Academy: Gold Coast SUNS Gun Factory

[SunsBhoy]

http://www.aflq.com.au/academy-update/


Gold Coast have one win, while the Lions have two, after the first three rounds of the NAB under 18 Academy Series.

SUNS tough midfielder Jacob Dawson has drawn the eye of recruiters, with his ability to find the football and his work in contested situations across the first three games.

Dawson’s bottom age teammate Bailey Scott, son of former North Melbourne and Geelong player Robert Scott has also had a standout start to the series. The young midfielder featured prominently in games against the Lions and Swans, getting plenty of the ball and showing a capacity to go forward.

Scott can’t be drafted this year, but is eligible as a father son or academy recruit, to Gold Coast, Geelong and North Melbourne next year.

Damien Burke and Shawn Watson are the only two SUNS forwards to kick big bags so far, Burke kicked five and Watson four in the SUNS win over the Giants.

Dawson is another Palm Beach boy , i liken him to a Fiorini as in not terribly fast but has a knack of finding the footy.

 

[Matchu]

Dawson is another Palm Beach boy , i liken him to a Fiorini as in not terribly fast but has a knack of finding the footy.

According to AFL.com.au, Dawson is 182cms and 80kgs. To put that in perspective, Andrew Swallow is exactly the same height and weight so Dawson may have already developed to a point where he can physically compete with the men. He played quite a bit for the Suns NEAFL team last year as an underager (12 games) and was given the opportunity to return to the QAFL for Palmy's run to the QAFL grand final (3 games). Although PBC didn't win the GF, both he and now Suns player Max Spencer got the experience of playing in a senior grand final last year, which is an experience you can't buy in terms of development for 16/17 year olds. They also took PBC to school glory last year by winning the QLD Schools Cup grand final over Helensvale. Crossley and Foster were also a part of that victorious PBC school team.

I wonder if Chad Owens is on the pay roll at GCFC? He seems to be producing a lot of players of late and he's juggling the unenviable task of coaching both the PBC QAFL seniors and high school seniors simultaneously. As tempting as it may sound to hire Owens as an academy coach, I actually think it's better if he stays with PBC. They have a winning formula and shouldn't risk ruining that.

 

[Matchu]

I think it's also important to note that the QFA Northern Rivers competition and the AFL North Coast competitions have undergone a semi-merger this year and for the first time will cross over this weekend. The following matches will occur this weekend:

Ballina (NR) v Coffs Harbours (NC)
Lismore (NR) v Sawtell-Toormina (NC)
Grafton (NC) v Byron Bay (NR)
Port Macquarie (NC) v Tweed Coast (NR)

Based on the early rounds of the draw, it looks like they cross over every three weeks and remain in their own region other weeks. The ladder includes all eight teams so I can only assume that means they will be competing in a finals series together later this year. The really interesting thing about this new hybrid league is that half the teams are based in the Suns academy zone and the other half are based in the Swans academy zone. The Swans have recently put quite a bit of effort into developing the game in the Coffs Harbour region so it can only be a good thing for Northern Rivers teams to compete with them on a regular basis.

We've really only seen Jarred Ellis come out of the Northern Rivers region so it's a relatively untapped resource for the Suns.

 

[OB11]

According to AFL.com.au, Dawson is 182cms and 80kgs. To put that in perspective, Andrew Swallow is exactly the same height and weight so Dawson may have already developed to a point where he can physically compete with the men. He played quite a bit for the Suns NEAFL team last year as an underager (12 games) and was given the opportunity to return to the QAFL for Palmy's run to the QAFL grand final (3 games). Although PBC didn't win the GF, both he and now Suns player Max Spencer got the experience of playing in a senior grand final last year, which is an experience you can't buy in terms of development for 16/17 year olds. They also took PBC to school glory last year by winning the QLD Schools Cup grand final over Helensvale. Crossley and Foster were also a part of that victorious PBC school team.

I wonder if Chad Owens is on the pay roll at GCFC? He seems to be producing a lot of players of late and he's juggling the unenviable task of coaching both the PBC QAFL seniors and high school seniors simultaneously. As tempting as it may sound to hire Owens as an academy coach, I actually think it's better if he stays with PBC. They have a winning formula and shouldn't risk ruining that.

