22 hours ago, KozzyCan said:

The NGA's were seemingly only brought in because clubs were whinging about the Northern academies. I agree with the sentiment but the AFL's solution was to basically compromise the draft even further. It's lead to the mess we're in now where the first round is now blowing out until pick 30 leaving rebuilding clubs like North and West Coast in an even bigger hole.

Imo the AFL should ditch the NGA's and put way stronger restrictions on the Northern academies. It is ridiculous that Gold Coast are able to draft 2-3 top twenty quality picks every year through their academy. Right now matching a pick in the draft comes with discounts and encourages teams to trade back their draft position and collect junk picks and futures to improve their position even further. Imo if you are jumping the queue to get an academy or F/S selection you should be made to pay a premium, not a discount.

A shout i've seen believe it was in the afl.com article related to each clubs feedback on academies is any undrafted NGA eligible player can be signed by any club as catB. currently it still has to be from within your own zone, recently we've brought through AMW but thats it as a catB indigneous player whilst WCE have had 4-5 listed and shuffled them to A rookies and essendon and collingwood and gcs have heavily multicultural zones currently provided larger numbers. if we could "poach" or more free-ly list these players it would solve some of the problems related to decreasing numbers at the pro level and make it a more worthwhile investment for the afl and clubs

5 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Oh yes I would Dazzle. The system is broken. Every time a FS or Academy is taken ahead of you your pick is now one lower. We would have had Mills and we bid on Ashcroft.

We probably win a flag in 2023 if the Pies don’t have two Daicos boys. Win or lose, at least you’d know the system isn’t rigged.

Who knows if Viney was the reason we won in 2021, we might have been much better off or we might have missed the 8 in a fair draft system.

I believe the system is unfair and want it changed and whilst FS are romantic I think it’s a small price to pay for a better system.

Yeah I dont think you would actually.

The FS is just luck of the draw. Some club get dealt a good hand and some don't.

The academies isn't.

6 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Oh yes I would Dazzle. The system is broken. Every time a FS or Academy is taken ahead of you your pick is now one lower. We would have had Mills and we bid on Ashcroft.

We probably win a flag in 2023 if the Pies don’t have two Daicos boys. Win or lose, at least you’d know the system isn’t rigged.

Who knows if Viney was the reason we won in 2021, we might have been much better off or we might have missed the 8 in a fair draft system.

I believe the system is unfair and want it changed and whilst FS are romantic I think it’s a small price to pay for a better system.

The system is not "rigged" because of FS. I dont understand that

7 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Oh yes I would Dazzle. The system is broken. Every time a FS or Academy is taken ahead of you your pick is now one lower. We would have had Mills and we bid on Ashcroft.

We probably win a flag in 2023 if the Pies don’t have two Daicos boys. Win or lose, at least you’d know the system isn’t rigged.

Who knows if Viney was the reason we won in 2021, we might have been much better off or we might have missed the 8 in a fair draft system.

I believe the system is unfair and want it changed and whilst FS are romantic I think it’s a small price to pay for a better system.

The heart of the problem is not the f/s per se but teams got a 20 percent discount to take them. Its the wrong way around. For the romance (which to me has some appeal) you should be paying a 20 percent premium. Eg.. we just drafted Ashcroft... sure you can have him but not until you pay the rest of the comp with draft currency for him. You should have to pay for the right, not gain from the right.

As an aside, the clubs themselves have a lot to blame. Naicos was clearly the best player in that draft but in order to appease JHF's ego and the total neglience of the other clubs he went 4. Draft value 2034 points. 20 percent discount... 1651... they 'paid' 38,40,42,44.

If North had a brain they would have picked him 1 which would have meant the Pies had to pay an extra 1000 points, the equivalent of a late 1st/2nd rounder. Absolute amateur hour.

Edited May 23May 23 by Jjrogan

11 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

The heart of the problem is not the f/s per se but teams got a 20 percent discount to take them. Its the wrong way around. For the romance (which to me has some appeal) you should be paying a 20 percent premium. Eg.. we just drafted Ashcroft... sure you can have him but not until you pay the rest of the comp with draft currency for him. You should have to pay for the right, not gain from the right.

As an aside, the clubs themselves have a lot to blame. Naicos was clearly the best player in that draft but in order to appease JHF's ego and the total neglience of the other clubs he went 4. Draft value 2034 points. 20 percent discount... 1651... they 'paid' 38,40,42,44.

If North had a brain they would have picked him 1 which would have meant the Pies had to pay an extra 1000 points, the equivalent of a late 1st/2nd rounder. Absolute amateur hour.

I’d presume the clubs are in on the lark. Either make them pay with the pick in the same round or get rid of it.

If there's anything that should go it's the rort that is priority picks. If you're shîté you're shîté. Deal with it.

Edited May 23May 23 by Rab D Nesbitt

29 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

I’d presume the clubs are in on the lark. Either make them pay with the pick in the same round or get rid of it.

It still wouldn’t be totally fair but at least they couldn’t just use a bunch of junk picks. My guess is the afl won’t be happy till they have gc lions gws and swans all in contention most years so they won’t change a thing. To me all of this cheapens winning a flag but since when has it ever been equal, everyone gets advantages in different ways some more valuable than others

Doesn’t look like he played for the Stingrays over the weekend. Does anybody know if he’s injured and if so what it is?

5 hours ago, Colm said:

Doesn’t look like he played for the Stingrays over the weekend. Does anybody know if he’s injured and if so what it is?

what school does he attend?

the big game between haileybury and caulfield grammar was on over the weekend, and the likes of tairon ah-mu, for instance, were playing for haileybury instead of the stingrays

Made the Team of the Week again …

so he seems to be being deployed as a genuine wingman?

Toby Sinnema is looking the goods, can’t have to much pace and skill on the list, hope we can get him WJ.

