Is the AFL doing enough to support Indigenous talent? Report

[Phantom Gossiper]

What i never got in that whole case is IF!!!!!

Hyperthetically

You are a club like Port Adelaide and struggling for cash you have two identical footballers in every single way except one is an Aboriginal lad from 250km north of Alice Springs, the other footballer is from West Beach. Remembering these two footballers are identical.

Of course your going to take the lad from West Beach, 1/ the chances of him settling into life in Adelaide is greater. 2/being a club struggling financially its going to cost alot less to settle him into life in SA.

Righto well then in future when your AFL side is looking to draft players, make sure you get them to only draft from home grown talents

[Phantom Gossiper]

Indigenous players generally come from low socio-economic backgrounds. Generally live with a lower standard of education, and have a low % that complete school. Some (e.g.Jarrah) have been are initiated members of their community, rich in culture and tradition. Raised a certain way, to abide by a traditional law and obligations.
It is difficult for these young people to then relocate away from family and support and what they have known and be thrown into the AFL system, in the spot light and with all these rules, regulations and guidelines to abide by. Granted white kids would have similar issues, but whether you choose to believe it or not, they will have greater ease adapting given the people around - same skin colour, same language, same customs and traditions. A young indigenous kid is all alone. Throw on top of that the fact that no white person can relate to them, dont understand their traditions, culture, family etc. Even if some white fulla did, how do you think a young black fulla is going to feel trying to open up to a strange white person he doesn't know or can relate to?

Don't get me wrong, I think the AFL should do as much as they can to support all AFL players listed in as many facets as they can, I just think people cant come on here and make ill-informed comments without having a greater understanding of what these people go through.

[Phantom Gossiper]

And it's important that people don't just pigeon-hole all indigenous people in this catergory. This is about a minority that struggles with the adaption.

The AFL and it's history is littered with examples of indigenous people who have made it in the AFL and adapted and managed to have successfull careers.

I challenge someone to identify one of these players that came from a remote community straight into the system though..

[whufc]

What i never got in that whole case is IF!!!!!

Hyperthetically

You are a club like Port Adelaide and struggling for cash you have two identical footballers in every single way except one is an Aboriginal lad from 250km north of Alice Springs, the other footballer is from West Beach. Remembering these two footballers are identical.

Of course your going to take the lad from West Beach, 1/ the chances of him settling into life in Adelaide is greater. 2/being a club struggling financially its going to cost alot less to settle him into life in SA.

Righto well then in future when your AFL side is looking to draft players, make sure you get them to only draft from home grown talents

Give me 1 reason if you had two identical players why you would pick the bloke from a totally different culture compared to a player who would be coming to the same environment.

Its not just a skin colour issue the same applies if you have 2 identical players one an Aboriginal lad from WWT Eagles and the other a caucasian from Frankston, the players are exactly the same why wouldnt you go for the Aboriginal lad, straight away you are taking the 'go home' factor out of the equation. Obviously if one had a clear talent over another that would change the situation.

[whufc]

Indigenous players generally come from low socio-economic backgrounds. Generally live with a lower standard of education[/b[b]], and have a low % that complete school. Some (e.g.Jarrah) have been are initiated members of their community, rich in culture and tradition. Raised a certain way, to abide by a traditional law and obligations.
It is difficult for these young people to then relocate away from family and support and what they have known and be thrown into the AFL system, in the spot light and with all these rules, regulations and guidelines to abide by. Granted white kids would have similar issues, but whether you choose to believe it or not, they will have greater ease adapting given the people around - same skin colour, same language, same customs and traditions. A young indigenous kid is all alone. Throw on top of that the fact that no white person can relate to them, dont understand their traditions, culture, family etc. Even if some white fulla did, how do you think a young black fulla is going to feel trying to open up to a strange white person he doesn't know or can relate to?

Don't get me wrong, I think the AFL should do as much as they can to support all AFL players listed in as many facets as they can, I just think people cant come on here and make ill-informed comments without having a greater understanding of what these people go through.

Couldnt the same be said about a high percentage of children from the northern suburbs.

I have no problem with any player receiving special treatment for whatever reason they need it. Im obviously not involved in the AFL system.

The question i ask is "do all players in the AFL recieve the same treatment." Does anyone know the answer to this.

West Ham just signed a 21yo from Senegal i am really hoping he settles into East London well, we paid $7 million for him!

[JK]

Fair question I reckon WHUFC .. So long as all talented young footballers with ability/potential are given all the help possible by the AFL and it's clubs, then there shouldn't be an issue.

I for one have no idea whether they are, and I doubt many do .. Let's just hope it's the case.

[HH3]

Interesting the AFL was very vocal in its support and caring of Liam Jurrah meanwhile very different opinions for the Jesse Stringer incident.

I was thinking the same thing. In no way do I condone what Jesse Stringer is thought to have done, but Id say attacking someone with a machete is much more serious. Jurrah not only got to return to play for Melbourne, he got ads on Channel 7 building up his return game...