Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick has defended the AFL draft rules as they apply to northern academies as vital for the growth of the game after southern state disquiet.
Rising Suns Academy products Ethan Read, Will Graham, Jed Walter and Jake Rogers – all in the top 40 draft picks – were snapped up by the Suns in the first round of the draft and other clubs had no look in.
Under current rules, clubs outside of Queensland and NSW cannot stop rivals from poaching their Next Generation Academy (NGA) players if a bid is placed inside the first 40 draft picks.
The northern clubs are not restricted and are able to match a bid on their Academy players no matter where it comes on draft night.
This has caused angst outside of NSW and Queensland but Hardwick had no time for the naysayers and backed the system as it stands.
“I know there are always going to be people who will try and bring it down but for the greater good of the game it is an incredibly important part of the game moving forward,” Hardwick said of the current rules.
“I am really excited about those four players and getting to show the greater Australian population what those kids can do.
“To grow the game if we want this sport, which it is in my opinion, to be the greatest sport within Australia we have got to continue to grow it in the northern markets.”
Hardwick was asked about the “chat” from clubs outside of the northern states about the Suns getting an unfair advantage from the current system, but the coach said the rules as they stood should be cause for “a celebration”.
“These four kids might not be in the AFL system without the Academy. The investment under (Suns Academy coach) Jarrod Cotton and his team is incredible with the time and effort they put into it,” he said.
“To have four kids that have primarily grown up here to play our great game is incredibly important to the success of the AFL in general.”
Damien Hardwick. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Hardwick said he hoped all four would push for a spot in the side to play Richmond in round one next year.
He said it was “hard to say” whether that would be the case after one day of pre-season training.
“We have had one session and some guys have had a limited preparation,” he said.
“Jed and Jake are probably a little bit further back at this stage with injury. From our point of view, we won’t put a ceiling on these guys.
“If they put their hand up and are in the best 22 they are in the best 22.
“They have all got incredible talent and we are incredibly lucky to have them at our footy club to make it better.”
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
That's the case with any team. Look at the number of supporters that have jumped off the tiger and Hawthorn trains and how many have suddenly remembered they are Collingwood supporters.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
If there is no home ground advantage playing the GF at the MCG then I'm sure all the MCG based teams would be happy to play the GF at Kardinia park. :happy:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've ben 3x to the redevelopment and l like the experience. The viewing experience is fabulous. And the GC crowd is fun but nowhere near as intense as Adelaide.
Mat
Roar Rookie
Atmosphere is not great but everything else about it is top notch. If we can get consistent 20k+ attendance and a bit of noice then it's easily one of the best game-day experiences outside of the big stadiums.
Mat
Roar Rookie
Mabior was my sons favourite Suns player so we're both a bit bummed. He's such a frustrating player to watch. When he wants to be, he's an athletic marvel capable of taking any type of mark, pressure defenders and be an very good forward. Problem is, most of the time he doesn't feel like it. It probably works with the right types of team-first players around him but often times it doesn't. I think the Suns coaching staff grew tired of it and he wasn't willing to change. Perhaps the Hawks can get more consistency out of him but given he's on a long-term deal, I doubt he's going to change much if at all. You'll probably get 30-40 goals out of him but equally I wouldn't be suprised if he finishes the season in the 2's.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It is a good stadium, true.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Appreciate the good tips. I will definitely be going to numerous matches including the early match against the Crows. But I am forever a hard arse Hawks man so the Suns are going to have to accept my 2nd team allegiance. What's your thoughts on Mabior Chol's move south?
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
Let’s be honest, Richmond are probably targeting Cadman right now. But will have less chance of snagging Walter. The storm in a tea cup is whipped up by SEN etc because they don’t like to really analyse the actual footy anymore. If Tiges were to get Walter, will there be an outrage about further pillaging of Northern states?!
Mat
Roar Rookie
Howdy soon-to-be neighbour. Time to start following the Suns I say. From runaway bay you're about a 15-20min drive to Nerang station from where you catch a 5min free event bus to HBS. HBS itself is one of the most family friendly stadiums in Australia so bring the fam along with you. Have a kick around on the Suns practice oval prior to the game and enjoy kick to kick after the game in the beautiful QLD summer nights. Only pro tip is to not sit in the eastern stands facing west or you'll come home with a soaked shirt and a fresh tan.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've never heard of it. I loved mettwurst when younger. Not so much now
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Home of donkey salami.
Frodo
Roar Rookie
That'd be another gift to GC from the AFL.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
I think it is now second and third. Melbourne is now bigger than Sydney.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
That argument is well worn. If that was the case, Melbourne would have won 20 AFL/VFL Premierships in the past 50 years not 1 - just a crock. :shocked:
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
The real crux of the matter is that they don't have the size of the junior leagues that they have in Melb, Adelaide, Perth etc. A young boy growing up in Geelong sees football stars all over the media & can not wait to play weekend footy as soon as he is old enough. This is not the case for a young boy in Burleigh Heads were Rugby League gets most of the coverage. I agree that it should be monitored by the AFL. Remember in 2016, the Swans lost the COLA due to the fact that they were very competitive and had a very strong playing roster. Losing that really hasn't resulted in them being uncompetitive.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Rugby League had a similar scenario with Wally Lewis in the 80s. He dominated State of Origin, but being the most famous man in Qld, he probably earnt more income with large advertising contracts etc. Many League fans still query if he could have maintained that Origin standard if he had to play against the bigger & better players week in week out season after season. Before Origin, NSWRL played against against QRL with the NSWRL having an 80% winning ratio so there is no doubt there was quite a disparity between the two comps. Without the Origin he would have had to come to Sydney to earn top dollar.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He didn't want to go. He was offered $200k just to sign, not play, and then turned the equivalent of $400k and still he refused. ------- In the 80s there was the Retention Scheme that basically paid the best SA players to stay. Aish and McIntosh were two who never left SA for the same reason.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Inform me, why didn't he come to the VFL? I hear he had plenty of offers.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Roosters are ok. They had Barrie Robran. The Very Best.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Diesel 307. 5.5/100k around town 4.4 on the highway