Jump to content

Tairon Ah-Mu - No access for Dees NGA Talent

demonglory
demonglory
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

It is absurd that Pasifika kids aren't covered by the NGA academies. A very big and growing immigrant demographic in Australia and a culture that gravitates to Rugby Union (and Rugby League by default).

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     
    25 minutes ago, No. 31 said:

    It is absurd that Pasifika kids aren't covered by the NGA academies. A very big and growing immigrant demographic in Australia and a culture that gravitates to Rugby Union (and Rugby League by default).

    It will come in the following draft year … don’t worry. 

    Edited by Sir Windsor

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
    • Clap 1

    It's frustrating, but I think most here would agree with a general tightening of the rules on eligibility based on background, or better yet - finding a way to refine them to align with common sense while maintaining strict parameters. Should one of Ah-Mu's parents have been born in Melbourne, and the other migrated as a child, then he is equivalent to Nathan Jones.  

  • Quote
    •  

    Not having access to an NGA young talent like Tairon Ah-Mu for the Melbourne Football Club is actually a disgrace!

    Especially after missing out on Mac Andrew! Who is now the $12 million(?) dollar man at the Golf Coast Suns.

    Why should we even bother with the NGA at all?! There is no benefit for the Melbourne Football Club to do so if we cannot have access to the players we develop. It's literally a waste of time and money.

    I would strongly suggest either Brad Green or the next Melbourne Football Club President to make a formal complaint and heavily lobby the AFL asking why we cannot have access to the NGA talent we develop?! This is grossly unfair! We need to kick up a big stink about this!

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    49 minutes ago, Sir Windsor said:

    It will come in the following draft year … don’t worry. 

    Nah, I don't agree.

    They will just award the entire Pacific Islands zone to the Suns!

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Clap 1

    14 minutes ago, Left Foot Snap said:

    Nah, I don't agree.

    They will just award the entire Pacific Islands zone to the Suns!

    Tasmania more likely. 

  • Quote
    •  
    19 hours ago, 58er said:

    Nothing we can do unfortunately. 

    Defeatist attitude.

    What would Blues, Pies and Cats do?

    Start the lobbying with Kane and Dillon immediately and maybe given our woke new world, threaten litigation from him for being racially disadvantaged.

    Gary Lyon is furious at Andrew situation so use him in the media to push for it.

    The AFL changes rules on a whim as we well know.

     

    Edited by Redleg

  • Quote
    • Like 7
    • Thanks 1
    • Clap 3
    41 minutes ago, Redleg said:

    Defeatist attitude.

    What would Blues, Pies and Cats do?

    Start the lobbying with Kane and Dillon immediately and maybe given our woke new world, threaten litigation from him for being racially disadvantaged.

    Gary Lyon is furious at Andrew situation so use him in the media to push for it.

    The AFL changes rules on a whim as we well know.

     

     Don't just roll over and get ceremoniously [censored] by the AFL .

    Not Moving Wake Up GIF by Travis

    Even if that doesn't help now but for the future.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    18 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

    Not having access to an NGA young talent like Tairon Ah-Mu for the Melbourne Football Club is actually a disgrace!

    Especially after missing out on Mac Andrew! Who is now the $12 million(?) dollar man at the Golf Coast Suns.

    Why should we even bother with the NGA at all?! There is no benefit for the Melbourne Football Club to do so if we cannot have access to the players we develop. It's literally a waste of time and money.

    I would strongly suggest either Brad Green or the next Melbourne Football Club President to make a formal complaint and heavily lobby the AFL asking why we cannot have access to the NGA talent we develop?! This is grossly unfair! We need to kick up a big stink about this!

    Agree. Put the cash back into our talent scouts to find players we can actually draft. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Clap 1

    I think given the circumstances of it all, the AFL should credit us in some regard. Reimbursement of our investment, perhaps? I know that helps little for the club but if the league wants us to continue doing the service we are doing, it shouldn’t come out of our pocket. 

    More players in these academies benefits the growth of the game (as well as our kids in the program, provided it’s not overfilled to the point of less training to those it’s intended for)

    Cash back for anyone drafted to another club. Can reinvest into the program, happily have it backpaid for those taken in the period of overreaction to JUH too. 

  • Quote

    To many kids with crayons working at the AFL.

    Why wouldn't the AFL be trying to pry talent from a Rugby Heartland of the Pacific Islands.

    Crazy, crazy.

