Jump to content

The Kalani White Thread

olisik
olisik
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

2 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

I don't understand the academy system. Can someone explain why he is in it?

It's a very good question. The original purpose of the Northern Academies in NSW and Qld was to get a greater pool of players for the expanding competition who otherwise wouldn't be playing AFL. To make that happen they incentivised the teams in those states to make an investment in finding junior players and developing them in return for getting to have the rights to them.

Isaac Heeney is the ultimate poster boy for this strategy. He was I think 11 years old and playing Rugby League in country NSW and went along to a Swans Academy recruiting camp I believe inspired by the lots of freebies they were giving out and an interest in trying something completely different. Nick Blakey on the other hand like Kalani was a son of an elite AFL champion who was always going to play AFL but because he lived in the Swans area was able to train at their Academy and therefore be eligible to be picked by them even though that was not the intention of the set up of the Academies but it's probably too hard to differentiate those junior players. Kalani grew up in the Suns Academy area and has trained with them from a young age. That's why he can go there if he and they want him to.

Edited by Its Time for Another

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Thanks 2
     
    34 minutes ago, Its Time for Another said:

    It's a very good question. The original purpose of the Northern Academies in NSW and Qld was to get a greater pool of players for the expanding competition who otherwise wouldn't be playing AFL. To make that happen they incentivised the teams in those states to make an investment in finding junior players and developing them in return for getting to have the rights to them.

    Isaac Heeney is the ultimate poster boy for this strategy. He was I think 11 years old and playing Rugby League in country NSW and went along to a Swans Academy recruiting camp I believe inspired by the lots of freebies they were giving out and an interest in trying something completely different. Nick Blakey on the other hand like Kalani was a son of an elite AFL champion who was always going to play AFL but because he lived in the Swans area was able to train at their Academy and therefore be eligible to be picked by them even though that was not the intention of the set up of the Academies but it's probably too hard to differentiate those junior players. Kalani grew up in the Suns Academy area and has trained with them from a young age. That's why he can go there if he and they want him to.

    And Blakeys dad worked for the Swans. He was born with a footy in his cot so it was utterly ridiculous he got to play for the swans. Same goes for Kalani.

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    2 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

    And Blakeys dad worked for the Swans. He was born with a footy in his cot so it was utterly ridiculous he got to play for the swans. Same goes for Kalani.

    Jack Buckley is another. His father Ben played for Nth. Not of the calibre of Blakey or White but Jack consequently played AFL right from the beginning of Juniors. He played at my son's junior club and was a member of the Swans Academy but for some bizarre reason GWS were able to pick him up as a Rookie B player even though he was playing AFL the season he was recruited and even won a rising star nomination.

    Callum Mills played club footy right from juniors and also taken in the Swans Academy. To be fair there's only a handful of NSW comp players who've ever made it. The McVeighs were others. Mark McClure was an outlier back in the '70's. Rampe was a NSW player picked up as a non Academy player after being rejected in multiple drafts and even going down to Melb and playing for Williamstown at the suggestion of the Bulldogs who said they were interested until they weren't. He only got picked up by the Swans because he was playing in a local team in Sydney with Paul Roos's son and Roosy spotted him.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
     
    4 hours ago, 58er said:

    And there is a very decent chance that your opinion is totally wrong.

    What do you base your negativity on Kalani on? His height and thin frame?

    Only need to see his progress and form in junior levels and his footy upbringing by his father and teams and coaches do far.

    A Club would be foolish to not give Kalani on opportunity at AFL level.

    Of course there's a chance I'm wrong. It's an opinion after all. He certainly has a nice athletic package that gives him an opportunity to get him onto an AFL list. He may get his opportunity late in the draft or picked up as a rookie similar to Kynan Brown. I hope he makes it.

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    5 hours ago, Its Time for Another said:

    It's a very good question. The original purpose of the Northern Academies in NSW and Qld was to get a greater pool of players for the expanding competition who otherwise wouldn't be playing AFL. To make that happen they incentivised the teams in those states to make an investment in finding junior players and developing them in return for getting to have the rights to them.

