Academy Watch
- Thread starter irel
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Harry is my lad, so happy to comment as best I can.
I don't think it was a travesty that he missed out, he had about 45 disposals in the first game of the state champs and pinged his hammy. He played on one leg for the next couple of games and went ok, but I would say it was generous that he was selected as a shadow based on his output over 4 days and I don't think its fair to say selectors 'got it wrong' based on what they would have seen.
He also broke his hand and pretty much hasn't played since, so probably couldn't have gone if he was selected anyway.
Not sure if I have rose coloured glasses or not, but certainly in normal circumstances he would be in the best half dozen for that age group from what I've seen. Better to have some setbacks now than when he is turning 18 though I guess.
Is anyone able to educate me as to why the Allies play as a team in the U18s against the other ‘major’ states (and obvs won the comp this year) but at U16 level the various Allies state / academies play as standalone teams in. Div 2 and hence don’t get to compete against the major states?
Miller1971
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in the u16s, QLD is split into Lions and Suns.
NSW is split into GWS and Swans, then you have Tassie and NT.
It's a better way to flush out all the talent in the northern states as they don't have the league below it for talent ID like the major footy states do, and if the Lions played Vic Metro for example, they would get absolutely thumped.
Once they get to u18s and Allies, the cream rises to the top and the talent has largely (not always) established themselves.
I'm not a big fan of the academies, but they still do a much better job of picking sides etc than the state schoolboy system, which is broken.
NSW is split into GWS and Swans, then you have Tassie and NT.
It's a better way to flush out all the talent in the northern states as they don't have the league below it for talent ID like the major footy states do, and if the Lions played Vic Metro for example, they would get absolutely thumped.
Once they get to u18s and Allies, the cream rises to the top and the talent has largely (not always) established themselves.
I'm not a big fan of the academies, but they still do a much better job of picking sides etc than the state schoolboy system, which is broken.
Is that a school competition? If so I have seen it posted in various threads that the Qld school AFL system is a complete shemozzle.
It's hard to know how old every kid in the u15 club competition is, because its u15.5 so some of the best players may well be 16 this year and ineligible. However on the weekend just gone, I noted some very strong players still playing club footy I had assumed would be in Ballarat.
Plus, at the carnival there was only one kid selected that isn't from SEQ. While the northern teams weren't strong, I noted some very very good players running around in a few of them, but hard when you're getting dusted by 80+ points to put your best foot forward. There is even a DD kid I know, who comes down to play club footy in Briabane who is better than at least half the selected side, but again they got smashed by 100 in pretty much every game they played, and he was the only decent kid they had so hard to notice him.
The one benefit they 'could' have derived from picking basically an SEQ team is preparation, as they could have had a bunch of sessions together. But they came together last Friday for the first time, 2 days before their first game. Not sure thats ideal prep!
Hope WA are just really strong, or they will improve a bit as they get to know each other.
Plus, at the carnival there was only one kid selected that isn't from SEQ. While the northern teams weren't strong, I noted some very very good players running around in a few of them, but hard when you're getting dusted by 80+ points to put your best foot forward. There is even a DD kid I know, who comes down to play club footy in Briabane who is better than at least half the selected side, but again they got smashed by 100 in pretty much every game they played, and he was the only decent kid they had so hard to notice him.
The one benefit they 'could' have derived from picking basically an SEQ team is preparation, as they could have had a bunch of sessions together. But they came together last Friday for the first time, 2 days before their first game. Not sure thats ideal prep!
Hope WA are just really strong, or they will improve a bit as they get to know each other.
Miller1971
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They trained on Thursday, not Friday.
Didn't know that was the only session they had though. Seems ridiculous, like they don't take the carnival seriously.
94-0 isn't great! Spare a thought for the forward-line sitting down there in Ballarat weather catching a cold.
Didn't know that was the only session they had though. Seems ridiculous, like they don't take the carnival seriously.
94-0 isn't great! Spare a thought for the forward-line sitting down there in Ballarat weather catching a cold.
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Or maybe, we need an Allies team at that level? Bit hard to organise, but.
Miller1971
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Almost as if the coach picked one random north queenslander to avoid running training sessions.
I've just watched the stream of a couple of games, its truly embarassing who they took and who they left at home now that they are out there actually playing.
Though that Jervis and Smith are both good players. (Suns again!)
I've just watched the stream of a couple of games, its truly embarassing who they took and who they left at home now that they are out there actually playing.
Though that Jervis and Smith are both good players. (Suns again!)
What a shame to waste the opportunity that a carnival like this offers...however leaving the whole thing in the hands of the education department (when basically nobody at least in public schools plays for their school anymore) seems like a recipe for disaster!
Miller1971
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It's just lazy.
You look at this years team.
