Top Up Players

[SDK]

Now that the deal is done what clubs will provide top up Crows players ?
Grant Dalwood bought up some good points on Thursday..... Why would a club NOT want a few young kids having the opportunity to train and play with AFL players. These kids would not play against their home clubs and would not be good enough to play League but the experience could only help their development.

[Grahaml]

Given the Crows and Power were adamant that playing under their control and system was the number one priority over what level they were playing at, I'd suggest the SANFL clubs would feel very similarly. I can see the top up players being those who would have been dropped back to SAAFL clubs after missing out on reserves selection.

[Panther Pack]

Reckon Crows top up players should be players who don't make it onto an SANFL teams squad.
At least that way the Crows can have there own players all year and not have players come and go weekly. Also would allow the SANFL clubs to have access to there players all season rather than players coming and going.

[saintal]

Apparently the Crows have a late withdrawal today, so Tambling will play. So obviously their SANFL team will need to list emergencies as well. Do unused emergencies then filter back to their SANFL club if not used? I can see some weekends being very messy, especially late in the season when the Crows' SANFL team has about 10-12 AFL players.

I read in a Rucci article that the Crows claim that last year they would have needed 1.5 top up players on average, and 3.5 this season. These numbers seem very low, especially following the trends of the past month or so when they would have needed 6-8 on average. Surly the Crows wouldn't fudge figures...

[saintal]

Given the Crows and Power were adamant that playing under their control and system was the number one priority over what level they were playing at, I'd suggest the SANFL clubs would feel very similarly. I can see the top up players being those who would have been dropped back to SAAFL clubs after missing out on reserves selection.

It's a good point. Pure hypocrisy. Having a bunch of kids running around who aren't yet ready to play ressies for their SANFL club isn't doing anything for the reputation of the league. Farce.

[Panther Pack]

Yeah agree Saintal reckon there are a few reasons for Crows just having their own players rather than frantically contacting SANFL clubs and saying we are short and require an extra player for the weekend.