Sounds like we should sling him a few bucks to hire a development coach to work with him in his current role

 

[SunsBhoy]

I wonder if Chad Owens is on the pay roll at GCFC? He seems to be producing a lot of players of late and he's juggling the unenviable task of coaching both the PBC QAFL seniors and high school seniors simultaneously. As tempting as it may sound to hire Owens as an academy coach, I actually think it's better if he stays with PBC. They have a winning formula and shouldn't risk ruining that.

I coach one of the junior teams at Palm Beach and to be fair Chad Owens does'nt even see these boys , when they show talent even as young as 12 the Suns take them a couple of times a month and train them at Metricon under Malcheski and Raines , they still play with us on weekends . Quite a lot of boys are also in the excellance program across the road from Salk at PBC which helps there devolpment as they are trained harder there then they are with us. Because the junior and senior club never see each other Owens would never see them coming through unless picked for seniors and by that stage they have done many years rep footy and many years for the Suns.

 

[Matchu]

I coach one of the junior teams at Palm Beach and to be fair Chad Owens does'nt even see these boys , when they show talent even as young as 12 the Suns take them a couple of times a month and train them at Metricon under Malcheski and Raines , they still play with us on weekends . Quite a lot of boys are also in the excellance program across the road from Salk at PBC which helps there development as they are trained harder there then they are with us. Because the junior and senior club never see each other Owens would never see them coming through unless picked for seniors and by that stage they have done many years rep footy and many years for the Suns.

Interesting read from someone on the inside. Would it be fair to say that Palm Beach are starting to steal juniors Southport style purely because they are the only southern GC team in the QAFL? I know Dawson was a Burleigh junior (as was Crossley) and now he plays for Palmy and attended PBC High. Jesse Joyce was a Cooly junior and ended up playing for the Palmy Lions and attending PBC High as well. That's just two examples and I'm sure there are plenty more.

Owens would presumably see most of the sports ex kids because he's the PBC school coach as well. I can only assume that's why he allowed Brad Scheer to make his senior QAFL debut at 15. It's quite a unique situation to have both club and school footy teams so closely linked and it's obviously working if you look at the amount of players Palmy are producing at the moment.

 

[Sunraysia]

According to AFL.com.au, Dawson is 182cms and 80kgs. To put that in perspective, Andrew Swallow is exactly the same height and weight so Dawson may have already developed to a point where he can physically compete with the men. He played quite a bit for the Suns NEAFL team last year as an underager (12 games) and was given the opportunity to return to the QAFL for Palmy's run to the QAFL grand final (3 games). Although PBC didn't win the GF, both he and now Suns player Max Spencer got the experience of playing in a senior grand final last year, which is an experience you can't buy in terms of development for 16/17 year olds. They also took PBC to school glory last year by winning the QLD Schools Cup grand final over Helensvale. Crossley and Foster were also a part of that victorious PBC school team.

I wonder if Chad Owens is on the pay roll at GCFC? He seems to be producing a lot of players of late and he's juggling the unenviable task of coaching both the PBC QAFL seniors and high school seniors simultaneously. As tempting as it may sound to hire Owens as an academy coach, I actually think it's better if he stays with PBC. They have a winning formula and shouldn't risk ruining that.

Not quite right - Max Spencer is 2 years older than Foster ,Crossley,Dawson - certainly didn't play school football last year.

 

[Sunraysia]

Interesting read from someone on the inside. Would it be fair to say that Palm Beach are starting to steal juniors Southport style purely because they are the only southern GC team in the QAFL? I know Dawson was a Burleigh junior (as was Crossley) and now he plays for Palmy and attended PBC High. Jesse Joyce was a Cooly junior and ended up playing for the Palmy Lions and attending PBC High as well. That's just two examples and I'm sure there are plenty more.

Owens would presumably see most of the sports ex kids because he's the PBC school coach as well. I can only assume that's why he allowed Brad Scheer to make his senior QAFL debut at 15. It's quite a unique situation to have both club and school footy teams so closely linked and it's obviously working if you look at the amount of players Palmy are producing at the moment.

