https://www.afl.com.au/news/1228439
 

AFL.com.au has looked at both clubs' preliminary final line-ups, plus their emergencies, to find how both have built their Grand Final lists, where their strengths have come from, where they've looked to find reinforcements and how each plan has come together to fight for the 2024 flag.

They just rename the article How the academies and Fater/Son systems win you flags. 

And of course Swans also got Callum Mills , 1st round, from their Swans Academy. (Captain) (injured).  Thats been a huge boost.  

1 hour ago, Sir Windsor said:

They just rename the article How the academies and Fater/Son systems win you flags. 

*provided you're allowed to benefit from such systems by the AFL rules

37 minutes ago, DeelightfulPlay said:

*provided you're allowed to benefit from such systems by the AFL rules

The AFL is the father, Brisbane and Swans are the sons.

I suspect that when Eddie McGuire agitated years ago about the salary cap advantages the Swans had the AFL got rid of the Swans salary cap advantage & replaced it with the Academy system.

How is this a fair system where Sydney has 7 academy players and the rest of the clubs are lucky to have 1??? 

and s has guaranteed fta coverage every game in nsw

What the fs and NGA picks enable you to do is have first round picks to use for trades knowing that you get young players in as long as you build points to cover.

Sydney will always contend for at least another decade. The ultimate goal is that Sydney is a pure powerhouse that they dominate the Sydney landscape which is the media hub of the country. GWS, Gold Coast, Tassie are "nice to haves" but Sydney's success in the actual city of Sydney is very important to the AFL strategically. They are fast becoming the LA Lakers of the AFL and the league would be damned if they ever fell from the mantle. 

Yes, but one of them WILL lose on Saturday. Good.

3 hours ago, praha said:

Sydney will always contend for at least another decade. The ultimate goal is that Sydney is a pure powerhouse that they dominate the Sydney landscape which is the media hub of the country. GWS, Gold Coast, Tassie are "nice to haves" but Sydney's success in the actual city of Sydney is very important to the AFL strategically. They are fast becoming the LA Lakers of the AFL and the league would be damned if they ever fell from the mantle. 

With the current academy system in place the Bears and Bloods will never bottom out for a period of more that 2 years.

It's beyond a farce now.

They basically know who they are selecting watching them train and play under their tutelage before they are even selected.

All the guess work is taken out of it pretty much.

So they will never miss with a NGA selection because of how they closely monitor their talent.