I prefer to give an all encompassing analysis but you are more than welcome to counter it from your perspective.
Adam definitely has some AFL traits. If we picked him up I would be excited by what he does well, whilst at the same time, I’d be quietly concerned that at his age he should be more consistent, have a stronger body and a better tank.
A lot of guys from Indigenous backgrounds just need to be given opportunity to show what they have to offer in an elite environment.
Most of them don’t come from well resourced, elite pathways with a wealth of resources and they certainly don’t have access to the same facilties that are taken for granted in urban/suburban environments.
The amount of development most of these guys still have in them before they get to a professional environment is insane.
I would imagine cost comes into it. You can’t just pluck these guys out of NT and then give them little support outside of football. I can’t imagine the VFL clubs have the financial and non-financial resources to provide them the support network that would be needed for most of them with a move from NT to Melbourne.
To an extent, but a kid playing colts in the WAFL and SANFL have been exposed to higher level environments so generally those things can be more developed.
When accounting the TAC and colts I’m always looking out for under the radar talent, the little things that get hidden by the numbers. Eg, that kid on the half back flank that’s playing there because Johnny McFirst Round plays his spot, what scope for midfield does he have. With the NTFL kids it’s totally down to what’s the scope for refining the raw ability of a certain kid, those lads tend to have a shorter shelf life if things don’t click quickly either on field or off. What is that kids bread winner, what’s his skill that will translate immediately in the vfl/AFL that will show the powers that be that he’s worth the investment. Is it kicking? Goal sense? Lateral quickness? How developed is that skill already?
I’m just wrapt someone else is watching NT footy like I do!
Just on Adam, I’d be banking that better that a better tank stronger body which he would get just by virtue of a professional environment would go a long way solving the consistency issue you’re seeing.
Round 6 was a forgettable game for Tiwi and didn’t do much to elevate the prospects of Jefferey Simon.
Simon, as you may be aware is perhaps our most realistic chance of being recruited from our academy listed players. He is clean, a beautiful kick and has great vision. Unfortunately, he is very thin, short and goes missing too often. This characterisation summed up his game which featured a wonderful couple of minutes in the second quarter where he kicked a beautiful running goal from 45m out and then seconds later provided a piercing goal assist for a teammate. Too bad he didn’t do much else.
Adam Tippa had an even poorer game. Besides one delightful kick and a good tackle, Adam hardly touched the ball. To make matters worse, his direct opponent did. To top it all off he was forced to play deep forward for the latter part of the game after getting cramp in the 12th minute of the third quarter.
I get the feeling that we wont be signing any of our NGA’s this year. I feel like this is unbelievably sad, as these kids have incredible elite raw skill that needs to be harnessed. I refuse to believe that we are not trying to get them to improve their body shape, tank and playing habits, but our NGA have reaped us nothing compared to other sides. This cannot go on. More time, coaching and money needs to be directed to this area. I’m sick of hearing about how the Dogs have a number 1 prospect next year and how the Pies and Roos got beauties from the system last year. We must not fall behind.
I remember hearing Dermott Brereton talking about his days as a Hawks board member. He said that the Hawks instituted a practice that they would guarantee that one of their Box Hill players would be added to the rookie list every year. As a result the best state league prospects would audition every year for a prized spot on the Box Hill list.
Is it time for the club to announce that they will list at least one of their NGA prospects every year to at least the category b rookie list? This will send the message to the Jeff Simon’s of this world that we are invested big time, so now it’s over to you.
Then it is a free hit for guarenteeing selection after putting in a ton of development work, we should be stacking our VFL with a solid pipeline of these guys to see if we can turn them into AFL footballers. A pathway might be one of the following options.
NGA at 16/17 - Quality player who is drafted by the club in their draft year.
NGA at 16/17 - Rookie selection in their draft year
NGA at 16.17 - undrafted, VFL for 1-3 years, drafted as a ND or Rookie selection.
NGA at 16/17 - not draft worthy, VFL 2nd for a couple of years, VFL for 1-3 years, draft as a ND/rookie.
NGA as a mature age player - VFL/VFL 2nds for 1-3 years, draft as a ND/Rookie.
Either way the priority access ensure the deveopment effort is not wasted and we get the player we invested in.
No, they only stay eligible for a year, even then it requires AFL approval.
15.9 Over Age NGA Players
If a Qualified NGA Player is not included on a Club’s Primary List or Rookie List after attaining draft eligibility age, a Club may retain the Qualified NGA Player in the Football Year following the year they attain draft eligibility age for a period of one year in the Club’s Next Generation Academy, provided such Qualified NGA Player attends any screening/testing as directed by the AFL (including the AFL Combine), has previously nominated for the National Draft but has not been selected in any Draft and the General Counsel has granted his approval.