    Isaac Heeney is the ultimate poster boy for this strategy. He was I think 11 years old and playing Rugby League in country NSW and went along to a Swans Academy recruiting camp I believe inspired by the lots of freebies they were giving out and an interest in trying something completely different. Nick Blakey on the other hand like Kalani was a son of an elite AFL champion who was always going to play AFL but because he lived in the Swans area was able to train at their Academy and therefore be eligible to be picked by them even though that was not the intention of the set up of the Academies but it's probably too hard to differentiate those junior players. Kalani grew up in the Suns Academy area and has trained with them from a young age. That's why he can go there if he and they want him to.

    I think it is quite reasonable that some of the father sons and others already in the footy system end up in the accademey system. To a certain extent having more elite players together enhances their development through feeding off each other.

    It does in alot of ways make you wounder why have the elite U18 competition (whatever they call it these day) and the undermining of the draft and equalisation measures is highly regrettable, although when we are talking father/sons generally, that’s somewhat of a non issue - except that in Kalani's case, it gives another club the opportunity to poach them off us at a discounted draft price which they wouldn't otherwise have access to. The constant changing of the rules is also disgraceful ...Mac Andrew 🤬🤬

    Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1

    Fox Sports
    No image preview

    Top prospects, latest whispers in mega mid-year state of...

    Why cross-code prospect has AFL rivals excited; 1.9m beast on radar of mutliple clubs — Draft Watch
  • Quote
    • Like 1

    There’s just a snippet about Kalani in the article:

    Emerging tall Kalani White also featured in that clash and one scout was blown away by his athleticism, especially when rucking. “I think he’ll get there. The competitiveness is there… he just needs a bit of refining,” the scout told foxfooty.com.au.

  • Quote
    • Thanks 5
    Just now, ChaserJ said:

    There’s just a snippet about Kalani in the article:

    Emerging tall Kalani White also featured in that clash and one scout was blown away by his athleticism, especially when rucking. “I think he’ll get there. The competitiveness is there… he just needs a bit of refining,” the scout told foxfooty.com.au.

    Thats most talls tho. reminds me of jackson

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    On 08/05/2025 at 12:01, Its Time for Another said:

    Jack Buckley is another. His father Ben played for Nth. Not of the calibre of Blakey or White but Jack consequently played AFL right from the beginning of Juniors. He played at my son's junior club and was a member of the Swans Academy but for some bizarre reason GWS were able to pick him up as a Rookie B player even though he was playing AFL the season he was recruited and even won a rising star nomination.

    Callum Mills played club footy lright from juniors and also taken in the Swans Academy. To be fair there's only a handful of NSW comp players who've ever made it. The McVeighs were others. Mark McClure was an outlier back in the '70's. Rampe was a NSW player picked up as a non Academy player after being rejected in multiple drafts and even going down to Melb and playing for Williamstown at the suggestion of the Bulldogs who said they were interested until they weren't. He only got picked up by the Swans because he was playing in a local team in Sydney with Paul Roos's son and Roosy spotted him.

    Maclure also played some junior footy at Riverton inWA

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    So long as the write-ups keep mentioning his competitiveness I think everyone on Demonland will feel positive about his future with us.

    "Bring me competitive talls, I will take them all and at any price"

  • Quote
    • Like 6
    • Thanks 1
    • Love 1
    On 08/05/2025 at 16:31, Random Task said:

    Of course there's a chance I'm wrong. It's an opinion after all. He certainly has a nice athletic package that gives him an opportunity to get him onto an AFL list. He may get his opportunity late in the draft or picked up as a rookie similar to Kynan Brown. I hope he makes it.

    He's an athletic 200cm player that has played footy his whole life (as opposed to tall coming from another sport), will be much more interest in him than a player like Kynan

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    I’m not even certain Gold Coast could take him if they wanted / they have two players in their academy who will go top 10 well ahead of Kalani so I’m not sure how they could afford them all…

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    58 minutes ago, adonski said:

    About time for another messiah

    We've got Langford, Lindsay, Windsor, Bowey, Chandler, JVR, Petty, Pickett, Rivers, Spargo, Turner and Tholstrup as our future. We're doing ok. Happy for Kalani to play like the Messiah but he's got a few to top first.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    1 hour ago, The Jackson FIX said:

    I’m not even certain Gold Coast could take him if they wanted / they have two players in their academy who will go top 10 well ahead of Kalani so I’m not sure how they could afford them all…

    They have three expected to go first round (at least two of them top 10): Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson and Beau Addinsal (might have the spelling wrong).

