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Future bright for multicultural stars

Whispering_Jack
in Melbourne Demons

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The ones to watch: Future bright for multicultural stars

Victoria’s most promising young talent was on display late last month as around 45 multicultural and Indigenous footballers turned out at AFL Victoria’s ‘All Nations and Kickstart Development Day’ at LaTrobe University in Bundoora.

Included among them was Andrew Samawi from Beaconsfield Junior Football Club who is “tied” to the Melbourne NGA program (yes … we have another NGA called “Andrew”!). He is described as a “tall midfielder with clean hands who can also play in defence”.

I use the word “tied” very loosely because, as from next year, other than in the case of the northern states clubs’ NGAs, clubs will not be able to match draft bids for their own NGA players inside the top 40 picks.

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    2 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

    The ones to watch: Future bright for multicultural stars

    .........................................

    I use the word “tied” very loosely because, as from next year, other than in the case of the northern states clubs’ NGAs, clubs will not be able to match draft bids for their own NGA players inside the top 40 picks.

    This stinks!  It's certainly a disincentive for most clubs to put effort into developing their own NGAs.

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    9 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

    This stinks!  It's certainly a disincentive for most clubs to put effort into developing their own NGAs.

    Agreed, it's totally pointless even having an NGA system if it's so hard to get the talent you've put effort into.

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    There really needs to be compensation provided for clubs that don’t get their NGA prospects. Otherwise what’s the point of doing it?

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    I found this article -A revamp for the Melbourne Academy 

    These are the boys who would now be a year or two away from the draft (my highlights in red).

    Rashad Abdul Khalek Noble Park

    Caelan Addis Cora Lynn

    Josip Albert Narre North

    Riak Andrew Berwick

    Dylan Armstrong Narre South

    Kynan Auhl Pakenham

    Ethan Bell Narre South

    Tige Bergman Berwick

    Jayden Blackman Berwick Springs

    Corey Braden Berwick

    Brody Campbell Tooradin Dalmore

    Brody Chase Officer

    Luke Cornish Berwick Springs

    Christopher Cudmore Beaconsfield

    Badr Dandash Noble Park

    Kade Delarue Beaconsfield

    Campbell Dupuy Endeavour Hills

    Jett Edwards Cora Lynn

    Thomas Falkingham Pakenham

    Joe Fallah Endeavour Hills

    Jackson Ferrier Berwick

    Samuel Frangalas Berwick Springs

    Bradley Frater Cranbourne

    Fergus Goldberg Tooradin Dalmore

    Toby Goswell Pakenham

     Jack Grist Beaconsfield

    Jeran Gunaratnam Narre North

    Brody Hill Berwick

    Logan Hiscock Beaconsfield

    Dejan Janjic Endeavour Hills

    Tyler Kirkbride Tooradin Dalmore

    Noah Lafrantz Berwick

    Jordan Leveque Narre South

    Dean Milivojevic Berwick Springs

    Luke Morrell Beaconsfield

    Murharem Muja Hampton Park

    Ethan Paul Narre South

    Daniel Pinter Berwick

    Benjamin Pugsley Koo Wee Rup

    Jamie Roberts Beaconsfield

    Phillip Rodwell Berwick

    Kane Rudy Pakenham

    Andrew Samawi Beaconsfield

    Brayden Saunders Berwick

    Kobe Shipp Beaconsfield

    Patrick SInnema Narre North

    Curtis Stephens Beaconsfield

    Kenneth Thong Hampton Park

    Jack Wilson Narre South

    Kobe Wilson Pakenham

    Sam Woodward Berwick

     

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    Name: Riak Andrew

    Clubs: Berwick F.C. / Essendon NGA

    Bio: Athletic tall who can play in the ruck as well as key position. Very good at ground level and follow up work is great. Younger brother of recently drafted Suns player, Mac Andrew.

    If he's playing at Berwick and the family is still in the South East why would he be Essendon NGA and not Melbourne NGA?

    In general I don't care much for the NGA's. Clubs put in a fraction of their total footy budget - a little bit of time for a coach, some gym time, a bit of extra work for the support staff. Clubs really should just be happy they are contributing to growing the game with diversity rather than need a draft advantage.

    The junior clubs are the ones really responsible for developing players and it should stay that way. Kids should be allowed to grow up being kids and come through the system at their own pace. The way I see it the NGA is really just a safeguard to make sure junior clubs are encouraging spaces for diversity and multicultural kids aren't at a disadvantage. 

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    6 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

    If he's playing at Berwick and the family is still in the South East why would he be Essendon NGA and not Melbourne NGA?

    In general I don't care much for the NGA's. Clubs put in a fraction of their total footy budget - a little bit of time for a coach, some gym time, a bit of extra work for the support staff. Clubs really should just be happy they are contributing to growing the game with diversity rather than need a draft advantage.

    The junior clubs are the ones really responsible for developing players and it should stay that way. Kids should be allowed to grow up being kids and come through the system at their own pace. The way I see it the NGA is really just a safeguard to make sure junior clubs are encouraging spaces for diversity and multicultural kids aren't at a disadvantage. 

    The way the system is at the moment, it’s pretty much irrelevant if the player in question is any good or even if he’s perceived to be any good.

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    18 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

    If he's playing at Berwick and the family is still in the South East why would he be Essendon NGA and not Melbourne NGA?

    Has to be an error but, as already pointed out, the NGA program (for the non northern clubs) is now only there for clubs to pick up the players on the fringe who they might hope to develop over time. 

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