Players returning from the AFL

[Pseudo]

angwin

he was a good recruit for the night clubs of adelaide, especially one down at marion which no longer exists.........

Are you saying he got up to Shenanigans?

[SimonH]

Ever since the aftermath of Anthony Banik being the #1 draft pick in 1989 (summary of what happened from draft nerd Weaver below), players are drafted to AFL clubs not based on what they've achieved, but on what they might achieve. That cursed word, 'potential'. No surprise at all that many delisted players have never reached SANFL league standard during their time with an AFL club (which, for the first couple of years, is just looking for attitude, commitment and ongoing improvement, rather than absolute playing standard); and some of them never will.

Ed McDonnell received a rookie listing from St Kilda in the hope that he might develop into an AFL footballer, not because he was playing at SANFL league standard at the time of his rookie drafting. As it turns out, he didn't turn into an AFL footballer. And after 2 years at Norwood, he didn't turn into a SANFL league footballer either. No huge surprise. Happens pretty often. On the flipside, just among Norwood players, Sam Rowe and Matt Davis are two who really never even went close to achieving an AFL debut, but are showing every sign of being long-term SANFL players.

The real question is about players who have forged decent-length AFL careers returning (or being recruited) to the SANFL. Sometimes it's about age and injuries, more often about attitude. If you think about any job, if near the end of your career you cop a demotion from chief dog-catcher to assistant pooch-walker, then unless you have great steel and self-discipline, your natural inclination will be to go through the motions somewhat, thinking, 'I've operated at a higher level; I can do this lower-level job in my sleep'. There will be young, keen kids on the way up who might never reach the career heights you have been to, but they will give it their all, every day. They will probably walk the dogs better than you.

For those younger blokes who have had the dream of making their fame and fortune through the thing they're best at-- playing Aussie rules football-- and the dream has been dashed by being an AFL delistee for one reason or another, there's every reason you'd prefer to go around playing parklands footy with your mates, rather than slogging it out in a semi-pro league which is unlikely to be worth it financially, and emotionally would just torture you by reminding you how close, but still out of reach, the dream is. And those with massive natural ability who try to treat the SANFL as Parklands footy, and just skate by on talent without fitness or preparation, get found out in about 5 minutes flat.

Anthony Banik, the number 1 draft pick was one of the best credientialled junior footballers ever. He was an All-Australian under-16 while still only 14. If he hadn't been drafted by Richmond as a 16 year old he would have become the first person ever to represent a state in 3 Teal Cup under-17 tournaments. He was regarded as the unanimous number 1 selection. He made the all-Australian under-17 team despite missing the 9 weeks prior to the carnival with a knee injury. He was a state junior shotput and discus champion, and the nephew of Carlton premiership player Billy Bennett. However Banik was extremely mature and physically developed for his age group, and had very little improvement left in him. After 49 games at Richmond he was delisted and has since played in the SANFL. Banik serves now as a warning to recruiters to ensure that they recruit players with potential, not merely on the basis that they dominate junior competitions.

Link

[NFC]

Ed McDonnell received a rookie listing from St Kilda in the hope that he might develop into an AFL footballer, not because he was playing at SANFL league standard at the time of his rookie drafting. As it turns out, he didn't turn into an AFL footballer. And after 2 years at Norwood, he didn't turn into a SANFL league footballer either. No huge surprise. Happens pretty often. On the flipside, just among Norwood players, Sam Rowe and Matt Davis are two who really never even went close to achieving an AFL debut, but are showing every sign of being long-term SANFL players.

Wasn't McDonnell from Qld or something? In anycase, absolute hack unfortunately. No idea how he spent 2 years on an AFL list.

[Booney]

Wade Thompson was playing ressies for us Saturday after playing AFL not that long ago.
And I don't know what the Crows have done to Gilly but they've turned a champion player into a complete duffer.

Quite often players that aren't good enough for our league are closer to selection with the Power than us.

Not sure he was ever a champion player?

Strange for you to have a swipe at the Power, even if off topic...returning from the AFL...

[Wedgie]

Wade Thompson was playing ressies for us Saturday after playing AFL not that long ago.
And I don't know what the Crows have done to Gilly but they've turned a champion player into a complete duffer.

Quite often players that aren't good enough for our league are closer to selection with the Power than us.

Not sure he was ever a champion player?

Strange for you to have a swipe at the Power, even if off topic...returning from the AFL...

Didn't have a swipe at the power at all, merely stated a fact as we might have a lot of players in one position the Power have had injuries for.
Only mentioned the Power because I dont remember it happening with the Crows and young Motlop was the most recent example that came to mind as it was only this year.
I was talking about Gill and Thompson after they'd returned from playing football with the Crows and Power. If the Crows and Power aren't in the AFL then fair enough.
Crikey, you're sensative at times. Knock that chip off your shoulder mate, its not my fault your club is a basket case (that is a swipe).

