It’s not surprising that Gil fails to appreciate how life is different for kids who don’t attend $30,000+/year private schools.
They should just let the clubs run the junior pathways because it’s clear the Silverspoon-AFL-types don’t know how to develop anything other than their own property portfolios and future board prospects.
The AFL could (and probably will) invest $1billion into the women’s game and they’d still find a way to drive it into the ground.
Of course it’s a good thing for them. They’ve added them into the existing infrastructure of a talent pathway which has been the biggest producer of talent for years. We need to remember elite women’s footy by and large is in its infancy and they haven’t had these opportunities to realise and nurture talent they same way male programs have. However, at the cost of jeopardizing the male program is incredibly short sighted and I agree it could have been better spent on creating a better competition that legitimizes the talent they’re trying to develop.
This seems to be the opposite of virtue signalling, they are taking action.
Agree 100%
Don’t have any problem with it.
If it’s a choice between AFL money being spent on actual clubs (in state leagues or grass roots), or juniors’ clubs who’ve been around for 5 minutes, I’d prefer it go to the state league clubs.
I imagine 18s would be a cost sink.
NAB League will commence on March 27th
Have a real close look at those potential top 5 picks @THE_DON1
When is the fixture being released?
It has been released if you know where to look 
SANFL starting on Easter Thursday so should get a good look at the SA lads
One of the many talented midfielders in this years draft, was listed at 192cm last year and could be even taller now.
All potential midfield talent in the top 10
Campbell Chesser
Josh Sinn
Ben Hobbs
Tyler Sonsie 
Josh Rachele 
Braden Andrews
Nick Daicos 
Tyler Sonsie will do looks arrogant and will be prick in the middle
Tank for the sa kid.
He is a mix between Robbie Gray and Zac Butters so yep that works
Where in the top 10 you reckon?
Has that man child body look that will slot in straight away
Isn’t that blonde kid Ben Hobbs?
The name next to his photo on mine says Tyler Sonsie
More potential first round prospects
Ned Long
Josh Ward 
Luca Anderson (Brother of Noah) 
Lachlan Rankin
Tom Brown 
Tyreece Leiu
Cooper Hamilton
Blake Howes
Yep the name should come before the picture not after