    We are just about to embark on a huge talent squeeze with Tassy coming in and the AFL are turning their back on a huge pot of talent.

    It's embarrassing.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Clap 1
    24 minutes ago, manny100 said:

    To many kids with crayons working at the AFL.

    Why wouldn't the AFL be trying to pry talent from a Rugby Heartland of the Pacific Islands.

    Crazy, crazy.

    We are just about to embark on a huge talent squeeze with Tassy coming in and the AFL are turning their back on a huge pot of talent.

    It's embarrassing.

    They do want to get that talent, they just don't want it to be wearing the red and blue Guernsey.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    On 11/09/2024 at 22:43, Redleg said:

    Well we should be seeking compo over rule changes that cost us a number 5 pick in Mac Andrea a year after Dogs got JUH and then the rules changed back again. 

    Is it possible the AFL changed the rule just enough to get him to Gold Coast?

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Angry 1

    Absolutely not something I would typically suggest , but should we put the heat on the club by flooding them with emails ?

    The supporters are passionate and we’ve been screwed with Mac and also the AFL retiring Gus with no compensation . 

    Edited by Melonmonster

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    5 hours ago, Superunknown said:

    Incumbent on pert and the board to kick up a stink here

    We play too nice

    it stinks

    I obviously meant encumbent

    behoves probably would have been more apt

  • Quote
    On 12/09/2024 at 06:59, Ungarieboy said:

    Having more good players in the academy lifts the standards and the quality of the academy (other participants) - so there's still benefits of him being there.

    That seems like us putting years into players and then letting them leave to me. As in not really a win.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    6 hours ago, Superunknown said:

    I obviously meant encumbent

    I don't think you did. 

  • Quote

    5 minutes ago, Skuit said:

    I don't think you did. 

    You are of course correct

    I’ve a broken thumb - an avulsion - checking posts out for rails and missed the chisel instead hitting my thumb joint at Mach 2 -  and been pruning lemon myrtle up a ladder with one arm so my brain is fried

    Coupled with a 5 week ban on running cycling weights surfing and golf whilst my thumb is in a cast…

    You’ll have to excuse me - brain is running like an average home boy 

  • Quote

    I sent the club an email saying that it would be appropriate to ask the AFL to review these rules.

    The issue is whether players of a multicultural background but are not 'draft' eligible should be allowed to be part of the Academy?

    Members and supporters in a way can 'pin their hopes' on some of these players and naturally feel deflated when it all goes 'belly up'. 

    The other issue is that the club invests $$$ and time which end up benefitting another club. We have already been bent over in this regard via Mac Andrew. Its a sure thing the AFL did not reimburse our development costs.

    Also the Pacific islands are a rugby heartland and Samoa has its own language. Then there is the talent squeeze with Tassy coming in.

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    I seem to be flip flopping a bit on this issue personally. Whilst I would have loved access to match bids to obtain Ah Mu cheaper (which I assumed was the case when I first heard he was NGA), there’s nothing to say we can’t just draft the kid. If we rate him (and whilst scouts are thorough we’ve seen him closer than most) then just pick him. He’s touted as a top 20 type, not a number one pick. 
    If any rules are changed likely it won’t be us but someone like collingwood or Carlton who benefit and bring in a number one pick because their half sisters twice removed cousin once ate a curry in their aligned zone. 
    Best of luck to the kid, hope he has a good year and our program is serving him well. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    24 minutes ago, The end is nigh said:

    I seem to be flip flopping a bit on this issue personally. Whilst I would have loved access to match bids to obtain Ah Mu cheaper (which I assumed was the case when I first heard he was NGA), there’s nothing to say we can’t just draft the kid. If we rate him (and whilst scouts are thorough we’ve seen him closer than most) then just pick him. He’s touted as a top 20 type, not a number one pick. 
    If any rules are changed likely it won’t be us but someone like collingwood or Carlton who benefit and bring in a number one pick because their half sisters twice removed cousin once ate a curry in their aligned zone. 
    Best of luck to the kid, hope he has a good year and our program is serving him well. 

    Its the strategic advantage that comes with Father/sons and NGA picks that is part of the deal.

    For example if we know we are getting 2 talls in 2025 via those avenues we can go 'hell for leather' recruiting/drafting mid type players in earlier drafts.

    The Swans played this very well. They knew they had gun Academy type players coming through and that enabled them to go for a few 'riskier' taller types in the draft.