Scheer predates Owens - in many interviews he has credited Darryn Creswell for his introduction into senior football with PBC...not sure he has even played a game at PBC with Owens as coach?

 

[Matchu]

Not quite right - Max Spencer is 2 years older than Foster ,Crossley,Dawson - certainly didn't play school football last year.

My mistake. Dawson competed for PBC at both QAFL and school level last year; whereas Spencer only competed for the PBC QAFL team.

Scheer predates Owens - in many interviews he has credited Darryn Creswell for his introduction into senior football with PBC...not sure he has even played a game at PBC with Owens as coach?

If I'm not mistake, Owens was PBC's assistant coach at the time that Scheer debuted for the seniors and then took over as head coach the following year but you are right - Creswell was the head coach in 2014. I don't think Scheer played for PBC at all last year but I'm unsure if he played for Palmy in 2015. Anyway, Owens has been the head coach of PBC's QAFL team since the beginning of 2015 and the club has since produced AFL players Jesse Joyce, Brad Scheer and Max Spencer. Owens was also awarded the QAFL Coach of the Year Award in 2016 so he's obviously a pretty good coach.

PBC started their 2017 season well in round 1 last weekend with a 38-point away victory over Morningside. Defending premiers Labrador belted Surfers Paradise by 75 points and Broadbeach had a bye. The Academy Series returns this weekend too.

 

[Sunraysia]

My mistake. Dawson competed for PBC at both QAFL and school level last year; whereas Spencer only competed for the PBC QAFL team.

If I'm not mistake, Owens was PBC's assistant coach at the time that Scheer debuted for the seniors and then took over as head coach the following year but you are right - Creswell was the head coach in 2014. I don't think Scheer played for PBC at all last year but I'm unsure if he played for Palmy in 2015. Anyway, Owens has been the head coach of PBC's QAFL team since the beginning of 2015 and the club has since produced AFL players Jesse Joyce, Brad Scheer and Max Spencer. Owens was also awarded the QAFL Coach of the Year Award in 2016 so he's obviously a pretty good coach.

PBC started their 2017 season well in round 1 last weekend with a 38-point away victory over Morningside. Defending premiers Labrador belted Surfers Paradise by 75 points and Broadbeach had a bye. The Academy Series returns this weekend too.

Like the story - just had to pull you up on a few small factual errors....no offence. Working with Palmy Reserves this year think we will do OK !

 

[Matchu]

Like the story - just had to pull you up on a few small factual errors....no offence. Working with Palmy Reserves this year think we will do OK !

That's fair enough. It's always good to have factually correct information.

Interesting that another BF member is working for PBC. In your opinion, are there any stars coming through PBC beyond the kids that are draft eligible this year (like Dawson) or has the club just about punched all its tickets in terms of producing AFL talent? Obviously we know the standout next year is supposed to be Bailey Scott but he's playing for Broadbeach.

 

[Matchu]

Classy mid gets GC Academy home over Tassie
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-29/u18s-classy-mid-gets-academy-home-over-tassie
AN INFLUENTIAL display from Brodie Foster helped the Gold Coast Academy to a 14-point win against Tasmania at Fankhauser Reserve in Queensland on Saturday.

Foster picked up 25 disposals, seven clearances and kicked a goal as an inside midfielder. He stood up when Tasmania hit the lead early in the last quarter and was a constant presence all day.

A natural footballer, Foster can also play as a small defender and understands the game well.

Exciting Tasmanian product Harry Pearce kicked 4.3 and collected 16 disposals.

A badly broken leg in the first round of last year's state season ruined his draft year but Pearce's speed and nose for goal will make recruiters keep an eye on him.

Gold Coast backman Jacob Heron finished with 16 disposals, five tackles and four rebound-50s.

From Cairns, Heron was important in setting up his side out of defence, providing run and using the ball well.

His teammate Caleb Graham also impressed in the backline. A taller, rangy type, Graham went for his marks and took several contested grabs. He notched up 13 disposals and five marks.

