Give me at least one good reason why...

[spell_check]

...State Under 18 players get taken out of the League side to play in trial matches? Matthew Martin, Christopher Hall, Matt Broadbent and Sam Daveron did not play for theie League clubs just to play matches in which the only thing that seems to benefit is the selectors of this side. Since when did it matter if SA won or not in these matches? All I think these matches are for is to showcase the best young talent for the AFL clubs. But in the development of such players, what's more beneficial - playing League against mature players, or playing virtually meaningless trial matches?

[Wedgie]

So they get more used to their teammates thus giving them a better opportunity to show their skills on the big stage when all the recruiters are watching them at the U18 carnival if they're clicking better with their team mates.
Less practise together against other teams means less chance of winning games and less chance of getting drafted.

[spell_check]

I created this thread with half a mind to boost the post count by a lengthy discussion. Now look what you've done!

[Wedgie]

I created this thread with half a mind to boost the post count by a lengthy discussion. Now look what you've done!

If that was the case you should have said "Give me at least 652 reasons why..."

[spell_check]

I created this thread with half a mind to boost the post count by a lengthy discussion. Now look what you've done!

If that was the case you should have said "Give me at least 652 reasons why..."

No wonder I like stats, I can never get a proper discussion going without involving numbers!

[Mr66]

Give it a few more tries guys and you'll have the Abbott&Costello routine down pat.

[nickname]

I'm with you spelly, I think it's appalling. If they're good enough to be playing League footy that's where they're going to develop more quickly, and talent scouts can just as easily see them at SANFL games.
I don't believe skills improve because of familiarity with teammates. If that was the case Simon Feast would be the best kick in the comp.
And the results of U18 matches mean nothing to the talent scouts. But perhaps they do to the state football governing bodies.

[spell_check]

Hooray, I thought Wedgie killed off this thread! Ok, perhaps one trial match is good enough, but these players miss about 4 League matches if they are up to that standard. How many trial matches do the State League team play?

[Ian]

The state league plays one game a year at most, the U18's play off in the national championships, 5 games to decide who is the best in the country, surely that is worth taking seriously enough to have trial games. I'm actualy looking forward to the U18's tomorrow as much if not more than the main event.

[Wedgie]

Noone said anyone's skills improve as a result of familiarity although it could be argued people will have more idea where to handball to or kick to having played with players for a while.
The simple fact is the players from the winning sides have more chance of getting picked up, the more games they play together the more chance they have of winning.
It's not rocket science!!!
If more players got drafted from the SANFL league ranks than get drafted from Under 18 competitions there may be an argument, doesn't happen so there isn't.
I think the talent scouts, managers, mentors and leagues all know a little bit better than some on here what is best for the kids chances of being picked up.
Kids getting pulled out of league teams to play for their schools however.....

[Thiele]

Going early tomorrow to see the stars of the future

[spell_check]

Kids getting pulled out of league teams to play for their schools however.....

Don't get me started on that one.

[MightyEagles]

...State Under 18 players get taken out of the League side to play in trial matches? Matthew Martin, Christopher Hall, Matt Broadbent and Sam Daveron did not play for theie League clubs just to play matches in which the only thing that seems to benefit is the selectors of this side. Since when did it matter if SA won or not in these matches? All I think these matches are for is to showcase the best young talent for the AFL clubs. But in the development of such players, what's more beneficial - playing League against mature players, or playing virtually meaningless trial matches?

Well there is the SA U18 v Tas U18 game on tomorrow at 10.35 am

[nickname]

If more players got drafted from the SANFL league ranks than get drafted from Under 18 competitions there may be an argument, doesn't happen so there isn't.
I think the talent scouts, managers, mentors and leagues all know a little bit better than some on here what is best for the kids chances of being picked up.

Not every kid from SA good enough to be drafted is ready to play League footy. We're only talking about those who have been playing League so a comparison on numbers drafted is irrelevant. And the scouts want all the kids there because it's obviously more convenient; the leagues want to boast about winning championships. I'm not saying they have no interest in the kids' chances of being drafted but other factors are at play and I object to it because I think it's disrespectful to the SANFL competition.

[Wedgie]

If more players got drafted from the SANFL league ranks than get drafted from Under 18 competitions there may be an argument, doesn't happen so there isn't.
I think the talent scouts, managers, mentors and leagues all know a little bit better than some on here what is best for the kids chances of being picked up.

Not every kid from SA good enough to be drafted is ready to play League footy. We're only talking about those who have been playing League so a comparison on numbers drafted is irrelevant. And the scouts want all the kids there because it's obviously more convenient; the leagues want to boast about winning championships. I'm not saying they have no interest in the kids' chances of being drafted but other factors are at play and I object to it because I think it's disrespectful to the SANFL competition.

You're living in the past, the result is irrelevent these days (except for the fact the Grand Finalists get more exposure than other kids), it is only about kids getting drafted. That's a simple fact of current AFL style life unfortunately.
Im not saying its right, I'd prefer the SANFL to be a higher exposure comp with the kids good enough to play league staying here but Im just explaining it why it is as it is.

[nickname]

I understand why it is as it is but I don't think it would be that hard to have an agreement that if an U18 kid is playing League footy in the SANFL or WAFL he should be allowed to continue that. They still get to draft him.
Losing half a dozen kids for 2 months is ridiculous. Why would you want to judge a kid like Hamish Hartlett against U18s instead of judging him in a competition much closer to what he's aspiring to play in anyway?

[Wedgie]

Why would you want to judge a kid like Hamish Hartlett against U18s instead of judging him in a competition much closer to what he's aspiring to play in anyway?

Because you get a more accurate reflection as to where he's at in regard to his own age group.

[nickname]

If he's already playing senior footy I think you can safely assume he's at the forefront of his age group.
And what scouts at the championships are ultimately trying to do is work out who's most likely to succeed at the highest level. They'd get a better idea of that by seeing them play at a higher level.

[Macca19]

If he's already playing senior footy I think you can safely assume he's at the forefront of his age group.
And what scouts at the championships are ultimately trying to do is work out who's most likely to succeed at the highest level. They'd get a better idea of that by seeing them play at a higher level.

Couldnt disagree more.


In any case, its necessary for them to play trials. Id say two trials would be about right. Get them used to each others games and the style that the coaches want them to play instead of all rocking up to the first championship game and looking second rate.

[spell_check]

Wouldn't having training sessions together do the same thing?