PhilH wrote:Re Summerton .... it is not so surprising one of the younger kids gets a rest.
In an interview with Crows coach Heath Younie on FIVEE aa SANFL Show in 2014 he mentioned under the new structure many of their younger kids just recruited to the club were getting "bashed around" by having to start their AFL journey at SANFL league level and they had to manage their game time until they became physically stronger.
Worth remembering that under the old system, the host clubs would send AFL-listed players to the reserves when necessary. Back then the AFL clubs - and particularly the smears - would grizzle that their players needed to be fielded in the league ranks for their own development, and would force these players to transfer club in order to achieve this.