For Tasmania, Hugh Dixon battled hard in the forward line for his 18 disposals and two goals. His agility for a big man and marking are two of his more noticeable attributes.

Dixon often brought the ball to ground, creating chances for the likes of Pearce.

In defence, Jake Hinds offered clean skills on both sides of his body on his way to 19 disposals, eight marks and four rebound-50s.

Hinds' balance between attack and defence would have pleased the scouts.

GOLD COAST ACADEMY 3.5 5.7 7.10 11.11 (77)
TASMANIA 1.2 5.5 7.6 9.9 (63)

GOALS
Gold Coast Academy: Bowie 3, Arnold 2, Foster, Crossley, Simington, Charlesworth, Burke, Hombsch
Tasmania: Pearce 4, Mundy 2, Dixon 2, Jones

BEST
Gold Coast Academy: Heron, Simington, Foster, Bowie, Crossley, Graham
Tasmania: Dixon, Mundy, Donnelly, Jones, Pearce, Hinds

Big game from Brodie Foster (Surfers Paradise) gets the Suns Academy over the line against Tasmania and he has been labeled a "natural footballer" that is capable of playing as a small defender as well as a midfielder. Crossley named in the bests for the Suns which is encouraging and the article also mentions Cairns product Jacob Heron as a standout in the defensive 50.

The Suns Academy face Northern Territory next week in the last round of the Academy Series. Would be good to see these guys continue their form so they increase their chances of being selected for the Allies in a little over a month.

 

[Deleted member 2402071]

2 games of U18 academy footy tomorrow at Broadbeach Football Club.

Round 5

Suns v NT @ 12.30pm

Lions v GWS @ 10am

 

[Matchu]

2 games of U18 academy footy tomorrow at Broadbeach Football Club.

Round 5

Suns v NT @ 12.30pm

Lions v GWS @ 10am

It's the last round of the Academy Series and then the Allies team will be chosen to compete in the Div I National Championships next month. Crossley should be one of the first players chosen as I believe he's the best ruckman playing in the Academy Series and then beyond that the Suns may have a few mids/small forwards selected but nothing overly exciting at this point.

Good to see another academy success story with Brad Scheer making his AFL debut tonight. Bowes debuted in the first game he was available, Joyce had to wait 10 games to debut and now Scheer only having to wait six games. The two Palm Beach boys in Scheer and Joyce will be getting plenty of support from the crowd tonight. Three academy graduates debuting in less than 12 months is pretty impressive!

Probably also worth noting that Cooper Portelli (AKA Super Cooper) is debuting for the Suns NEAFL side today at 16 years of age.

 

[Ben Drever]

Suns get the win.
Burke kicks 6..

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-06/burkes-bag-gets-gold-coast-academy-home

 

[Matchu]

Suns get the win.
Burke kicks 6..

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-06/burkes-bag-gets-gold-coast-academy-home

It wasn't a fluke either. He kicked a bag of five against the GWS Academy about a month ago. That's a total of 12 goals over the five Academy Series games - pretty good return. Burke is 188cms tall and hails from Hopevale up in the Cape so it's good to see a talented indigenous QLD player coming through. I would have thought he'll probably get picked for the Allies now considering the amount of goals he kicked over the series.

He was also a member of the AFL Cape York House programme back in the day.

 

[gcsunsfc]

It wasn't a fluke either. He kicked a bag of five against the GWS Academy about a month ago. That's a total of 12 goals over the five Academy Series games - pretty good return. Burke is 188cms tall and hails from Hopevale up in the Cape so it's good to see a talented indigenous QLD player coming through. I would have thought he'll probably get picked for the Allies now considering the amount of goals he kicked over the series.

He was also a member of the AFL Cape York House programme back in the day.

Thats amazing he's from Hopevale.
I've worked a bit up in the cape and been there.

The name is a complete misnomer.
Good on him. Will be an amazing story if he makes it.

 

[Matchu]

Thats amazing he's from Hopevale.
I've worked a bit up in the cape and been there.

The name is a complete misnomer.
Good on him. Will be an amazing story if he makes it.

