With the MFC having by far the best indigenous list in the competition, it occurs to me there may be some ways where the whole of the AFL may be able to harness even further the unique sublime skills of our indigenous brothers. The AFL already has a much higher percentage of indigenous players than they are a percentage of the population (about 3% populations vs. about 15% of players). Whilst indigenous males seem to be uniquely suited to our great game, it is true many other sports are jealously eyeing off the success of the AFL in this direction, notably cricket, hockey, basketball, soccer and athletics. It has certainly helped the AFL in as much as they were the first code in the country to have a serious anti-racist policy which they rigorously enforced. Rugby league has suffered greatly from their racist/sexist culture which they seem unable to control (let alone it being played by just so many boguns.

What if the AFL took this one step further, and treated indigenous players fairly much as they do Aussie rules juniors in states where the AFL is not the major footy code i.e. each club is able to sign say 2 indigenous juniors each year at say 15, take responsibility for their football development, and if they are happy with them offer them contracts as 17 year olds just as the new clubs are doing with juniors now.. This has several affects:

1) it would encourage young indigenous males to take up Aussie rules in preference to other sports. indeed encourage them to take up sport at all;

2) the clubs would have a vested interest in helping their families who are often underprivileged in the upbringing of their children, while at the same time recognising the cultural sensitivities of this; and

3) clubs like the MFC who have an inclusive culture, very strong and developing links into the indigenous communities, and a stellar indigenous list, all of whom are hero-worshipped in their communities, and could provide a bridge between the club and those communities, an advantage that most of the other clubs don't have

I know a number of people through my work who are in senior corporate positions in northern Australia, and I must have had half a dozen of them say to me when we discuss Liam Jurrah (and it is always Liam because everyone sees him as just such an exciting player even if they are unfortunate enough not to be demon supporters) that there are another 40 or 50 players just like Jurrah playing football in the outback! Even allowing for hyperbole, and it is difficult to stay away from when one discusses Jurrah, the point is well made that we are nowhere near fully tapping into this talent pool, and it IMO could only be to the Demons advantage if we do so, with the AFL's help, whilst at the same time helping underprivileged indigenous communities.

Thoughts?

The idea was floated a couple of years ago but I don't think it ever got off the ground. It was going to be called the Aaron Davey Scholarship but when I asked about it subsequently at a club function, nobody knew anything whether it was in operation. Since then, I've heard no more about the concept and assume it's been shelved.

I think it would be great to get a young Inigenous player to the club but I suppose from a club viewpoint, the problem would be that you can't ensure that you will secure the player for your own club if he looks the goods. Perhaps the AFL could look into allowing each club to take a player on a scholarship system in circumstances where a community service can be provided?

The idea was floated a couple of years ago but I don't think it ever got off the ground. It was going to be called the Aaron Davey Scholarship but when I asked about it subsequently at a club function, nobody knew anything whether it was in operation. Since then, I've heard no more about the concept and assume it's been shelved.

I think it would be great to get a young Inigenous player to the club but I suppose from a club viewpoint, the problem would be that you can't ensure that you will secure the player for your own club if he looks the goods. Perhaps the AFL could look into allowing each club to take a player on a scholarship system in circumstances where a community service can be provided?

I agree. The basis of the scheme I propose is that it becomes an AFL initiative for all clubs to participate in it. The advantage i see for the Demons is because of our very strong indigenous list, our already existing strong connections into indigenous communities, and our inclusive club culture, player will more likely sign with us and we will be able to identify them early.

There is nothing in it for the clubs unless they can hang on to their scholarship holders once they trun 17, just as the clubs can currently provide scholarship to player in Qld and NSW. It has to be an AFL wide scheme.

I thought Pierce Little whom played at Casry and last year with Bendigo Bombers was a past recipient.

I thought Pierce Little whom played at Casry and last year with Bendigo Bombers was a past recipient.

He was.

It happened - I read an article about it.

I think it quickly faded into obscurity after Liddle because it required a young indigenous player to be on Casey's list that wasn't an MFC rookie or senior-listed player, and that is not always the case.

The Scorpions list-management can't be determined by the need to fulfill a scholarship position.

I think the idea of this thread is almost like going backwards to the days of recruiting before the draft, but specifically for indigenous players.

I don't think forming this segregation based purely on race is such a good idea.