The northern academies, designed to attract and nurture young players from the non-football states, have garnered much controversy since their introduction several years ago – mostly centred around the quality of the players being produced, and their draft value.
The AFL’s website states that the academies “are aimed at increasing the opportunities for young people in NSW and Queensland to learn about and play the game of Australian rules football.
“The four northern AFL clubs are incentivised through draft concessions for their role in growing the Australian Rules talent pool in NSW and Queensland, and ultimately strengthening the state and community leagues in those states.”
In that regard, the initiative has been a remarkable success.
Sydney youngsters Callum Mills and Isaac Heeney are the two most successful products of the system, but Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Greater Western Sydney have also reaped the benefits.
Callum Mills (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
The academies are an important part of our game, as the continued focus on attracting and developing young players who would otherwise have likely turned to different sports expands reach and popularity.
However, the itinerant nature of football coaching – where former players often move interstate for their chance to join the coaching ranks – has thrown up another permutation to the mix: young players who are eligible to be drafted under both the father-son rule, and the academy system.
Two players in particular fit this year – Nick Blakey, son of former North Melbourne and Brisbane player John, who is eligible to join both clubs under the father-son rule, but is also eligible for Sydney’s academy, given he has lived there for the past 12 years, and John is on the coaching panel.
Likewise, Bailey Scott, son of former Geelong and North Melbourne player Robert, is eligible to join those two clubs as well as the Gold Coast as an academy selection, having lived there since he was nine.
This raises questions over the purpose of the academies, the sanctity of the father-son rule, and the AFL’s intentions in this space.
Blakey and Scott are representative of a wider issue – they are players who, due to their fathers’ careers, have been around football since a young age, and would have almost undoubtedly been playing it regardless of whether they had moved interstate or not. The fact that they are now eligible for Sydney and Gold Coast goes against the academies’ founding principle of growing the talent pool in non-traditional states – it has not grown the talent pool, merely found itself the beneficiary of two, young, Victorian footballers.
Yes, the Suns and Swans have played an important part in developing the pair (Blakey is widely viewed as a top-five selection, while Scott looks a likely mid-range prospect; both are members of the AFL Academy squad), but this would likely have been the case had they been playing in the TAC Cup for their local clubs.
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Having grown up in their respective zones, they obviously have an affinity with those cities and clubs, but I’m sure there is also a connection with the clubs for which their fathers played.
The father-son rule has long been a way for clubs – based on their own good fortune – to acquire talented players at discounted rates, while preserving club connections, something valued by fans. It’s one of the unique and treasured tenets – or quirks, if you like – of our game.
Clubs should be comfortable in the knowledge that traditional connections will continue under the system, and have likely been planning for several years for these players to join their club in the future. The fact that this system can be over-ridden by the academies seems to go against the AFL’s oft-stated tenet that the father-son system is an intrinsic part of our game.
Blakey and Scott are the first players to be faced with this scenario, but will most likely not be the last, which is why this issue needs to be addressed now – to provide certainty for both the academy and father-son clubs.
Perhaps one solution could be that where players are eligible to be drafted to a club under the father-son rule, they are then not eligible for the academy system.
However, if the current situation is more in line with its views, then it needs to clarify or possibly change its definition of the purpose of club academies.
Blakey has already made his choice of club, nominating the Swans last week, and it’s likely that Scott will nominate Gold Coast. I don’t begrudge either their choices – they are merely doing what the system allows.
However, the way the system currently operates lacks clarity, and calls into question the value of something we have always held dear.
Stewie
Guest
"...have been around football since a young age, and would have almost undoubtedly been playing it regardless of whether they had moved interstate or not." "but this would likely have been the case had they been playing in the TAC Cup for their local clubs." Completely disagree with this, there is no TAC Cup in NSW or QLD, or even an equivalent standard of pre-draft professional football. If Blakey or Scott grew up in NSW or QLD without the academy structure there, it's far less likely they'd be drafted or play professional football at all. Not unless they went down the boarding school route, which I know a few boys have done at St Pat's College in Ballarat. And before the Allies side (which plays only a couple of games in TAC Cup anyway) is mentioned, the team is selected from an Academy series, which also includes Tasmania and NT teams.
Josh
Expert
Apparently North went to HQ about it a while ago - no doubt seeing in advance the Blakey situation - and they declined to consider changing the eligibility rules, so I doubt we'll see any further consideration on it unless maybe it happens to Collingwood and Eddie McGuire creates a media storm. Obviously from my perspective I wish it wasn't the way things are, but in the end if a player has the choice to come to you and chooses to go somewhere else then there's not too many other people you can point the finger at. We probably have enough on our hands in this draft trying to find the best way to make our access to Tarryn Thomas work, good luck to Nick at the Swans. What surprises me perhaps more than anything else is the tendency that kids coming into the system now have towards wanting to stay near home. I moved out of home and interstate when I was 16 and was really excited to be out on my own and away from family (not due to there being anything wrong my family, I just love independence) - but maybe I'm just a weirdo.
Davico
Roar Pro
Boo Hoo Heeney has made it clear on multiple occasions that if it was not for the Swans Academy he would not be playing AFL at all!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yeah righto kehaar I think it reflects common sense and professionalism What footballer goes into their career thinking their first priority is to destroy the entire remuneration structure by upending it?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
So we just lock in the top 4 or 5 teams to have a near monopoly on the comp every year? No thanks.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Yeah 13th, how are you not aware of Jason Carter?!
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I don't know how they'll snaffle Hill. They've got one pick in the first 3 or 4 rounds and a couple of academy kids to grab. Depending how things pan out, they might also have an option on one of the quality talks in this year's crop.
User
Roar Rookie
Brown came quite sometime after the merger.
albatross
Roar Pro
Thanks for the info Kris and Paul D. Reminds me a bit of the mindset of the farmed rabbits in Watership Down.
Perry Bridge
Guest
As far as Blakey and Scott juniors go - at least they got access to the high level talent development pathway and won't be lost to another code/sport. Whatever it takes. That they are still available to the father son system should they choose it - then that's probably enough. Marc Murphy was and chose not to go to the Lions - should the Lions have been able to force the issue? Meanwhile Jono Brown did opt to go to the Lions. Win some....lose some. Meanwhile North look set for a ripper from Tassie in Tarryn Thomas (NOTE here - make sure you google 'Tarryn' with 2 R's, not 'Taryn' which will direct you to an American porn star!!).
Seano
Roar Rookie
I may be wrong but I thought TO was referring to the Dad. If it’s the son then I agree with you he isn’t really Victorian.
Kris
Guest
Drafted after being cut by North.
Kris
Guest
They are at liberty to seek employment with another employer. Many employers don't give you a choice of where you are assigned to work.
AD
Guest
It already happened with Brett Chalmers back in the early 90s. He wanted to go to Collingwood, and told the other clubs he wouldn't play for anybody else. Ended up getting fined $30k. I guess saying you won't play for them at all isn't quite the same as saying you'd leave after your first contract is up, but would (or at least should be) close enough to be considered draft tampering IMO. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/01/09/the-tamper-affair-how-pies-lost-a-young-star/
Nev
Guest
Jonno Brown was a father son selection via Fitzroy
Maggie
Guest
But did you leave Victoria when you were three years old?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Your father-in-law is an Australian though. The 35 years pretty much seals the deal.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Not Really, I’ve been living in qld for 13 years but I’m Victorian. My father in law has lived in Australia for 35 years but he is still Vietnamese.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Martin Pike went pretty good.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Why should father son take precedence? Young Scott has grown up on the coast and wants to stay near his parents. That makes him like every kid who claims homesickness a few years in. More power to him i say.