    White will be well down their priority list.

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    3 minutes ago, Wizard of Koz said:

    I have seen enough. He has it.

    For a guy who hasn't been all that highly rated over the past 12-24 months he certainly passes the eye test

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    8 minutes ago, adonski said:

    For a guy who hasn't been all that highly rated over the past 12-24 months he certainly passes the eye test

    his second grabs look effortless, good hands get him in asap

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    On 08/05/2025 at 16:31, Random Task said:

    Of course there's a chance I'm wrong. It's an opinion after all. He certainly has a nice athletic package that gives him an opportunity to get him onto an AFL list. He may get his opportunity late in the draft or picked up as a rookie similar to Kynan Brown. I hope he makes it.

    You didn’t answer m y question why you don’t rate Kalani ?

    I am saying again that he will go far earlier Than your repeated underrated options.

    A player that could well be another Sam Darcy won’t be left until Kynan was. That’s allowing for some very odd late players under the NGA rules drafting occasionally.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    1 hour ago, 58er said:

    You didn’t answer m y question why you don’t rate Kalani ?

    I am saying again that he will go far earlier Than your repeated underrated options.

    A player that could well be another Sam Darcy won’t be left until Kynan was. That’s allowing for some very odd late players under the NGA rules drafting occasionally.

    It's not about rating him or not. He's got deficiencies in his game, as all u18s do. Good news for him is that the season is still young and he has athletic ability most players would kill for.

    But there's a reason he's not mentioned as a first or even second round prospect at this stage.

    I've watched him live numerous times and have questions marks on parts of his game that his athleticism somewhat masks.

    He doesn't dominate the air like he should for his size and athleticism, his intercept marks aren't a big feature of his game, he doesn't have sticky hands and double grabs a lot. He lacks a degree of competitiveness, his running patterns, defensice iq and body work isnt great and his work rate requires improvement. He has a gap between his best and worst footy, lacking consistency in performance. And at u18 and representive level he hasn't featured in the best players.

    Don't mean to get a downer. He's still a prospect, but a project player is what he will be in my view.

    Others will see it differently, that's just my opinion.

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Thanks 2
    9 minutes ago, Random Task said:

    It's not about rating him or not. He's got deficiencies in his game, as all u18s do. Good news for him is that the season is still young and he has athletic ability most players would kill for.

    But there's a reason he's not mentioned as a first or even second round prospect at this stage.

    I've watched him live numerous times and have questions marks on parts of his game that his athleticism somewhat masks.

    He doesn't dominate the air like he should for his size and athleticism, his intercept marks aren't a big feature of his game, he doesn't have sticky hands and double grabs a lot. He lacks a degree of competitiveness, his running patterns, defensice iq and body work isnt great and his work rate requires improvement. He has a gap between his best and worst footy, lacking consistency in performance. And at u18 and representive level he hasn't featured in the best players.

    Don't mean to get a downer. He's still a prospect, but a project player is what he will be in my view.

    Others will see it differently, that's just my opinion.

    Thanks RT for the update and value your advice that you have witnessed him play in under age Comp/ state teams.

    Interesting watch no doubt.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • NON-MFC: Round 10

      The Sir Doug Nicholls Round kicks off in Darwin with a Top 4 clash between the Suns and the Hawks. On Friday night the Swans will be seeking to rebound from a challenging start to the season, while the Blues have the Top 8 in their sights after their sluggish start. Saturdays matches kick off with a blockbuster between the Collingwood and Kuwarna with the Magpies looking to maintain their strong form and the Crows aiming to make a statement on the road. The Power face a difficult task to revive their season against a resilient Cats side looking to make amends for their narrow loss last week. The Giants aim to reinforce their top-eight status, while the Dockers will be looking to break the travel hoodoo. The sole Saturday game is a critical matchup for both teams, as the Bulldogs strive to cemet their spot in the top six and the Bombers desperately want break into the 8. Sundays start with a bottom 3 clash between the Tigers and Kangaroos with both teams wanting to avoid the being in wooden spoon contention. The Round concludes with the Eagles still searching for their first win of the season, while the Saints look to keep their finals hopes alive with a crucial away victory. Who are you tipping and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • 87 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: Brisbane

