand alone VFL teams) as they are able to farm out their players to the SANFL clubs and the players have more opportunities and game time put into their development.

With money obviously an impediment to us having our own stand alone VFL team, this may be one "outside the square" that may enable us to get some advantage and enable some further development of certain player types.

(As this is a serious question, please resist the calls to exchange specific players that don't measure up to personal posters expectations ie exchange, Mcmahon or insert name... ;D)

Please share your thoughts.....

 

[geoffryprettyboy]

No doubt a good idea although I don't think our club is smart enough or even have the money to administer this through.

Further player development is to break away from Coburg and stand alone.

Sell 2-4 games to say Darwin, Gold Coast, or even New Zealand to fund the our own VFL side to use it for player development.

 

[barty boy]

is standing alone a viable option for us at this stage?
my preference in an ideal world would be to stand alone,it would help player development no end
was at coburg today and would much rather see a black and yellow jumper doing the rounds out on the ground

 

[tigerlee]

Great idea willo - we need to be able to play our players week after week at the next level - not the VFL Reserves. What does that teach them? Nothing. Im not sure we could forge with a SA club but a stand alone one would be good - look at Colliwobble, they seem to have a next string of players that can walk straight into the seniors. Our players look lost sometimes at senior level and I think this has something to do with the level they play at when not in the seniors, they are not ready for the toughness of 1st grade play..

 

[waiting]

Willo your idea has merit.

As geoffreyprettyboy stated, "i doubt they are smart enough and have the money to administer this". He also mentioned "selling games".

I like the idea of selling "some " games as we did with the game with the Crows. I know this idea upsets alot of people, but if we are to have a stand alone entity in the AFL , we have to seriously consider maybe selling another two games. Each game would bring us a windfall instead of playing games at the 'Dome". This can be done against interstate clubs like Adelaide, Port, Fremantle and the Swans. It would be worth more to the club than playing the insterstate clubs at the Dome where we either make a small profit or even a small loss.

Which would you prefer?

It enables our brand to be marketed to other states and builds memberships, which in turns increases revenue.

It also gives our interstate supporters (in those states) to watch the Tigers play a chance to do so, whereas they may not get that otherwise.

The development of 'OUR" players would be fast tracked as there would be funds available via the selling of games. At the end of the day isnt this whats it all about.? Development of our players , funds to be able to spend more on these areas and marketing our brand.

If the idea of selling some games interstate hurts supporters , what about during the pre season having some games played even in other countries like Sth Africa, Dubai, New Zealand(as mentioned) etc etc.

We really have to consider to stand alone within the next few years.

waiting

 

[YinnarTiger]

One of the disadvantages is that there's no "3rds" level that we currently have with Coburg reserves. When Collingwood has a low injury count they have some players that can't play because they only have 44 places available. I believe the omissions get to have a run with some amateur teams like Old Scotch.

 

[TigerMasochist]

One of the disadvantages is that there's no "3rds" level that we currently have with Coburg reserves. When Collingwood has a low injury count they have some players that can't play because they only have 44 places available. I believe the omissions get to have a run with some amateur teams like Old Scotch.

The disadvantage is more likely the other way round.
No injuries means you have 22 players available for seniors and seconds.
A handfull of injuries means you have to outsource players from somewhere else.
The Cats have about 8 or 10 players on call from various clubs around the local Geelong and Bellarine leagues. Scumwood would be in the same situation, they've had a few injury problems early in the year and would have been dragging in players from wherever to fill the reserves list.

 

[YinnarTiger]

The disadvantage is more likely the other way round.
No injuries means you have 22 players available for seniors and seconds.
A handfull of injuries means you have to outsource players from somewhere else.
The Cats have about 8 or 10 players on call from various clubs around the local Geelong and Bellarine leagues. Scumwood would be in the same situation, they've had a few injury problems early in the year and would have been dragging in players from wherever to fill the reserves list.

Scumwood haven't had to do that. I don't know about Geelong but there are players on Scumwood's list that are designated VFL only like our Coburg VFL players They don't have a team in the VFL reserves. There's been at least one game where no VFL designated player played including their captain Peverill. This weekend they had 20 AFL players playing against Frankston with none.

 

[Dyer Disciple]

Great idea Willo, nice to see someone thinking from the left field/out of the box.

Personally I would rather see us develop our own VFL side, I am not sure you would get a lot from your idea and it could hamper as much as it assists.

Even though Adelaide is not as bad as say, Perth, the relocation even though temporary or travelling back and forth becomes a bit of a logistical nightmare both fiscally and lifestyle wise. It's not insurmountable but not sure the gains would be worth the cost/administeration/risks.

The better option is to aggressively pursue the best player development staff and relevant support staff (medical, fitness etc). I'd much rather see us funnelling money into those aspects than airfares, potential accomodation, extra staff for this exercise etc.

SANFL footy is also very different to VFL footy, so while I am not sure of the details of your idea (ie if you intend a player to play all three leagues as they develop) the various styles and requirements can get daunting for your average footballer just trying to focus on his own game.

Besides they are a funny mob in SA, they might not be too receptive to some Melbourne guys coming into their side willy/nilly. :hihi

 

[Willo]

Great idea Willo, nice to see someone thinking from the left field/out of the box.

Personally I would rather see us develop our own VFL side, I am not sure you would get a lot from your idea and it could hamper as much as it assists.

Even though Adelaide is not as bad as say, Perth, the relocation even though temporary or travelling back and forth becomes a bit of a logistical nightmare both fiscally and lifestyle wise. It's not insurmountable but not sure the gains would be worth the cost/administeration/risks.

The better option is to aggressively pursue the best player development staff and relevant support staff (medical, fitness etc). I'd much rather see us funnelling money into those aspects than airfares, potential accomodation, extra staff for this exercise etc.

SANFL footy is also very different to VFL footy, so while I am not sure of the details of your idea (ie if you intend a player to play all three leagues as they develop) the various styles and requirements can get daunting for your average footballer just trying to focus on his own game.

Besides they are a funny mob in SA, they might not be too receptive to some Melbourne guys coming into their side willy/nilly. :hihi

Thanks for the response fellas. Yep, I had considered a stand alone side in the VFL, but we still need to have a 3rds team somewhere. If we had a stand alone team and no 3rds, we're in a worse position than now, or where do we play our least developed players? in our 2nds or a VFA team its a bit hard to farm them to Coburg 2nds, or is it?
I just wondered if this dearth of availability had some influence on draft day. ie port power have Lade/Brogan as their no.1 rucks but still have another 5 or 6 able to be farmed out to 4 SANFL clubs. That sort of flexibility allows some advantages.

What other alternatives do we have?