One of the funniest things about this is how many people from islander background do you see struggle to put on size or muscle. This kid has so much to work on and we worry about his size! What a joke

This is the least of our worries.

When you hire a New Zealander you have huge character issues.

They come from a totally different culture.

I know I am generalising but some of the worst individuals in our society come from this remote part of Australia .

They have no concept of how to spend money(but they know how to jump the queue to take decent Australians jobs and save it )

They are some of the most inbred ,small minded, greedy little people on earth.

This part of Eastern Tasmania needs an intervention.

Since Clarrie Grimmett, they've given us nothing but a massive welfare bill and Rusty Crowes' overly earnest acting,poetry and rock music.

The lungwich berrier is huge also.

The maoris are fine, and actually work well with others.

It's the pale ones that can make you want to self harm.

For a third world country, they do well in Rugby, I'll give them that.

This is the least of our worries.

When you hire a New Zealander you have huge character issues.

They come from a totally different culture.

I know I am generalising but some of the worst individuals in our society come from this remote part of Australia .

They have no concept of how to spend money(but they know how to jump the queue to take decent Australians jobs and save it )

They are some of the most inbred ,small minded, greedy little people on earth.

This part of Eastern Tasmania needs an intervention.

Since Clarrie Grimmett, they've given us nothing but a massive welfare bill and Rusty Crowes' overly earnest acting,poetry and rock music.

The lungwich berrier is huge also.

The maoris are fine, and actually work well with others.

It's the pale ones that can make you want to self harm.

For a third world country, they do well in Rugby, I'll give them that.

Ever the diplomat Biffo - you were too generous to raise those serious questions regarding animals of the genus ovis and gumboots.

FMD. Every kiwi athlete I've ever heard of has no neck, weighs off the scale and gave up a promising boxing career. Yet we pick a skinny kid.

Yep - and those Kiwis are much better suited to the other code, not AFL.

This is the least of our worries.

When you hire a New Zealander you have huge character issues.

They come from a totally different culture.

I know I am generalising but some of the worst individuals in our society come from this remote part of Australia .

They have no concept of how to spend money(but they know how to jump the queue to take decent Australians jobs and save it )

They are some of the most inbred ,small minded, greedy little people on earth.

This part of Eastern Tasmania needs an intervention.

Since Clarrie Grimmett, they've given us nothing but a massive welfare bill and Rusty Crowes' overly earnest acting,poetry and rock music.

The lungwich berrier is huge also.

The maoris are fine, and actually work well with others.

It's the pale ones that can make you want to self harm.

For a third world country, they do well in Rugby, I'll give them that.

Hey, Biffo! Why so restrained with your comments? Couldn't you just come out and tell us what you REALLY think of the Kiwis...?? LOL

Ever the diplomat Biffo - you were too generous to raise those serious questions regarding animals of the genus ovis and gumboots.

As long as they leave the Alpacas alone and stick to their own.

Alpacas at least look sensitive, almost human.

As long as they leave the Alpacas alone and stick to their own.

Alpacas at least look sensitive, almost human.

No worries on that. Alpacas are quite discerning.

What risk?

Time, money, resources, etc.

Just a little update courtesy of Brian Royal:

"We're really pleased with Maia's progression. He's now progressed to training with the main squad. And we're hoping within the next couple of weeks that he'll be playing in the Casey Development team."

Go you Kiwi!

He is as skinny as anything! (so like Jack Watts)

He is as skinny as anything! (so like Jack Watts)

Who wants to start a funny caption contest with that photo!?

Good on the Dees for having a crack. Work hard Maia and who knows you be as good as Jack Watts.

Looking forward to seeing how he goes.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Young-Kiwi-chases-AFL-dream/tabid/317/articleID/294498/Default.aspx

Its great that the club is looking at options like this. It will be really interesting to see how he goes. The 75 kg is not really an issue - I remember a club captain who was probably lighter at the same age.

It'll be tougher to pick up the ball handling skills though. Those from a Gaelic background really have a head start, but still struggle to pick up basic skills and learn rules that Aussie kids grow up with. (And I reckon our game is growing closer to Gaelic, with tackling being limited and body contact reduced). To balance that, you can go home for weekends, so family problems are much less

New Zealand had an Aussie Rules League back in Association times, and beat NSW at a Carnival - you've got to love that. They are the current international comp champions I think, which is maybe a bit below VFL level but improving. So there might be more value in this than there seems at first glance.

No worries on that. Alpacas are quite discerning.

LoL,,,,

oh dear.

Just a little update courtesy of Brian Royal:

"We're really pleased with Maia's progression. He's now progressed to training with the main squad. And we're hoping within the next couple of weeks that he'll be playing in the Casey Development team."

That BS from a pleased Choco? FMD, another failed player.

I recall seeing him running laps at training before round 1 and he looks deceptively strong... very wirey but what is there appears to be solid muscle.

To all the naysayers I had a chance to chat to him last week in the Change Rooms before the Carlton game, the Club had brought his parents over to show them around.

The original plan was to spend Christmas over here then go back and play in the NZAFL, and come back during breaks, fitting in university as well.

He has progressed so well, that has now changed to him being over here, training full time, and playing in the VFL development league.

His own words "I have the kicking looking ok, handballing is still a bit of an issue, but the rest tackling, running etc, just like another sport"

The fitness guys reckon fully trained and developed has the body shape to carry 85kg so won't be skinny.

Has a frighteningly good verticlal leap on him

Could be absolutely anything.

Looking forward to seeing him play

Who wants to start a funny caption contest with that photo!?

Pass....

Sweet as Bro

Hope he makes it.

To all the naysayers I had a chance to chat to him last week in the Change Rooms before the Carlton game, the Club had brought his parents over to show them around.

The original plan was to spend Christmas over here then go back and play in the NZAFL, and come back during breaks, fitting in university as well.

He has progressed so well, that has now changed to him being over here, training full time, and playing in the VFL development league.

His own words "I have the kicking looking ok, handballing is still a bit of an issue, but the rest tackling, running etc, just like another sport"

The fitness guys reckon fully trained and developed has the body shape to carry 85kg so won't be skinny.

Has a frighteningly good verticlal leap on him

Could be absolutely anything.

Looking forward to seeing him play

Thanks for that.

I saw him at a training session before round one and he was very very skinny but that can be improved (if he doesn't hang around with Watts). He was kicking to a coach about 25-30m away and they were accurate but his kicking action makes Tom McDonal look like a ballerina. Will be intresting to keep an eye on his progress - if he can get his skills to an AFL level then he needs to concentrate on decision making under pressure and his aggression.

Even if he can master all that then what kind of player would he be? Anyone know his height?

I think its a stab in the dark but worth the shot. You would think that we could find someone more developed from Ireland or America.

He is a really nice guy off the field, but he has Maori blood and rugby background, aggression will be the least of his worried.

Jason Taylor (our new recruiting guy) is right into finding talent everywhere, saw Maia in NZ just before he took over at MFC and throught he was too good an opportunity to pass up......the fact that he is training with the main group should tell you something about his progression

Ah the possibilities.... Good luck Maia!!

Just one thing, the game is changing, Miaia's action might not be the classical......but as Casey watchers will know.....Hogan's run up for a set shot would frighten an old time coach, but it works.....same with Jimmy Toumpas, who has the Josh Kennedy shuffle going....

Good on the Dees for having a crack. Work hard Maia and who knows you be as good as Jack Watts.

Thanks Cards you product my first Demonland smile for today