June 18 Notes
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/06/18/scouting-notes-2025-coates-talent-league-round-11/

#11 Toby Sinnema
Wing | 180cm | 11/12/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s

While hit-or-miss at times, Sinnema delivered some sensational searing passes skewing the ball around his body. He looked dangerous when carving a way forward, darting around opponents with quick steps and proving hard to contain. With enough time and space, he was capable of picking out targets heading inside 50 and generating scores. Sinnema’s flair was also complimented by some hard efforts at the contest, though he looks best when able to utilise his speed on the outside.

I think we will pick him up no probs.

No 1ST arounder this year but we have our 2nd rounder plus our 3rd.

Loads of picks in the late 20's and picks in the 30's and 40s, will be sought after by clubs with academy and F/S bids.

Only a 10% discount applies down from 20%. Although the AFL will continue to review this.

Points are only allocated to the first 54 picks down from 73.

That means if he is not bid on in the 1st 54 picks we get him free.

Definitely. Sinnema is a very good young player. Not ready to go like a Langford or Lindsay but he’s one to add to our list and develop. Has the kicking ability that the MFC list needs.

19 hours ago, adonski said:

June 18 Notes
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/06/18/scouting-notes-2025-coates-talent-league-round-11/

#11 Toby Sinnema
Wing | 180cm | 11/12/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s

While hit-or-miss at times, Sinnema delivered some sensational searing passes skewing the ball around his body. He looked dangerous when carving a way forward, darting around opponents with quick steps and proving hard to contain. With enough time and space, he was capable of picking out targets heading inside 50 and generating scores. Sinnema’s flair was also complimented by some hard efforts at the contest, though he looks best when able to utilise his speed on the outside.

Searing kicks... I'm a Melbourne supporter, can someone please explain to me what these are?

19 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Searing kicks... I'm a Melbourne supporter, can someone please explain to me what these are?

searing for us usually means splitting the middle, between the goal and point posts.

On 20/06/2025 at 09:17, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Searing kicks... I'm a Melbourne supporter, can someone please explain to me what these are?

Piercing the hearts of faithful supporters?

Anybody got any updates on how he's travelling of late? Don’t see any mention of him in the champs or for the Stingrays.

Any updates on Prasard either?

4 minutes ago, Colm said:

Anybody got any updates on how he's travelling of late? Don’t see any mention of him in the champs or for the Stingrays.

Any updates on Prasard either?

Last update as of June 26

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

Scouting Notes: 2025 Coates Talent League - Round 12

Plenty of representative stars were in action during Round 12 of the Coates Talent League, and we focussed in on them for our Scouting Notes.

#11 Toby Sinnema
Wing/Midfielder | 180cm | 11/12/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Sinnema was sighted at the opening centre bounce but ended up spending plenty of time out on the wing. For a player with prominent outside traits, he proved he can scrap but looked much more dangerous away from congestion. The Melbourne NGA prospect displayed his dangerous step through traffic and wasn’t afraid to take on opponents, proving evasive on his way forward.

#4 Marcus Prasad
Small Forward | 167cm | 23/03/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Prasad’s ability to help Dandenong connect the middle and forward line was outstanding, as he worked hard up the ground and drilled creative passes inside 50. The bottom-ager injected speed and skill to the game, particularly after quarter time as he racked up the score involvements. Prasad also found the goals himself with a snap in term three and went on to spend time on the wing.

On 23/05/2025 at 08:34, Slartibartfast said:

Oh yes I would Dazzle. The system is broken. Every time a FS or Academy is taken ahead of you your pick is now one lower. We would have had Mills and we bid on Ashcroft.

We probably win a flag in 2023 if the Pies don’t have two Daicos boys. Win or lose, at least you’d know the system isn’t rigged.

Who knows if Viney was the reason we won in 2021, we might have been much better off or we might have missed the 8 in a fair draft system.

I believe the system is unfair and want it changed and whilst FS are romantic I think it’s a small price to pay for a better system.

We win 2023 with Melk and Gus

15 minutes ago, Colm said:

Anybody got any updates on how he's travelling of late? Don’t see any mention of him in the champs or for the Stingrays.

Any updates on Prasard either?

Sinnema played for VC on Sunday and didn't look too bad on the wing. Has good acceleration and pace and broke lines on occasion. Skills by foot looked decent, hand balling is a bit untidy at times though still to team advantage. Doesn't appear to be afraid of the contest but is definitely an outside player at this stage. Look forward to seeing the next few games.

Prasad seems to be playing well as a bottom ager at dandy but haven't personally watched a lot of him yet. I am hoping he will get a sneaky bottom age game at the champs considering SA have already wrapped up the title.

interesting what happens here if we sign Berry, is Mentha out? will we take Sinnema in the ND? will we move Mentha to an 'A' rookie. are you actually allowed 3 B rookies? i dont know

10 hours ago, Turner said:

interesting what happens here if we sign Berry, is Mentha out? will we take Sinnema in the ND? will we move Mentha to an 'A' rookie. are you actually allowed 3 B rookies? i dont know

I think Mentha is our only Cat B rookie atm. AMW was moved to a Cat A rookie this year.

I imagine Sinnema will be a late pick or even rookie selection.

#11 Toby Sinnema
Defender | 180cm | 11/12/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 clearances, 6 inside 60s

Sinnema’s development in the back half continued in this game, offering clean and composed ball use for his side when transitioning out of the defensive 50. He again pushed further afield to deliver to forwards close to goal, breaching the attacking 50 arc an equal game-high six times. 

Scouting NotesJuly 30, 2025

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

Scouting Notes: 2025 Coates Talent League - Round 16

Emerging under-agers and returning representative stars were among those to feature in our Round 16 Scouting Notes report.