The AFL takes a lot of pride in its status as the most entrenched of the football codes. But with the major drafts over for another year, I have been left wondering if it can truly lay claim to this status.
Clay Cameron was the only Queensland player selected in the 2012 national draft, as a Gold Coast zone selection, while no New South Wales players got lucky on November 22.
The numbers are better in the rookie draft, but it’s still been downhill since 2009, when nine Queenslanders were selected in the national draft.
Broadbeach’s Andrew Boston, who was a runaway winner of the 2012 NEAFL Northern rising star and an Under-18 All-Australian, was overlooked, along with the rest of the northern talent.
Boston and Northern Territory gun Jake Neade were the only two U-18 All-Australians this year from the northern states, with all the starting players from Victoria (nine), South Australia (six) and Western Australia (three). And yet, Boston still went through to the rookie draft.
Three of the NT Thunder’s under-18 national championship side were taken either in the mini-draft or the main draft, with Neade (Port Adelaide), Jed Anderson (Hawthorn) and Dom Barry (Melbourne) making the grade.
Of the All-Australians eligible for the draft, Boston was the only one without an AFL home on November 22.
AFL Queensland Academies manager Mark Browning says he’s not worried about the lack of Queenslanders picked up, and I understand a lot of this is cyclical. However, when the AFL has put as much effort into promoting Queensland and NSW as development grounds, it’s a concern that talent is either not there or being overlooked.
For the numbers to change, the AFL needs to focus on more than just engaging people in these markets. This is about engaging these markets with the rest of the nation.
Ignoring for a second the fact that participation numbers in Western Sydney may not be entirely accurate, the game is growing in popularity in the fledgling areas due to the AFL’s work at increasing the profile of the game there.
However, the talent that non-AFL states possess seems to be routinely missed by the traditional powerhouses.
And by continuing to offer less exposure to these states, this will not change.
Becoming a national game is about more than just plonking teams where AFL fans are in the minority, it’s about creating a valid alternative in terms of development and rising talent.
The more players from these states that receive a chance to play in the AFL and the more exposure the NEAFL and NTFL competitions receive, the better the game will be at becoming truly national.
The creation of the NEAFL conferences in 2010 was crucial to the development, but if they do not receive exposure on a national level then they will continue to suffer.
Allowing these sides an even keel in the Foxtel Cup is important for this. In a bid to avoid blowouts, the Foxtel Cup will include two SANFL sides in 2013, while the NEAFL qualifiers will need to fight it out for the final two spots in the competition.
This is despite the fact that plenty of non-NEAFL sides have been on the wrong end of blowouts and the inaugural winners, the NT Thunder, were a NEAFL side.
With Foxtel Cup matches to air in primetime on Fox Footy, the northern states are once again being robbed of the exposure they need.
If the AFL wants the game to grow, it needs to showcase the emerging markets to the wider AFL community, not just push the game on unexplored territories.
Twitter: @bethknewman
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
I bet Sir Alex Ferguson does know but doesn't care ;) The strange thing about other code's luminaries' relationship to the AFL is that for all intents and purposes they do what the Melburnians do when in Melbourne! So for all the the whole world laughs at the AFL rhetoric, ultimately those who really count in sporting success are actually diplomatic about it...could teach some of those here a thing or two!
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
But why do you think a whole lot more people (the Chinese not so much) think Soccer is the best by virtue of the fact that a whole lot more people (the Chinese and Americans not so much) think Soccer is the best sport in the world. I see your point about quality over quantity but unless you're anti-Capitalist (it's alright you can speak your mind about that here) the system we all to lesser or greater extent gain from stands for the same thing. While it's a big leap it may well be that Soccer is the forerunner of Capitalism itself...that would hold true to Argentina and to a lesser extent the rest of South America which following the arrival of Soccer transitioned from a pseudo-feudalism to liberal-market economies.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Fair enough Harry. I'm obviously an AFL fan first & foremost, but I can appreciate League & Football as well. Just don't see the point in unprovoked bagging for the sake of it. I must concede that Bog Snorkeling $ Bulgarian Rat Strangling were pretty good examples. Although Bog Snorkeling is still strictly amateur at this stage.