It's a credit to the hard work going on up north and the AFL Cape York House in particular. These indigenous kids from remote areas of Cape York, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait Islands now have a pathway into the AFL thanks to the Cape York Eagles set up in Cairns. These kids move to Cairns at a young age and are taught vital life skills and are educated in ways that wouldn't have been available had they stayed in their hometowns. Obviously they also play football and actually compete in the AFL Cairns junior competitions. The sacrifice is real for these kids as they are asked to move away at a young age but graduates will be better for it even if they don't make it in the AFL because they can return home with skills that can make a difference in their remote communities.

Anyway, it would be great if Burke made it. In regards to indigenous talent from Queensland at the Suns, we've really only seen Jarrod Harbrow and Rex Liddy (both from Cairns) but it's pretty unfair to compare the two situations because Cairns would never be considered remote. There's also a Torres Strait Island boy who played for the Suns Academy this year named Timakoi Bowie but he didn't perform as well as Burke and I doubt he will be picked for the Allies.

 

[Deleted member 2402071]

Academy ticking along nicely.

 

[Deleted member 2402071]

Brodie Foster voted our MVP.

 

[Matchu]

Potentially huge academy news (albeit in 2035) with Barry Hall and Lauren Brant giving birth to son Miller Hall on the Gold Coast two days ago. The couple are apparently Gold Coast-based now so this could obviously mean Miller might end up in the Suns academy one day if they stay settled on the Gold Coast. Baz only played 100 games or more for Sydney so it might not be that hard to convince Miller to turn his back on the father-son opportunities at the Swans. That's obviously very long term but it's good to know there are talented footballers settling on the Coast and having kids that may go through the Suns academy.

 

[SunsBhoy]

It's a credit to the hard work going on up north and the AFL Cape York House in particular. These indigenous kids from remote areas of Cape York, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait Islands now have a pathway into the AFL thanks to the Cape York Eagles set up in Cairns. These kids move to Cairns at a young age and are taught vital life skills and are educated in ways that wouldn't have been available had they stayed in their hometowns. Obviously they also play football and actually compete in the AFL Cairns junior competitions. The sacrifice is real for these kids as they are asked to move away at a young age but graduates will be better for it even if they don't make it in the AFL because they can return home with skills that can make a difference in their remote communities.

Anyway, it would be great if Burke made it. In regards to indigenous talent from Queensland at the Suns, we've really only seen Jarrod Harbrow and Rex Liddy (both from Cairns) but it's pretty unfair to compare the two situations because Cairns would never be considered remote. There's also a Torres Strait Island boy who played for the Suns Academy this year named Timakoi Bowie but he didn't perform as well as Burke and I doubt he will be picked for the Allies.

There's a young boy from up North to keep an eye on called Emmanuel Baru , who was a rugby league state rep but has changed to AFL recently , has a heap of x factor , kicked 2-3 goals in his only appearance for our NEAFL team , one to watch.

 

[Matchu]

There's a young boy from up North to keep an eye on called Emmanuel Baru , who was a rugby league state rep but has changed to AFL recently , has a heap of x factor , kicked 2-3 goals in his only appearance for our NEAFL team , one to watch.

I'm sure he's very talented but he didn't appear to put his best foot forward in the Academy Series. Managed just one goal for the series and wasn't named in the bests in any of the games. Burke (Hopevale) and Bowie (Badu Island) definitely outperformed him in the Academy Series. Generally speaking, you probably need to make the Allies team to have a chance at being drafted and I doubt Baru is going to make it. I'd be happy to be proven wrong though.

 

[TheSunGod]

Potentially huge academy news (albeit in 2035) with Barry Hall and Lauren Brant giving birth to son Miller Hall on the Gold Coast two days ago. The couple are apparently Gold Coast-based now so this could obviously mean Miller might end up in the Suns academy one day if they stay settled on the Gold Coast. Baz only played 100 games or more for Sydney so it might not be that hard to convince Miller to turn his back on the father-son opportunities at the Swans. That's obviously very long term but it's good to know there are talented footballers settling on the Coast and having kids that may go through the Suns academy.

Clearly going to play for the Suns after being named after Touk

 

[Deleted member 2402071]

Initial U18's Allies squad released. Nice group of Suns.