After spending a fortnight in New Zealand with the AFL’s elite junior footballers it has been interesting to see two aspects of the league’s future starting to take shape.
The Australian Institute of Sport has two AFL academies. Level Two players are those eligible for this year’s draft.
The Level One boys who travelled with us are two years younger, picked from the under-16 championships.
This means we get the best 30 kids in that age group coming through. They’re put through three or four different camps, to learn about the requirements for high performance.
It’s a good introduction to get their heads around what it takes to be involved at AFL level.
The New Zealand trip is one of the big challenges for the young guys. They do things like trudge 16 kilometres over a mountain, handle their recovery, and maintain their training in between some time to relax and see the sights.
Their other challenge is that you throw together 30 guys from all over the country, and they’re expected to get along and understand each other from the outset. They need to, because at the end of the trip they play the New Zealand national team.
They know that’s ultimately where they’re judged, with recruiters coming to see the game.
Some of this year’s New Zealand team members play at various levels in Australia, but most are local residents. That’s the purpose, for them to start growing their own players within the country, and the match was pleasing from that aspect, with some good colour on show.
The other movement in New Zealand is that in 2013 St Kilda will play Sydney in an ANZAC Day clash over there. The Saints were there at the same time as us to pump up the game.
There was certainly a lot of engagement from the public with the Saints players, and you just got that sense that the game will sell out. Not only will Australians travel over, but I’m confident a lot of Wellington people will come too.
As early as 1908 New Zealand and Australian teams played AFL games against each other, but there hasn’t been much trans-Tasman action since. With the growth of Auskick in New Zealand, a game for premiership points could be a real positive.
Of course there’ll be sceptics about AFL’s future in New Zealand. No-one is expecting the sport to take on rugby, but early signs are positive.
Hawthorn are the frontrunners, with three young Kiwi players already signed to International Scholarships. Once guys like these succeed, I’ve no doubt the interest and the options will improve. Like the Irish experiment, recruiters will be close behind.
It’s all part of a long-term effort to grow the game around the world. Overseas recruits have three or four years of work ahead of them just on reading the play, the flow of the game, ball-in-hand skills.
Athletically they’ve probably got everyone on an AFL list covered, but lack the natural aspects. Given the chance to start at a younger age, they could come here a lot more comfortably.
Another 15 or 20 years, and we might start seeing the benefits.
That’s not to take away from tradition. The sport is only going to improve here in Australia. Just look at the skills of the young guys today. They’re at a different level than when I was in their place.
But a lot of things are different now. The AIS scholarships are about personal standards, not just training standards. The motto of coaches Chris Johnson and Michael O’Loughlin is ‘Building better players, better people.’
The New Zealand trip is good to show the boys something outside Australia. The Level Two boys also travel to Europe, visit Gallipoli, and discuss our involvement in wars. We want to give them the broader education to set themselves a high standard.
You need talent and skill, but also to hold yourself in the highest regard, and hold your teammates in the same way. You need to present yourself in a fashion that allows you to succeed on a daily basis. At AFL level you’re judged 24/7.
For myself, this personal development is the most pleasing aspect. Players get guidance from Glenn Jakovich, Matthew Lloyd, Brad Ottens, and Kennelly, premiership players who achieved so much throughout their careers.
It’s a great experience for all of us to have an impact on the next batch of potential players, and build relationships that will hopefully continue through drafting and a career.
If they need anything, they’ve got people to call. And hopefully over time more of these young players will come from overseas, starting with New Zealand.
In both cases, the future looks bright.
AFL champion Brad Johnson retired after the 2010 season, and has moved into a coaching role at the club he captained and called home: the Western Bulldogs. His first column for The Roar is today.
Brewski
Guest
@TW, quite impressed with the Kiwis actually, they can play some football, their attack on the ball, teamwork and evasive skills are pretty good, rugby background would no doubt help with this, but in general bar a few players, the kicking skills are a bit agricultural. That will improve, looks like quite of Kiwis could play at a decent level, not talking AFL but good country of high amatuers. All good.
TW
Guest
Here is a complete video only of the recent AIS V NZ Hawks match held in Wellington courtesy of the AFLNZ web site. When the Anthems were being played it highlighted how far the game has come over there from humble beginnings. This match was the second time the teams have met and presumably the series will continue with the Hawks getting a bit closer each time. Link-- http://aflnz.co.nz/video-nz-hawks-vs-ais-afl-academy-2013/ Remember the famous words from a past political leader along the lines of -- A long journey begins with one step.