      And just like that, we’re Narrm again. Even though the annual AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round which commemorates the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to our game has been a welcome addition to our calendar for ten years, more lately it has been a portent of tough times ahead for we beleaguered Narrm supporters. Ever since the club broke through for its historic 2021 premiership, this has become a troubling time of the year for the club. For example, it all began when Melbourne rebranded itself as Narrm across the two rounds of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round to become the first club to adopt an Indigenous club name especially for the occasion. It won its first outing under the brand against lowly North Melbourne to go to 10 wins and no losses but not without a struggle or a major injury to  star winger Ed Langdon who broke his ribs and missed several weeks. In the following week, still as Narrm, the team’s 17 game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Dockers. That came along with more injuries, a plague that remained with them for the remainder of the season until, beset by injuries, the Dees were eliminated from the finals in straight sets. It was even worse last year, when Narrm inexplicably lowered its colours in Perth to the Waalit Marawar Eagles. Oh, the shame of it all! At least this year, if there is a corner to turn around, it has to be in the direction of something better. To that end, I produced a special pre-game chant in the local Narrm language - “nam mi:wi winnamun katjil prolin ambi ngamar thamelin amb” which roughly translated is “every heart beats true for the red and the blue.” >y belief is that if all of the Narrm faithful recite it long enough, then it might prove to be the only way to beat the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday. The Lions are coming off a disappointing draw at Marvel Stadium against a North Melbourne team that lacks the ability and know how to win games (except when playing Melbourne). Brisbane are, however, a different kettle of fish at home and have very few positional weaknesses. They are a midfield powerhouse, strong in defence and have plenty of forward options, particularly their small and medium sized players, to kick a winning score this week after the sting of last week’s below par performance.

      • 11 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Hawthorn

      There was a time during the current Melbourne cycle that goes back to before the premiership when the club was the toughest to beat in the fourth quarter. The Demons were not only hard to beat at any time but it was virtually impossible to get the better them when scores were close at three quarter time. It was only three or four years ago but they were fit, strong and resilient in body and mind. Sadly, those days are over. This has been the case since the club fell off its pedestal about 12 months ago after it beat Geelong and then lost to Carlton. In both instances, Melbourne put together strong, stirring final quarters, one that resulted in victory, the other, in defeat. Since then, the drop off has been dramatic to the point where it can neither pull off victory in close matches, nor can it even go down in defeat  gallantly.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Footscray

      At twenty-four minutes into the third term of the game between the Casey Demons and Footscray VFL at Whitten Oval, the visitors were coasting. They were winning all over the ground, had the ascendancy in the ruck battles and held a 26 point lead on a day perfect for football. What could go wrong? Everything. The Bulldogs moved into overdrive in the last five minutes of the term and booted three straight goals to reduce the margin to a highly retrievable eight points at the last break. Bouyed by that effort, their confidence was on a high level during the interval and they ran all over the despondent Demons and kicked another five goals to lead by a comfortable margin of four goals deep into the final term before Paddy Cross kicked a couple of too late goals for a despondent Casey. A testament to their lack of pressure in the latter stages of the game was the fact that Footscray’s last ten scoring shots were nine goals and one rushed behind. Things might have been different for the Demons who went into the game after last week’s bye with 12 AFL listed players. Blake Howes was held over for the AFL game but two others, Jack Billings and Taj Woewodin (not officially listed as injured) were also missing and they could have been handy at the end. Another mystery of the current VFL system.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Brisbane

      The Demons head back out on the road in Round 10 when they travel to Queensland to take on the reigning Premiers and the top of the table Lions who look very formidable. Can the Dees cause a massive upset? Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Vomit
        • Sad
        • Thanks
      • 277 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Hawthorn

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 12th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Demons loss to the Hawks. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.

        • Thanks
      • 53 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All