South Coast - 9 players (Winners)
Sunshine Coast - 7 players (R/up) (Coach of the team also coaches this region
)
Met East - 6 players (3rd)
Met North - 2 players (4th)
Like they have just decided to use a formula to pick the side based on how teams finished. You win, you get the most, and then so on.
Met West were 5th, won 3 games by 100+ points and have nobody in there! Teams are seeded based on how their region perofrmed the year before, so you're behind the 8-ball before you arrive unless you're from one of the above 4 regions.
Can't tell me nobody from anywhere in North Queensland, Darling Downs or the entire Western Suburbs of Brisbane isn't good enough. They should speak to the regional coaches before the carnival even starts and create a watch list, maybe even speak to the academy about who they rate. By all means make your own decisions, but at least make them educated decisions.
Not going to name names, as its not fair on the kids - but there are 3 kids in there from Met East and at least 2 each from the two coastal teams who aren't even close to some of the lads who missed out. The Darling Downs team had a bunch of 12 year olds in it, and apparently had 26 at their selection trial, their best kid is miles better than half the selected side - but what chance does he have to show his talents?
You look at this years team.
South Coast - 9 players (Winners)
Sunshine Coast - 7 players (R/up) (Coach of the team also coaches this region
)Met East - 6 players (3rd)
Met North - 2 players (4th)
Like they have just decided to use a formula to pick the side based on how teams finished. You win, you get the most, and then so on.
Met West were 5th, won 3 games by 100+ points and have nobody in there! Teams are seeded based on how their region perofrmed the year before, so you're behind the 8-ball before you arrive unless you're from one of the above 4 regions.
Can't tell me nobody from anywhere in North Queensland, Darling Downs or the entire Western Suburbs of Brisbane isn't good enough. They should speak to the regional coaches before the carnival even starts and create a watch list, maybe even speak to the academy about who they rate. By all means make your own decisions, but at least make them educated decisions.
Not going to name names, as its not fair on the kids - but there are 3 kids in there from Met East and at least 2 each from the two coastal teams who aren't even close to some of the lads who missed out. The Darling Downs team had a bunch of 12 year olds in it, and apparently had 26 at their selection trial, their best kid is miles better than half the selected side - but what chance does he have to show his talents?
Selected to play against Victoria on August 13 in a trial match which will help determine selection for the U17 futures match on GF day.
Gilder looks jacked!
Sam Marshall from the Lions academy also in that side.
Jake Fazldeen (small forward) and Wyatt Greenaway (general defender) are two other players I have on my watch list from last years U16 team. Tom Fry (mid) and Alex Pope (mid) are two others, but have them a bit behind the other 5 afore mentioned players.
Fry was the Lions MVP from that u16 team last year. He is committed to Sherwood for 2024, good on him for being loyal to Mayne, but hed have played every week for us in the QAFL if he came this year.
Fazldeen has been hitting the scoreboard alot for Grange in the QAFL, he is a v good player.
Gilder has been a revelation this year. I've always rated him, but he has played every week in the QAFL Seniors, was best on ground in our win over Morningside a few weeks back, then the following week he was moved onto Lachie Henderson (who was giving us a bath) and he nullified him completely. First 3 or 4 games we played him on a wing, but the training wheels came off quickly and he is dominating down back. As the pic shows, he has also put on some good size!
Gillett has played the last 2 weeks, much harder for a teenage ruckman, but on the weekend he was very good, took about 7 contested marks and had 15 touches and we got dusted by 15 goals, so it was a good effort from a 17 year old ruckman in the circumstances.
Will Munro has also now been added to this side.
Fazldeen has been hitting the scoreboard alot for Grange in the QAFL, he is a v good player.
Gilder has been a revelation this year. I've always rated him, but he has played every week in the QAFL Seniors, was best on ground in our win over Morningside a few weeks back, then the following week he was moved onto Lachie Henderson (who was giving us a bath) and he nullified him completely. First 3 or 4 games we played him on a wing, but the training wheels came off quickly and he is dominating down back. As the pic shows, he has also put on some good size!
Gillett has played the last 2 weeks, much harder for a teenage ruckman, but on the weekend he was very good, took about 7 contested marks and had 15 touches and we got dusted by 15 goals, so it was a good effort from a 17 year old ruckman in the circumstances.
Will Munro has also now been added to this side.
Looking at the Suns players. Joe Kennedy is father son eligible to Brisbane.
Leo Lombard (small mid) and Caleb Nancarrow (ruck forward) were in last years U16 AA team. And Zanker-Close is rated by Suns fans (he's also this years draft).
Leo Lombard (small mid) and Caleb Nancarrow (ruck forward) were in last years U16 AA team. And Zanker-Close is rated by Suns fans (he's also this years draft).