PS I can understand you not thinking the Power are in the AFL because if Geelong play AFL football the Power sure as hell ain't close to it, probably about 119 points away.
(and yes that is another swipe)

[Booney]

I didn't realise you gave cooking lessons mate? It is nice to know how to make a storm in a tea cup though.

[Wedgie]

I didn't realise you gave cooking lessons mate? It is nice to know how to make a storm in a tea cup though.

Get off yor husband's computer and put Boohooney back on!

[Macca19]

Ricky O'Loughlin wasnt too bad. Was very good in 2003 especially.

harry Miller was a complete waste of time though. Didnt look interested at any stage.

Fabian Francis was another that didnt fire a shot after his 'stint' at Freo.

Pickett didnt even last till March.

[Booney]

You on topic Macca? Sheesh.

O'Loughlin was ok, you're right.

Miller and Pickett were probably never going to do much as both looked to have had enough of football full stop.

Francis I thought was going to be a real help but I guess once playing top flight footy is gone to drop back down in standard would be hard to do.

[harley d]

I dont think the Crows have done anyhthing to Gill, he is just playing at the correct level , thats all.

[doggies4eva]

You on topic Macca? Sheesh.

O'Loughlin was ok, you're right.

Miller and Pickett were probably never going to do much as both looked to have had enough of football full stop.

Francis I thought was going to be a real help but I guess once playing top flight footy is gone to drop back down in standard would be hard to do.

I think the problem is Booney that the difference in standards between the two leagues is quite small so if an AFL player thinks he can drop back and pick up 30 kicks each week without putting in the hard yards then he is quickly found out.

[FlyingHigh]

You on topic Macca? Sheesh.

O'Loughlin was ok, you're right.

Miller and Pickett were probably never going to do much as both looked to have had enough of football full stop.

Francis I thought was going to be a real help but I guess once playing top flight footy is gone to drop back down in standard would be hard to do.

Francis and Pickett had pretty good AFL careers and so didn't really have much else to prove, as opposed to Miller and O'Loughlin, and they were the sort of players who I had in mind at the start of the thread.

[purch]

And those with massive natural ability who try to treat the SANFL as Parklands footy, and just skate by on talent without fitness or preparation, get found out in about 5 minutes flat.

What, like Luke Jarjoura?

[Macca19]

Beinke, Evans, Fiegert, Carter, Carr, Poole, Brown, Tregenza, Scotty, Clive, Obst, Poulton are others that continued to play good footy for Port post-AFL.

Che, Bond, Hull, Ormond Allen, Sheehan, Lokan probably not as good.

[Footy Boots]

With some discussion from Eagles fans about whether Jarrad Wright deserves to be playing league footy, got me thinking about players who have returned from the AFL and haven't really fired a shot at league level. Understand for some there may be mitigating circumstances, but also makes you wonder what the AFL clubs saw in these players to begin with. For the main, excluding players like Gilbert McAdam who had distinguished AFL careers.

Here are some I thought of:
Jarrad Wright
Izaac Thompson (Eagles)
Harry Miller
Ricky O'Loughlin
Isaac Weetra
Bennet Copping
Sundqvist ?? (Bays)
James Wasley (although he did play some decent footy for Collingwood)

Who else comes to mind

what is Ricky O'Loughlin doing these days. saw him play for kapunda 2years he looked like he had put on a few KGs but the footy talent was clear.

[Big Phil]

what is Ricky O'Loughlin doing these days. saw him play for kapunda 2years he looked like he had put on a few KGs but the footy talent was clear.

Yeah he was at Kapunda for a couple of years, on some pretty good coin, but I'm pretty sure he played out at Salisbury in Div 3 SAAFL last year.

Got a mate playing B Grade out there and Eddie Hocking is coaching Salisbury's A Grade. I think Ricky is out there still this year but not 100% sure.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Wade Thompson was playing ressies for us Saturday after playing AFL not that long ago.
And I don't know what the Crows have done to Gilly but they've turned a champion player into a complete duffer.

Quite often players that aren't good enough for our league are closer to selection with the Power than us.

You can add Daniel Stewart to the list Wedgie. After a promising year last year, did a Power pre season, then Power rookie listed, now playing ressies.

[FlyingHigh]

Beinke, Evans, Fiegert, Carter, Carr, Poole, Brown, Tregenza, Scotty, Clive, Obst, Poulton are others that continued to play good footy for Port post-AFL.

Che, Bond, Hull, Ormond Allen, Sheehan, Lokan probably not as good.

Lokan is another good example.

[Grahaml]

Faulkner just wasn't interested. Perhaps some of these guys just aren't interested in footy. They work bloody hard on an AFL list and live football all year round for the duration. Dropping back a level might not eppeal, and not being around a footy club full time could be hard to adjust to. In the end Faulkner went to the mines with his old man I think. Could still be a good SANFL player if he really wanted to be.

[nickname]

You can add Daniel Stewart to the list Wedgie. After a promising year last year, did a Power pre season, then Power rookie listed, now playing ressies.

Matthew Martin's in the same boat at West.