37 minutes ago, BDA said:

What about next door in New Zealand? Rugby players can already catch, kick and tackle. You would think a rugby background provided a good base to transition to AFL. 

Because their girlfriends would be in quarantine for to long, they would miss them......

7 hours ago, D Rev said:

some of the Rugby playing countries in Europe too; Italy, France, Wales

Not sure re Europe, language/culture differences are much greater than coming from Ireland or U.S.

1 hour ago, BoBo said:

Dunno if things have changed nowadays but I played Footy from about 9 years old until I was 21, never once was I coached on my kicking. In fact I don’t remember any conversations with any player about their technique. 
 

Edit: and now that I think of it, the variation in kicking technique was a lot.

that is staggering. in 12 years from a kid you weren’t taught how to kick?! 

bizarre

I remember being taught in under 12s how to kick a stab pass (ask your grandfather).

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

it’s baffling to me that AFL can’t at least kick at 80% on their non preferred and a lot of players are described as average kicks after playing their entire lives. 

I put it down to the development paths. Boys are quickly channeled into elite programs where success is necessary to stay in the team.

In the olden days I knew a coach who would have his best players play for a season using only their non preferred foot. It just doesn't happen anymore to my knowledge

11 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I put it down to the development paths. Boys are quickly channeled into elite programs where success is necessary to stay in the team.

In the olden days I knew a coach who would have his best players play for a season using only their non preferred foot. It just doesn't happen anymore to my knowledge

That would be seen as sidest these days

4 hours ago, Demonstone said:

I remember being taught in under 12s how to kick a stab pass (ask your grandfather).

Those were the days. Kicking 30 stab passes in the warm-up alone.

5 hours ago, Demonstone said:

I remember being taught in under 12s how to kick a stab pass (ask your grandfather).

Would've thought the place kick was your go to

On 8/11/2023 at 5:52 PM, bing181 said:

Not sure re Europe, language/culture differences are much greater than coming from Ireland or U.S.

Absolutely - but it works for Soccer and Basketball (sports transition) so it should work for AFL.

All entirely hypothetical, but interesting!

On 8/11/2023 at 6:53 PM, Demonstone said:

I remember being taught in under 12s how to kick a  stab pass  daisycutter (ask your grandfather).

fixed it for ya, ds 😃 

On 8/10/2023 at 11:48 AM, Fork 'em said:

 

Forget the white guys.
Try a couple black guys with some fast twitch fibres.
Cause white men can't jump .... Or run.

 

On 8/10/2023 at 11:52 AM, dazzledavey36 said:

*African Americans. 

Some of the East Africans have been ok too.  Alir Alir, Majak Daw, Mac Andrew.   

On 8/12/2023 at 12:11 AM, Stiff Arm said:

Would've thought the place kick was your go to

Around 2000, me and the kids ran out onto the ground afterwards.  I started making a hole with my heel to demonstrate a place kick as I was taught by my greatuncle in the late 50's.  Bloody security guard made me stop!  It's a goddamn police state.

They’re inviting the Irish to Draft Combines these days 

Elite all-rounder among Irish quartet to get Combine call-up

 

 

Melbourne was the pioneer of introducing Irish footballers into the game when the late Ron Barassi was our coach in the 1980s. There are three outstanding Irish women footballers in our AFLW team and yet … for some reason (and it irks me), the club appears not to be interested in looking at young Irish players for our current men’s team.

Tucked away in this article is the story of four AFL clubs getting the jump on the other clubs in regard to recruiting four talented young potential Irish players.

Roos target pick one, Dee to go on, big Dog to stay

FOUR CLUBS TRIAL IRISH TALENTS

ESSENDON, Richmond, Geelong and Hawthorn will host the four Irish prospects for trials this week ahead of their testing at the AFL Draft Combine.

The AFL has brought out four talents – James McLaughlin, Eoin McElholm, Odran Murdock and Conor Corbett – to trial at clubs and also take part in the three-day Combine later this week.

The players were at the Bombers on Monday, with trials also to take place at the Tigers, Cats and Hawks through the week before the Combine commences on Friday at the Melbourne Park and MCG precinct.

I once asked the question at an AGM about Irish recruits and was told it was an expensive exercise. It might have been 10 -15 years ago but if you pick the right player it can be a bonanza.

the main reasons irish players are attractive (compared with other sports) is that gaelic football is purely amateur, so no contract issues and a nice way to earn some good money.

additionally, because they also play in northern hemisphere winter it doesn't clash with our winter. 

this won't be true for most other elite sports.

 

Edited October 3, 20231 yr by daisycutter

And our AFLW team which is absolutely flying has 3 Irish girls playing and contributing really well.