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.

2 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The ones to watch: Future bright for multicultural stars

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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.

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.

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

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

 

Quote

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. 

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.

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.