what if a SA based team only chose SA players to draft ????

[drifter]

Before you think I'm crazy, consider this.
If say Port chose only local boys over the next 5 years, could it possibly, create
1. a group of players who truly want to be here.
2. A team of locals that would appeal to people.
3. Takes out the go home factor.
4. An environment where young locals know they have a much better chance of representing a club as well as their state.
5. Maybe they could also target young territorians, as they have no club affiliated to them, which could also reduce the go home factor.
6. This could create a club that represents the central corridor of Australia.

I realize that this means that you would miss out on some great talent at times, but I reckon you would much rather have a number 60 draft pick who plays for their club and state with passion and heart, than a slightly more talented Victorian at 40.
There is less of a settle in factor for one.
Not the perfect system, but haven't we just seen what Sydney achieved, with a team where over half of the players you hardly recognize. They want to be there and have created a culture, where dogged persistence can overcome pure talent ( Hawthorn)
Open for discussion

How many Sydney or NSW players represented the Swans last week?

Yes, but they are not an AFL state and dontv have the talent pool.

[drifter]

Not saying they will never move if they are locals, just saying it eliminates one of their reasons to leave. The question is would it work if a SA based team worked with locals ?
Not saying every club would have to do it. Couldn't care what they do really

[Sky Pilot]

Of course there are plenty of cases where a teenager gets picked up by an interstate club and suddenly he is off the leash at home and he discovers a whole new world of independence and pretty girls.

[Magpiespower]

What you don't wish him serious head injuries and the end of his career? What sort of supporter are you?

Even felt sorry for JB after the GF.

There's a photo of him sitting on the ground, absolutely gutted.

So ashamed...

[countryfootyfan]

I always thought homesickness was a weak excuse for someone doing what they love and getting paid well to do it. That was until I spoke to a mate playing for a victorian AFL side who grew up in Adelaide. He said the club, lifestyle, footballers, host families etc were all awesome, however it was the fact that every single one of your friends were your team mates. Not having the childhood friends and school friends nearby made it hard, especially if he wanted to get away from it all and not live & breathe footy for a minute, his friends Away from footy weren't there to just go grab a beer (or water), have tea etc... Not that he'd change it, just something I'd never considered..

[Dogwatcher]

I moved three hours away from Adelaide for work and had that same 'problem'. I didn't have the club support network they do - no support family for me. Back then, in my sh*tty car, three hours was as far away for me as a plane flight was for an SA bred footballer based in Victoria. I don't buy it.
Until you posted that, I'd never actually thought about it that way.
By the way, I ended up living in that country town for 14 years.

[heater31]

I always thought homesickness was a weak excuse for someone doing what they love and getting paid well to do it. That was until I spoke to a mate playing for a victorian AFL side who grew up in Adelaide. He said the club, lifestyle, footballers, host families etc were all awesome, however it was the fact that every single one of your friends were your team mates. Not having the childhood friends and school friends nearby made it hard, especially if he wanted to get away from it all and not live & breathe footy for a minute, his friends Away from footy weren't there to just go grab a beer (or water), have tea etc... Not that he'd change it, just something I'd never considered..

Maybe the interstate kids should hit the town early on and hope to catch the eye of a local bird and hope like shit she has a brother who can brag to his mates about you.... There you go instant mates away from footy.....

[redden whites]

Belted every game I reckon.

[Chuck Wepner]

Belted every game I reckon.

[countryfootyfan]

I moved three hours away from Adelaide for work and had that same 'problem'. I didn't have the club support network they do - no support family for me. Back then, in my sh*tty car, three hours was as far away for me as a plane flight was for an SA bred footballer based in Victoria. I don't buy it.
Until you posted that, I'd never actually thought about it that way.
By the way, I ended up living in that country town for 14 years.

Yeah exactly right dogwatcher, I'd never considered that until he mentioned it. He has developed friendships away from the club now through uni studies and outside interests, however in the modern game is hard for them to use that never fails bonding method (alcohol), so obviously takes longer. Would be plenty of fake friends become part of the scene as well I'd imagine, wanting to be seen around an AFL footballer. I do agree with this topic, I do think it would work for an SA or WA based side.... The Qld and NSW based clubs couldn't do it..

