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Yeah I was surprised, but I guess only so many mids you can put into the team so lucked out.
yes however the bigger problem would be the NSW side in the comp as right now Queensland is arguably carrying the bulk of the load. A Better option could be to make tassie have its own for the obvious they will need to have systems in place for when they start and the second being the distance is so much greater. mind you the national academy has a lot of people travelling from across Australia for a camp
how come?
I suppose in terms of needs he does fit the team.
What's needs got to do with anything?
I'm really curious about what other draft onlookers think - is Zeke Uwland really as good as they are letting on? These articles almost make it sound like he's clearly the best prospect in this draft class and is being hyped in a similar way to Nick Daicos. Fair or unjustified?
Family ties, Academy guns loom large in 2025 AFL Academy squad
The Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad has been revealed, with some familiar names among the 28 players selected
If Queensland continues to produce high level talent each year, then why not just copy what they do in the female U18 competition? Queensland becomes a standalone team and the Allies are made up of NSW, ACT, NT and Tasmania. That way you have six teams and you can avoid byes. I'm pretty sure Queensland would be stronger than Tasmania these days.
That's interesting. I have thought numerous times that the media is getting a bit carried away with Zeke and that potentially has to do with frustration surrounding the Suns Academy. From what I've seen, he's good but I don't think I'd say he's at the level you would expect from a predicted number 1 pick. Top 10 sure, but number 1 seems too high IMO.
The poster is referring to Zeke, not Kalani.
My mistake. Post edited and updated.
He's top 5 for sure. But think its hard to say if there is a clear #1 at this point. As we know, academy or FS prospects rarely go #1
Maybe it will be a bit like Nick Daicos? There didn't appear to be 100% consensus on who was number 1 between Horne-Francis and Daicos, but JHF went number 1 because North wanted the number 1 pick on their own list and Daicos consequently slid. Wouldn't be surprised to see whichever club finishes last next year (probably Richmond) doing the same thing if Uwland is a line ball decision with another player. I think if the Allies win the national championships AND Zeke has a big carnival, then there's a chance that it may happen. However, a lot will have to go right for Zeke IMO.
I think you hit the nail on the head with the hype being more based on the media's obsession/frustration with the Gold Coast academy. As well as just a generally superficial analysis that we get about future drafts.
In the end, 1, 2 5, or 50, I don't think it really matters. Its just a number that quickly gets forgotten once you enter the AFL system.
Seems that way and that's pretty unprofessional if it's true. Personally, I'd like to see Zeke develop into the best player he possibly can be and if that means he's bid on with pick 1 then so be it. We've prepared for that possibility by trading in several 2025 draft picks.
Depends. I know this isn't what you were meaning with your response, but if you were the coach of Collingwood and you drafted pick 1 + pick 50 and both were showing the same level of ability in preseason, which one are you picking to debut in round 1 if you only have one spot available? I'm pretty sure most are prioritising pick 1 because there's a natural assumption that the ceiling of pick 1 is much higher than pick 50.
i think Zeke Uwland is a top 10 on potential, he was good last year as a 173cm hbf, now hes 178cm and stepping up a level, i think Dyson Sharp has been a clear pick 1 prospect for awhile, time will tell if that continues, guys like Rodriguez from WA who popped up in this years u18s as a top prospect, Oliver Greeves who has been good for awhile and Ludowyke who has a lot of potential with his height, athleticism, marking ability, jumping ability and goal kicking ability at Sandringham which he didnt manage to showcase in the futures game on GF Day could go highish? then theres prospects like Duff-Tytler who has played very well as a KPD for VM and part time ruck at Calder, Curtins little brother is playing well and presents as another good tall prospect as a KPD, its hard to make solid calls as most of the information you pick up on them comes in their draft year, but there seems to be some depth of talent, Victoria seems a little light on top talent which is why some clubs may be a little concerned about next year, but the Allies and WA seem to have strong depth of talent.
Of course. Just saying to kids it shouldn't matter, because its just a number after all. But obviously the lower picks generally need more development than those at the top end.
