AFLW: Player Development: How the Demons are Getting it Right

[Dees_In_October]

Thought some of you might be interested in this piece by AFLW expert Gemma Bastiani.

It's an in-depth look at how the Dees' 2021 list was put together and how the club is developing its young players in the unique AFLW environment:

https://sirensport.com.au/aussie-rules/aflw-player-development-how-the-demons-are-getting-it-right/

 

I've cherry-picked some highlights:

- Melbourne fielded the fewest Victorian top-ten draftees in the 2021 season

- While most Victorian clubs built their 2021 lists through the draft, Melbourne has looked to cross-code rookies more than any other Victorian club. A strategy somewhat making up for their limited access to high-end draft picks. Of the four inaugural Victorian clubs, the Demons have had access to just eight top ten Victorian players since 2017, compared to 11 at Collingwood, 12 at Carlton and 17 at the Western Bulldogs.

- Players aren’t the only ones putting in extra time outside of contracted hours year round. Head coach Mick Stinear and his coaching panel run extra skills sessions twice a week, and willingly conduct one-on-one sessions with players whenever requested.

- L.Pearce, on the turning point in her form ahead of her All Australian 2019 season - Pearce would head down to the men’s training sessions outside of her contracted hours to work with men's coach Greg Stafford. “Prior to that, obviously, I was working during the days and stuff and it was not until that 2018 [VFLW] season that I was able to drop off work quite a bit, which therefore gave me more time to invest in my game outside of normal training hours.”  The fact that the club and Pearce were able to negotiate this extra position-specific training time meant the ruck was able to develop her ground-level game during team training sessions.

- Also some interesting stuff from the likes of Hanks, Heath and Tarrant about their progress in the last few years.

[Meggs]

That was a good read, thanks for sharing DIO.

[BDA]

Our recruitment and development has been first rate. Hanks is a ripper and Bannon and McNamara are very promising as well.

I think we have been very clever developing a relationship with Dublin. They are the strongest gaelic football team with the biggest pool of players. Goldy has been fantastic for us, McEvoy contributed and Magee, after a shaky start, has found her feet and has the makings of a very solid lock down defender. The Irish players have a lot to learn when they get here but we seem to be able to get the best out of them which is testament to our development programs and coaching.

There are other talented Irish players playing for other clubs but having access to Dublin players gives us an edge. Watching the Dublin game, posted on another thread, you can see there are other candidates who could make the switch

[Deeoldfart]

Great article D_I_O.  Thanks!  I'm growing in confidence that we are not too far away from meeting our Club's aspiration of having premiership winning teams in both the AFL and AFLW.

[Dees2014]

18 hours ago, Dees_In_October said:

Thought some of you might be interested in this piece by AFLW expert Gemma Bastiani.

It's an in-depth look at how the Dees' 2021 list was put together and how the club is developing its young players in the unique AFLW environment:

https://sirensport.com.au/aussie-rules/aflw-player-development-how-the-demons-are-getting-it-right/

 

I've cherry-picked some highlights:

- Melbourne fielded the fewest Victorian top-ten draftees in the 2021 season

- While most Victorian clubs built their 2021 lists through the draft, Melbourne has looked to cross-code rookies more than any other Victorian club. A strategy somewhat making up for their limited access to high-end draft picks. Of the four inaugural Victorian clubs, the Demons have had access to just eight top ten Victorian players since 2017, compared to 11 at Collingwood, 12 at Carlton and 17 at the Western Bulldogs.

- Players aren’t the only ones putting in extra time outside of contracted hours year round. Head coach Mick Stinear and his coaching panel run extra skills sessions twice a week, and willingly conduct one-on-one sessions with players whenever requested.

- L.Pearce, on the turning point in her form ahead of her All Australian 2019 season - Pearce would head down to the men’s training sessions outside of her contracted hours to work with men's coach Greg Stafford. “Prior to that, obviously, I was working during the days and stuff and it was not until that 2018 [VFLW] season that I was able to drop off work quite a bit, which therefore gave me more time to invest in my game outside of normal training hours.”  The fact that the club and Pearce were able to negotiate this extra position-specific training time meant the ruck was able to develop her ground-level game during team training sessions.

- Also some interesting stuff from the likes of Hanks, Heath and Tarrant about their progress in the last few years.

To me this further reenforces what a well run clubs the red and blue have turned themselves into, particularly when they are contrasted to their traditional rivals Carlton, Collingwood, St.Kilda, Essendon, and to a lessor extent Geelong. The best in my 50 years following the Dees.