[Strawb]

Im sitting here reading about homesickness of these kids and thinking well the same thing happens in College Football. Players are recruited to a college in the next state or even in state and want to play closer to home. It is a fact of life these kids are being drafted too young if you ask me. 20 should be the minimum age for an AFL draftee

[drifter]

I reckon the homesick thing is just a over up, most of the time they just want to be back with their mates, not because they are homesick, they Judy know they can by manipulating the system.
At least with locals this would be out of the equation.
I wonder if you went through Ports draft picks over the past 5 years and replaced an interstater with a local boy who hadn't been picked up by another club at that stage, how would your team look. Don't know if anyone could do it, but it would be an interesting excercise

[FlyingHigh]

I always thought homesickness was a weak excuse for someone doing what they love and getting paid well to do it. That was until I spoke to a mate playing for a victorian AFL side who grew up in Adelaide. He said the club, lifestyle, footballers, host families etc were all awesome, however it was the fact that every single one of your friends were your team mates. Not having the childhood friends and school friends nearby made it hard, especially if he wanted to get away from it all and not live & breathe footy for a minute, his friends Away from footy weren't there to just go grab a beer (or water), have tea etc... Not that he'd change it, just something I'd never considered..

Wouldn't this also become worse if the Crows and Power get reserves sides and then these players are completely in their own little bubble? At least playing with SANFL teams they would get to a chance to mix with those who have more "normal", working lives, and perhaps realise how lucky they are to be able to solely concetrate on footy.

[Psyber]

Wouldn't this also become worse if the Crows and Power get reserves sides and then these players are completely in their own little bubble? At least playing with SANFL teams they would get to a chance to mix with those who have more "normal", working lives, and perhaps realise how lucky they are to be able to solely concetrate on footy.

It may be best to pay AFL players less and make them need jobs - that would widen their circle of friendships and not inflate their egos as much.
(It may make football more recognisable to the public too, and less of an athletics competition.)

[drifter]

This is Ports interstate draft picks over the past 5 years and the locals they could of had, who were still available in the draft at the time of their selection.
I obviously have not included picks where they chose an SA boy anyway.
Granted the last 2 drafts are too early to call, but the rest still makes interesting comparisons

2011 chose Achee and Blee , could of had Matt Wright, Lacmhie Neale, Matt Panos, Nick Joyce

2010 chose Ben Jacobs, Ben Newton, Aaron young, Cam O Shea , could of had Lycett, Poupolo, Duigan,, Brad Helbig, Luke Davis

2009 chose Butcher, Pittard and Moore. could of chosen Tapscott, Byron Sumner, Bollenhagen, Obrien and Craig

2008 chose Trengrove, Banner and Davenport could of had Schoenmakers, Jack Redden and Tyson Slattery

2007 chose Matt Lobbe, Marlon Motlop could of had Brad Ebert and Levi Greenwood

Only one of these that I can see that Port came out in front choosing interstaters and that was 2009

[GWW]

How could we have had Brad Ebert instead of Lobbe??

[drifter]

Hypothetical, this could possibly be the team

F Gray. Schulz Brett Ebert

HF Broadbent Westhoff Hartlett

C Cornes. Boak Wingard

Hb. m. wright, Schoenmakers Duigan

B Thomas. Jonas Poupolo.

Ruck Jarrad Redden , Jack Redden, Brad Ebert

int Lycett, Cassisi, Tapscott, D.Stewart

[drifter]

How could we have had Brad Ebert instead of Lobbe??

Yeah, my mistake. Lobbe 16 Ebert 13

[JK]

2011 chose Achee and Blee , could of had Matt Wright, Lacmhie Neale, Matt Panos, Nick Joyce
Panos hasn't played a game I think, and looks unlikely to.

2010 chose Ben Jacobs, Ben Newton, Aaron young, Cam O Shea , could of had Lycett, Poupolo, Duigan,, Brad Helbig, Luke Davis
Puopolo and Duigan unlikely to have much longevity about them

2009 chose Butcher, Pittard and Moore. could of chosen Tapscott, Byron Sumner, Bollenhagen, Obrien and Craig
Every club would have selected Butcher, and IMHO he'll still be a very good player
2008 chose Trengrove, Banner and Davenport could of had Schoenmakers, Jack Redden and Tyson Slattery
Fair call, although only one real stand out from that lot at this stage
2007 chose Matt Lobbe, Marlon Motlop could of had Brad Ebert and Levi Greenwoodain
Again 1 of those stands out from the rest

Only one of these that I can see that Port came out in front choosing interstaters and that was 2009

I reckon this example shows the hit and miss nature .. There's not a massive difference between the names mentioned, with fly-by-nighters on both sides.

Know a couple of scouts for AFL clubs that would have loved to get their hands on Butch .. I still reckon he'll be quality if he can get healthy.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Hypothetical, this could possibly be the team

F Gray. Schulz Brett Ebert

HF Broadbent Westhoff Hartlett

C Cornes. Boak Wingard

Hb. m. wright, Schoenmakers Duigan

B Thomas. Jonas Poupolo.

Ruck Jarrad Redden , Jack Redden, Brad Ebert

int Lycett, Cassisi, Tapscott, D.Stewart

The team is no better. Might be worse.