Harry
Guest
Floyd & brewski , simmo was using humour to take the Mickey out of you afl zealots. Lighten up, I thought it was very funny. By the way: how can Sheedy front up at Man U after the way he bagged soccer as a game a few years ago ? I bet Sir Alex wasn't aware of that little rant .
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I don't know about you blokes, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that this Simmo fellow hates Australian Football's guts. Call it intuition, or whatever you like, but If you read between the lines, there's a hint of disapproval lurking there. Might be nothing, but I reckon I sense somethings not quite right.
clipper
Guest
Simmo - what is the point you're trying to make? Sure - Bog snorkelling, boot throwing, league etc aren't known outside 2 or three countries, even if the all have a world cup, but like Aussie Rules, they all have passionate followers - just because a sport is well known internationally, does not mean it is a better sport than the ones mentioned. I don't like the sound of Bulgarian rat strangling - could be dangerous (and not too pleasant for the rats)
Brewski
Guest
I have seen bog snorkeling on tele, i would probably have a go. Mind you though i have a question for Simmo. Q, Does simmo have issues ? A) Yes, pretty big ones B) Yes, massive. C) Yes, but he is also a fruit loop.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
(c) Bulgarian rat strangling? Jeez, I dunno genius, why don't you enlighten us all?
simmo green
Guest
Q: In what code do you get to represent once cockroach infested cafe strip against a grimy inner city suburb best known for overpriced pizzas and celebrity gangsters? Too hard? OK Q: In what code do u get to represent a re-located inner city suburb of Melbourne against another re-located inner city suburb of Melbourne? Still don't know? OK Q: In which code can you play for colonial outposts best known for shark attacks and peculiar nightlife? Having trouble? OK Q: Which is the least known sport in the universe? a) Bog snorkelling b) AFL c) Bulgarian rat strangling
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Wow!!! That makes you a winner, Punter!!
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Obvious code warrior is obvious.
simmo green
Guest
Wow, sensitive are we editors? Won't publish anything that provides a true perspective of the AFL? Can't deal with the reality that it's a nothing sport? You need to man up and allow a little free speech
Harry
Guest
Kevin is delusional. Aussie rules will never be well known in Europe or anywhere overseas. It's a big game in half of a small country, nothing more ,nothing less.
Redb
Roar Guru
http://www.aflvic.com.au/index.php?id=14&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1570&tx_ttnews[backPid]=4&cHash=1ec988a2e9 Case in point. Footy growing strongly in its heartland.
TW
Guest
This posting follows on from the comments above from Kevin Sheedy about the lack of genuine interest in International footy at most levels of the AFL. Seven AFL clubs travelled to the USA for altitude training this year- Only one -St Kilda had any contact with local aussie rules players while over there. Here is article from the USAFL Website about that meeting. http://www.usafl.com/news/2012/12/11/revolution-treated-saints
Redb
Roar Guru
Well yes it is a free world, perhaps you can talk your soccer zealouts around.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Always takes a lot of work to get a proper AFL footballer; you can get role players easy enough, players who are serviceable in KPPs or the Ruck courtesy of their athleticism but simple athleticism is only a small part of what you need to be a successful midfielder.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
More relevant - NHL's experience. Ice Hockey has pro leagues in many nations around the world, but the NHL's particular expansions into the south of the US have been very mixed results. However, some took hold, others didn't and ended up being rebased in Canada. So go in and try it on, see what works, give things a chance to grow but know when to cut your losses. But the big thing is that whether the commercial aspect succeeds or fails they can still grow the talent pool as they go.
Punter
Guest
It's a free world Redb, if you had seen one of my posts, I thanked TC for his expertise.
Pete
Guest
You must be using Apple Maps if you think the southern half of NSW is AFL country...