    Edited by manny100

  • Quote

    I don't understand this at all.

    Firstly, why are there players within NGAs who are ineligible to be drafted under the NGA rules? How does that happen?

    Secondly, why is this only being reported now, as if it's a new thing when the journalist, Cal Twomey, said on X that it's not new at all? If it's not new, why did he just write about it? If it is new, why?

  • Quote
    • Like 5

    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 09

      Round 9 kicks off out west with the Dockers hosting a Collingwood side resting several stars. Fremantle need to make a statement on their home deck after some disappointing form on the road, while the Magpies will be keen to maintain their Top 2 position. Friday night sees a must-win clash between two sides desperate to stay in touch with the eight. St Kilda have shown glimpses while Carlton are clinging to relevance after a flat start to the season. Saturday’s twilight game at Marvel pits the Bombers against a struggling Sydney outfit. Essendon can’t afford another close match against a lower-ranked side, while the Swans risk sliding down the ladder even further. Up in Darwin, the fourth-placed Suns will look to extend their stay in the top four. The Bulldogs have hit their stride with three big wins on the trot and will be very keen to consolidate on their momentum. The always fiery Showdown looms as pivotal for both clubs. Adelaide are eyeing a spot in the Top 4 with a win, while Port Adelaide’s season could slip away if they drop another game and fall further behind the pack. Sunday begins with a yawn fest between Richmond and West Coast. The Tigers need to bank the points to stay clear of the bottom two, while the Eagles are still chasing their first win of the year. The Giants face one of the league’s toughest road trips as they travel to GMHBA Stadium to face the Cats. With GWS at risk of a third straight loss, Geelong will be eager to consolidate their position inside the eight and start their climb up the ladder. The round wraps up with the top-of-the-table Lions heading to Ninja Stadium to take on the second-last Roos. The Lions should easily take care of the struggling Roos who might be powerless against the best in the comp. Who are you tipping and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • 103 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: Hawthorn

      Melbourne and Hawthorn who face off against each other this week have more in common than having once almost merged and about to wear a blue jumper with a red v triangle and an embroidered picture of a bird on the front. They also share the MCG as their main home ground, their supporters are associated with the leafy suburbs of Melbourne and in recent times, James Frawley graced the colours of both teams. Even more recently, both have bounced back from disastrous five game losing streaks to start off a season. Of course, the Hawks turned their bounce into a successful leap from the bottom of the ladder into a finals appearance, making it to the semifinals in 2024 and this year, they’re riding high in third place on the AFL table. The Demons are just three games into their 2025 bounce back, and are yet to climb their way out of the bottom four although they are sitting a game and percentage out of the top eight. However, with the current sportsbet odds of $3.90 to win this week’s encounter, it seems a forlorn hope that their upward progression will continue much longer.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Harvey Langford Interview

      On Wednesday I'll be interviewing the Melbourne Football Club's first pick in the 2024 National Draft and pick number 6 overall Harvey Langford. If you have any questions you want asked let me know. I will release the interview on Wednesday afternoon.

      • 31 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: West Coast

      On a night of counting, Melbourne captain Max Gawn made sure that his contribution counted. He was at his best and superb in the the ruck from the very start of the election night game against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium, but after watching his dominance of the first quarter and a half of the clash evaporate into nothing as the Eagles booted four goals in the last ten minutes of the opening half, he turned the game on its head, with a ruckman’s masterclass in the second half.  No superlatives would be sufficient to describe the enormity of the skipper’s performance starting with his 47 hit outs, a career-high 35 possessions (22 of them contested), nine clearances, 12 score involvements and, after messing up an attempt or two, finally capping off one of the greatest rucking performances of all time, with a goal of own in the final quarter not long after he delivered a right angled pass into the arms of Daniel Turner who also goaled from a pocket (will we ever know if the pass is what was intended). That was enough to overturn a 12 point deficit after the Eagles scored the first goal of the second half into a 29 point lead at the last break and a winning final quarter (at last) for the Demons who decided not to rest their champion ruckman at the end this time around. 

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Hawthorn

      The Demons return to the MCG to take on the High Flying Hawks on Saturday Afternoon. Hawthorn will be aiming to consolidate a position in the Top 4 whilst the Dees will be looking to take a scalp and make it four wins in a row. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 312 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: West Coast

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 5th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons 3rd win row for the season against the Eagles.
      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.

      • 25 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All