1 hour ago, Roger Mellie said:

Like Samoa?

The problem with Samoa is that English is the second language. The AFL  rules Ah-Mu ineligible.

Strangely despite Samoa being a Rugby dominated country and under represented in the AFL we dipped out.

Does any one have knowledge of Toby's heritage?

 

I was introduced to Toby this morning. He’s 16yo and lives in Hampton Park. His mum is Chinese, his dad is Dutch. He’s hoping to be picked up by us in next year’s draft. He loves training with the boys, they’ve made him feel really welcome and he loves how far the coaches push them during training. He’ll be training again this Friday and again “a week after the holidays” which might mean on the 9th of January when they all resume or maybe he means the week following that one. He’s a well-spoken, friendly and polite kid. 

1 minute ago, Ghostwriter said:

I was introduced to Toby this morning. He’s 16yo and lives in Hampton Park. His mum is Chinese, his dad is Dutch. He’s hoping to be picked up by us in next year’s draft. He loves training with the boys, they’ve made him feel really welcome and he loves how far the coaches push them during training. He’ll be training again this Friday and again “a week after the holidays” which might mean on the 9th of January when they all resume or maybe he means the week following that one. He’s a well-spoken, friendly and polite kid. 

Thanks for the info! So does that mean he is available as an academy selection? Everyone is a little confused.

6 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

I was introduced to Toby this morning. He’s 16yo and lives in Hampton Park. His mum is Chinese, his dad is Dutch. He’s hoping to be picked up by us in next year’s draft. He loves training with the boys, they’ve made him feel really welcome and he loves how far the coaches push them during training. He’ll be training again this Friday and again “a week after the holidays” which might mean on the 9th of January when they all resume or maybe he means the week following that one. He’s a well-spoken, friendly and polite kid. 

Thanks GW.

Not sure if we have 100% clarity on this yet but do you know if is he eligible for us as to have priority selection? 

These rules can be ambiguous at times, particularly with the recent Ah-mu ineligibility.

Edit: beat me to it distraction jackson

Edited December 4, 20241 yr by Nascent

8 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Thanks for the info! So does that mean he is available as an academy selection? Everyone is a little confused.

That’s how he explained it. He made it sound so simple (how it should be) but you know, the AFL loves them an MFC shafting. I didn’t say that to him though. The poor boy’s so young. 

20 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Thanks for the info! So does that mean he is available as an academy selection? Everyone is a little confused.

As the rules currently stand:  Yes, if his Chinese mother was born overseas. 

He’s got talent. Pace was impressive in this years form.  Definitely would be a bonus if he was NGA eligible.   

Wasn't Harmsey from Devon Meadows?

After believing he was tied to us, then being told otherwise that he wasn’t (should’ve verified that info better) have just been told that Toby Sinnema is indeed tied to us and we will have priority/access to match a bid on him if he’s good enough in the 2025 draft👍🏼

2 hours ago, #11-TonyAnderson said:

Wasn't Harmsey from Devon Meadows?

Yep he is/was.

3 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

As the rules currently stand:  Yes, if his Chinese mother was born overseas. 

And if his Dutch Dad was born overseas as well?

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

And if his Dutch Dad was born overseas as well?

No.

The current rules require the player or at least one parent to be born in 'Asia' or 'Africa' (or have an indigenous background) for a club to have priority access.

Players from other backgrounds/countries can join an NGA Academy but the club doesn't get draft priority eg Tairon Ah-Mu

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

No.

The current rules require the player or at least one parent to be born in 'Asia' or 'Africa' (or have an indigenous background) for a club to have priority access.

Players from other backgrounds/countries can join an NGA Academy but the club doesn't get draft priority eg Tairon Ah-Mu

It feels stupid it’s limited to those specific regions… surely any nationality other than Australian should be considered. Wouldn’t we want to grow the game in many different potential nationalities? Especially when trying to compete with soccer and rugby.

4 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

No.

The current rules require the player or at least one parent to be born in 'Asia' or 'Africa' (or have an indigenous background) for a club to have priority access.

Players from other backgrounds/countries can join an NGA Academy but the club doesn't get draft priority eg Tairon Ah-Mu

Windmill racists.

16 hours ago, Redleg said:

And if his Dutch Dad was born overseas as well?

Should be - they had to learn to kick in clogs over there.

next years draft is looking good for the Dees

21 minutes ago, old55 said:

Should be - they had to learn to kick in clogs over there.

Not to mention avoiding all the canals and tulip gardens.

7 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Not to mention avoiding all the canals and tulip gardens.

Hard to avoid all the canals!  LOL, they would lob the ball high and long over the top, just as we do into the fwd line!  Might fit our team nicely !!

As an aside, Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Our 2025 NGA prospect picked up 22 disposals in Dandenongs win over Geelong in round 1. Not named in the bests however.

Our 2026 prospect small forward Marcus Prasad had 16 disposals and a goal.

For those still pining for Ah-mu, he kicked 1.1 from 11 disposals and 4 marks.

Haven't watched the game myself but replays are available on the Coates Talent League app and sometimes will be on YouTube.

22 minutes ago, Random Task said:

Our 2025 NGA prospect picked up 22 disposals in Dandenongs win over Geelong in round 1. Not named in the bests however.

is he available for us or have these new rules changed it again and we cant get him?

8 minutes ago, jaydenh10 said:

is he available for us or have these new rules changed it again and we cant get him?

I'm not aware of any rule changes that would make him unavailable for us.

Was named in Vic Country trial game against Metro last week.

#11 Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing | 180cm | 11/12/2007

Melbourne NGA

Sinnema put his running game on show, playing the wing role expertly to rack up plenty of outside possessions. He utilised the expanses of Avalon Airport Oval to hold his width and provide an outlet from the contest or in transitional kick-mark play. He often looked to move the ball on quickly and wasn’t afraid to go long on his favoured left foot. In a particularly productive first half, the Melbourne NGA hopeful dropped back to help bring fluency to his side’s forays forward.

31 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Was named in Vic Country trial game against Metro last week.

#11 Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing | 180cm | 11/12/2007

Melbourne NGA

Sinnema put his running game on show, playing the wing role expertly to rack up plenty of outside possessions. He utilised the expanses of Avalon Airport Oval to hold his width and provide an outlet from the contest or in transitional kick-mark play. He often looked to move the ball on quickly and wasn’t afraid to go long on his favoured left foot. In a particularly productive first half, the Melbourne NGA hopeful dropped back to help bring fluency to his side’s forays forward.

What's he like in the contest?

I'm really hoping he'll slot straight into the opposite wing to Langdon and release Lindsay and Windsor to permanent half back and midfield.

1 minute ago, Adam The God said:

What's he like in the contest?

I'm really hoping he'll slot straight into the opposite wing to Langdon and release Lindsay and Windsor to permanent half back and midfield.

He will do just that if he keeps up this rate of improvement. It’s a real interesting one as he’s clearly in the best for Dandi, but it will be interesting if the champs gets him in that late first early second discussion.

19 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

What's he like in the contest?

I'm really hoping he'll slot straight into the opposite wing to Langdon and release Lindsay and Windsor to permanent half back and midfield.

Contest work is fine as he's been thrown into the centre circle a few times. Plays the quarterback role really well and isn't afraid to go in and get his own footy as well.