Brewski
Guest
http://matangitonga.to/2013/02/07/siope-ngata-recruited-afl-hawthorn-hawks Tongan Newspaper.
sue
Guest
Why will the novelty wear off, Its not as as if the cost of travelling to NZ is expensive.
TW
Guest
Glad to see you taking a very very close personal almost microscopic interest in our international game. Change of topic but expansion for GWS which is mentioned in above post. GWS membership now 9102 on their web site - will easily beat last years total of over 10,000. Early days yet for 2013 GWS juniors who play on Sundays now but if this junior club is any guide numbers up from 100 in the club in 2012 to the expected 150 this year. There is a photo in the link of some of the kids who reflect the changing landscape in Australia due to immigration.Great to see but then our game has always appealed to all in the community. http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/2013-02-03/mighty-concord-giants
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Like.
Dale
Guest
As an ex Aussie living in Auckland, I'll be at the game on Anzac Day. It's a hell of a lot cheaper to fly to Wellington than to Melbourne to get my footy fix. I do hope it's a sell out and we can show all the kiwis what a great game AFL is :)
Redb
Roar Guru
You didn't make your point until now. Heard of David Rodan? How about Nic Naitinui? Or Aaron Edwards? your wrong they can play AFL.
allblackfan
Guest
redb, you still fail to grasp the main point. AFL is more of an aerobic sport. Polynesians are physically not built for such activity (there's a guy who was at Dunedin Uni a few years back who did his PHd thesis on this). There may be exceptions but that is the rule. (I'm an islander BTW). That's why you don't see Islanders take part in 10,000m races or marathons. All this has been discussed before. Whether Tatupu lasts the distance remains to be seen. He is, I beliieve, Tongan and Tongans are among, if not are, the biggest race on earth. However, money is money these days.
Expat1
Roar Rookie
Amazing. Only country on earth where people take to chat rooms to slate other codes. We should be celebrating the fact that a small country has a thriving indigenous football code not pulling to down because it's not a major international sport. How boring the world would be if eveyone followed one sport. Those who like ther McDonald and Starubucks might but sporting diversity is surely a good thing
Emric
Guest
The most glaring theme which comes out of the AFL supporters group is this arrogance which makes them think New Zealand is ripe for "conversion"
TC
Guest
I'm not sure if anyone in the AFL speaks French.
Carl
Guest
Yeah I've heard of Europe, watched Italy beat France in front of 60,000 in the weekend, then England beat Scotland, 80,000. And what was the other one??? Ireland vs Wales, in front of 70,000 give or take...this is all rugby union of course, AFL would be lucky to get double digit crowds in Europe.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
AFLNZ are reporting Brock Messenger from Auckland got a 15 in the beep test. Top score in last years AFL draft combine was a 15.1 Ive seen tape of him at the under-18s kd's tough and can play footy. Add that kind of endurance, and you've got a prospect.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Nzmate, Absolutely. If you want to see how the AFL clubs are dealing with those issues, look at this http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2013-01-09/hawks-commit-to-shem-tatupu Oh, and the bunny in this isnt rugby, league or soccer ... just like in Australia, its basketball, because unless you make it to the Big Show in the NBA, the money is pretty poor for Tall Blacks.
nzmate
Guest
i agree Ian, and i know todays youth are lured by $ but it is quite a big leap for someone to leave everything behind to try a game they may have never played or in some cases seen. Without a firm base from which to work and attract top-talent with a genuine interest in the game - im unsure whether this is much of a strategy for the AFL to pin there hopes to. Beyond that the most gifted athletes would (in most cases) have been identified though mainstream sports most likely rugby, league and possibly soccer. But i don't doubt several kids will follow those opportunities but it certainly wont be in large numbers.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Diablo, You're entitled to that opinion. But when the flag was there to be won, the Sydney coaching staff subbed off Mumford and left the guy who earned his spurs against the All Blacks on the paddock.
mick h
Guest
no it is not if an afl player tests positive to cocain he is given another chance in the nrl they are suspended immediately
Brewski
Guest
Good article and welcome Brad, must admit NZ has suprised me a bit, if Hawthorn continue to sign Kiwis, i wonder how long before other clubs can Rookie list draft them etc, or does Hawthorn get first option.
The Blackness
Guest
Never happening, Dream on. AFL in NZ is a expat game, kiwis don't play it.