#34 - Luamon Lual

They were absolutely there on FB ( I’m tipping other team’s supporters) admin were pretty quick to delete them as they arrived, even my Mum saw one!

So what does his support system look like?
Who is he living with? Is his dad moving down from Warrnambool?

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He is bigger and just as fast as Bobby Hill I reckon

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Probably salty bulldogs supporters and they are notoriously bad

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Well Mate, after the referendum we know 70% of our Nation are racist turds, some of them would know how to do social media.

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Yeah if so that’s bad
I would expect it on Twitter, the anonymity makes people into disgusting trolls

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Genuine question/thought

I’m thrilled we picked up this young fella, however I’m also doing some basic maths in my head and the only Sudanese player who I can recall having made a successful career is Aliir.

Are there enough off-field supports in place to help an 18 year old non-Indigenous person from a African background to integrate and be able to fully immerse into AFL lifestyle?

I know we do a lot for Indigenous kids but what about Africans/Asian/Arab etc?
I can’t recall the last fully SE Asian or Indian player, apart from Lin Jong?
Many Sudanese don’t seem to make it, not from a lack of talent. Mac Andrew is still in the system but for a Top 5 pick he’s done nothing. And had off field issues. Majak Daw was physically insanely gifted but also seemed to have off field issues and couldn’t get a consistent shot because his on-field performance was often lacking.
There’s obviously a lot of personal responsibility eg don’t drink drive or break the law, it’s your choice
But what I’m saying is, for a Black kid surrounded by mostly white Aussie staff, Aussie trainers, who’s not Aboriginal, I’m really hoping we do enough to make them feel like they’re not isolated and getting thrown to the wolves with unrealistic expectations, or even poorly communicated expectations.

Like for Mac Andrew, is he better off being away from the Sudanese community up on the GC? or would he be better with his family? I don’t know,I can see pros and cons with both. Maybe if his family/community doesn’t prioritise athletic lifestyle then it could be a negative. But on the flip side, feeling like a black sheep (no pun intended) in Queensland would be very isolating.

I just really hope the club gets around this young fella and makes him feel loved and encouraged and like he belongs, and also gives him the right level of pressure and tools to live the life of an elite athlete.

Nervous but excited, huge potential in this kid.

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Mabior Chol?

Yes Mabior and CJ too but both are still fringe players. Aliir is a genuine star. The only one I can recall from Sudanese background

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Academies exist to expand the pool of talent and expand the pool of people interested in AFL. They’re a little bit to reduce go-home for northern clubs.

Nothing else.

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Changkuoth Jiath Born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents.

Im all for providing additional support for players who come from diverse backgrounds but it’s important to keep in mind he was born in Australia. His parents migrated here before he was born, he’s as Australian as I am.

He’s grown up in the same football club culture as every other kid who was drafted, the exact same one as the Stevens kid Geelong drafted.

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And this is where the issues begin.

Sometimes we are told treat them all the same and other times we are told they need to have special consideration.

The simple fact is he is being racially vilified on line. So he doesn’t exactly grow up like the average Australian despite being born here.

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The AFL has funded the development of the academies and the players it has produced. 100’s of millions pumped into northern states in the last 10 years.

There is no reason to effectively make them auto selections for those teams. Especially swans and Lions academy selections. They should be made available to all clubs.

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that’s very true

I once asked a girl of African decent on tinder if she ever had experienced racism in Australia (she was born here) and she said not once. Said she had essentially the same childhood as her white friends so its entirely possible he grew up like an average Australian up to this point in his life. Moving forward? Nothing about being an AFL is average. The good, the bad and the ugly

Might need to work on your pickup lines :joy:

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Ep 3

Interesting chat with manager around Dons (and other) interest.

I assume the last ep will culminate on draft night. There was a camera there.

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Essendon was mentioned first of the interested clubs. He obviously wasn’t keen to move interstate, because Petracca’s brother (the agent) said there were only two interstate clubs showing interest and then said, “which is good” (or similar).

Looks exaclty like Julian :smile: