We should be chasing the Irish

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

With our past success with Irish players and other clubs current success it is time to take another look.

[WonnaJurah 5]

o hailpin,begley, clarke,kennelly all good players good idea i say

[Freak 100]

I'd rather chase the athletes in the States. Some of the athletes playing college ball over there have the height of Dean Cox and the agility of Andrew Mcleod.

[Jarka 767]

I'd rather chase the athletes in the States. Some of the athletes playing college ball over there have the height of Dean Cox and the agility of Andrew Mcleod.

The problem with that is that the required athletes would need a certain level of skill to be able to learn our sport, nd if they're good enough to do that then there'd be good enough to succeed at their owns sports. So why leave your country to play a different sport when they can earn ten times more at home than we can afford?

The irish experiment worked so well because they're still amateur's and in alot of cases coming to Australia gives them more opportunities and the chance to make more money.

Sheedy went to the states after Barassi and co's success with the Irish, but it was an absolute failure. I'd prefer us looking at Africa, but now the other sport we're competing against is soccer, which is now reaching every country in the world.

[Go the Biff 3,442]

I'd rather chase the athletes in the States. Some of the athletes playing college ball over there have the height of Dean Cox and the agility of Andrew Mcleod.

We went to the States. Same time as the Irish experiment that gave us Earley, Stynes, Wight. We brought back a 16 - 17yo kid (Glen Ryan I think his name was) who was supposed to be a gun across a number of U.S. sports. Saw him interviewed on World of Sport & that was the last I ever heard or saw of him.

[Freak 100]

so like one guy and thats it?

Those college ballers with those kind of attributes can make it to the nba...others can earn a lot of money playing professional basketball in other countries. Many, however, will not earn much. And those guys should be targeted. And lets be honest, it's not that difficult to pick up the skills required to play our game. Richo is a prime example. I'm sure there would be hundreds of college bballers that are taller, quicker and more talent than Richo and could learn to kick a lot better.

But like has been previously said, why would athletes that are taller than Dean Cox and more agile than Mcleod choose afl?...well i guess thats why you target them after they haven't been recruited to the nba or any professional leagues that pay alot.

Just an idea

[Courtney_Fish 183]

I thought the club gave up trying to recruit overseas because the returns didn't warrant the effort. That's not to say we diddn't have some great successes but that overall the cost would have been better spent scouting here.

[Rivers Run Red 187]

o hailpin,begley, clarke,kennelly all good players good idea i say

It is a good idea but so do all the other 15 clubs, the irish imports will be tapped dry, and clubs will start picking up medeocre irish players with the hope of them coming good.

I'd say look into it, but dont invest too much money and time...

[MO FINE 171]

It is a good idea but so do all the other 15 clubs, the irish imports will be tapped dry, and clubs will start picking up medeocre irish players with the hope of them coming good.

I'd say look into it, but dont invest too much money and time...

The Irish experiment has proven successful for a number of clubs in recent times. However, our last Irishman Nick Walsh proved to be a failure. It orries me however, that money is a major consideration in abandoning the effort/ We're allowing clubs like Collingwood who have the money and already are faoured by an easier draw, to get the jump on us.

Same thing happening with NSW roookies - other clubs are light years ahead of us with players in the NSW Under 18 team (Second Divisiion premiers) ready to be drafted soon.

[Alan Smithee 0]

The Irish experiment has proven successful for a number of clubs in recent times. However, our last Irishman Nick Walsh proved to be a failure. It orries me however, that money is a major consideration in abandoning the effort

Its a reality the club faces and has no choice but to be conservative. 5th Avenue for the Pies. Dimmys for Melbourne.

Given the chronic financial woes of this club, what 'other' considerations would you suggest could override our decision not to go Irish again?

[joeboy 3,166]

What about looking at some of the Sudanese giants who are living here - not only are they tall and athletic , they apparently know how to look after themselves too

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

The Irish experiment has proven successful for a number of clubs in recent times. However, our last Irishman Nick Walsh proved to be a failure. It orries me however, that money is a major consideration in abandoning the effort/ We're allowing clubs like Collingwood who have the money and already are faoured by an easier draw, to get the jump on us.

Same thing happening with NSW roookies - other clubs are light years ahead of us with players in the NSW Under 18 team (Second Divisiion premiers) ready to be drafted soon.

Agree Mo, we will slip further behind if we cannot top up on class/talent like other clubs are doing with the Irish players. It will make for an uneven competition if all clubs cannot add to their talent/class banks.

Already the Cats and mags have a massive advantage over the other clubs via father/son. LKets not make it bigger by ignoring possible options such as Ireland.

We should get a couple of good players in the coming draft with our early picks but with Nietz, White and Macca to retire in the next 2 or 3 years it is a zero sume game.

If you recruit 3 good players each year it takes just over seven years to field that 22. It is darn hard to crack three a year unless you have some REAL luck. That is why all avenues must be explored.

[Alan Smithee 0]

What about looking at some of the Sudanese giants who are living here - not only are they tall and athletic , they apparently know how to look after themselves too

I like your thinking Joeboy. If that fails, maybe plan C is target the Sudras?

[deanox 9,989]

so like one guy and thats it?

Those college ballers with those kind of attributes can make it to the nba...others can earn a lot of money playing professional basketball in other countries. Many, however, will not earn much. And those guys should be targeted. And lets be honest, it's not that difficult to pick up the skills required to play our game. Richo is a prime example. I'm sure there would be hundreds of college bballers that are taller, quicker and more talent than Richo and could learn to kick a lot better.

But like has been previously said, why would athletes that are taller than Dean Cox and more agile than Mcleod choose afl?...well i guess thats why you target them after they haven't been recruited to the nba or any professional leagues that pay alot.

Just an idea

i think the point is that you need to get em young to teach em the game. you need to draft them at 17-18 so they can spend 2 years learning about afl before they are ready. at that age they are still hopeful of professional sport in america. say they don't get drafted and we snare em at 20-21, its 2 years before they are good enough and then they are 22-23. and there is still no guarantee. we can pick up an aussie at 17 and have a fair idea within 3 years...

[diesel 420]

And lets be honest, it's not that difficult to pick up the skills required to play our game. Richo is a prime example.

If it so easy then why do you suggest he struggles? In all honestly he really only struggles with his kicking.

Having played in Canada I can tell you that you will find blokes with good physical attributes who can get the ball but they are about as skillful with it as I was on pair of skates with a stick in my hand. I think you underestimating this aspect of the sport.

[deanox 9,989]

and in all honesty, richo has kicked over 700 career goals. his marking is phenomenal at times, and he has been known to kick it 60+ metres. if he was a more consistant kick he would have kicked 1000...

[Rogue 585]

I'd rather chase the athletes in the States. Some of the athletes playing college ball over there have the height of Dean Cox and the agility of Andrew Mcleod.

I heard Sheedy was going to the US at the end of the year.

Anyhow, I imagine there are a few reasons why going to Ireland is an easier(?) choice - gaelic footy is more similar to AFL, there's less money to make (amateurs still?), and they probably have a little exposure to AFL.

Can't hurt though.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Speaking of which...

Treasure Ireland

"If you don't make it quickly your confidence falls. But in saying that, now Australian football is more a running game and very similar to gaelic footy."

[Rogue 585]

Speaking of which...

Treasure Ireland

"If you don't make it quickly your confidence falls. But in saying that, now Australian football is more a running game and very similar to gaelic footy."

More excerpts:

Collingwood, Sydney, Carlton and Brisbane all continue their interest in Irish players, yet clubs such as Carlton and Melbourne concede their recruiting budgets only stretch so far.

The Bulldogs and Melbourne shared a camp in 2000 that brought across Walsh and Bernie Collins, another Irishman who never made the cut.

[beelzebub 23,383]

This is all truly very interesting. I think money will always be agaisnt us initlally with US draftees. BBall money is just stupid there.

I think there is one thign we are totally under-recognising here. The sheer athelticism of the average A grade footy player. Many game players from other climes and backgrounds will find it hard to play the game. e al ljust take it for granted. That near on 2 hours of huff and puff. No other game does that. Todays game doesnt allow for much hands on hips..its go go go !! I also feel that Africa is the great unknown. There are defintely the odd ball offering from teh States ( include Canucksville ).

My pick for the land of the great untapped..

CHINA !!