Gawn is Australian born to Kiwi parents (brothers born in NZ). Also Heatherley was spotted in NZ in 2009 at least by Hawthorn. Long apprenticeship.
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Can AFL make a footprint in NZ?
- Thread starter Rich
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Gawn is Australian born to Kiwi parents (brothers born in NZ). Also Heatherley was spotted in NZ in 2009 at least by Hawthorn. Long apprenticeship.
Good spotting on Gawn.
While on this topic of NZ talent being picked up by AFL Clubs. There was bit of a rush of young NZ talent a while back but they have not made it into AFL ranks. There have been lots of comments on how the Australian AFL talent pool can be spread thinly at times however attempts to source talent Internationally have shall we say only had the occasional result to date.
But that is not the reason not to keep trying to improve the strike rate.
The Heatherley case is a remarkable story of 7 years? of perstistence by the Kurt AND the Hawthorn Club. Will other NZ recruits be prepared to do the same. AFL Draftees do not last that long on AFL Club lists one would think.
footyfuturist
Draftee
Aukland Orcas 2030 AFL Premiers?
A very brave call.
The AFL is trying very hard to get a suitable ENCLOSED ground for our game in Auckland eventually. According to NZ fans on here nothing on the horizon yet.
Some news from the Auckland Australian Football League last weekend.
The North Shore Tigers defeated University which reversed the G.F. Last year.
However this is the promising stuff---
With bursting player numbers in the AAFL, North Shore and Waitakere organised a 9 a side game in between the double header at Onepoto Domain. With great initiative shown by the league and the two teams, this is a positive step as the AAFL grows bigger with more exposure to the game through Television broadcast and the work AFL New Zealand do within the secondary schools around New Zealand’s biggest city.
This comp used to field league and reserves a while back, but now only league teams. Is this a genuine revival? We hope so.
The North Shore Tigers defeated University which reversed the G.F. Last year.
However this is the promising stuff---
With bursting player numbers in the AAFL, North Shore and Waitakere organised a 9 a side game in between the double header at Onepoto Domain. With great initiative shown by the league and the two teams, this is a positive step as the AAFL grows bigger with more exposure to the game through Television broadcast and the work AFL New Zealand do within the secondary schools around New Zealand’s biggest city.
This comp used to field league and reserves a while back, but now only league teams. Is this a genuine revival? We hope so.
Yes, it's great that Wellington saw the value the value in hosting Australian Football and now we're looking at Auckland which is a much more attractive proposition.
AFLNZ continues its activities with the 4 team 2017 New Zealand AFL Premiership by holding its draft for that comp, which will enter its second year in 2017.
These comments from the article below seem to indicate growth everywhere.
The national competition features over 120 players from ten regions with the majority of those already playing the sport in one of the four leagues nationwide.
What we dont know is -The playing standard is it going up with all of the coaching now at all levels. What is the feedback from the AFL Club scouts over there.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/11/21/regional-club-players-flood-the-2016-draft/
These comments from the article below seem to indicate growth everywhere.
The national competition features over 120 players from ten regions with the majority of those already playing the sport in one of the four leagues nationwide.
What we dont know is -The playing standard is it going up with all of the coaching now at all levels. What is the feedback from the AFL Club scouts over there.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2016/11/21/regional-club-players-flood-the-2016-draft/
This report from New Zealand is about a Soccer Football player who having played our game earlier in his life then switched to Soccer Football, and having finished with that sport returned to Aussie Rules. He hopes to get into the NZ Hawks Team for IC17.
There is a comment in the story about how most of the players in the Wellington Comp are from Rugby Union. We already knew this stuff has been going on
for several years so how does that benefit our game long term over there.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-...-halstead-turns-ruckman-in-afl-nz-premiership
There is a comment in the story about how most of the players in the Wellington Comp are from Rugby Union. We already knew this stuff has been going on
for several years so how does that benefit our game long term over there.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-...-halstead-turns-ruckman-in-afl-nz-premiership
- Moderator
- #159
AFL Club St Kilda continue their association with NZ footy by adding another Kiwi born player to their current stock of NZ players.
See link below ---
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2017/01/13/saints-recruit-kiwi-to-playing-list/
The Saints have not given up on their goal of setting up a base over there, and are exploring further options after the Wellington City Council arrangement was not renewed, which saw them play regular AFL matches in Wellington.
The bulk of the Club headed for NZ last December for their pre-season training, which keeps them in touch with their contacts over there.
The link below refers to the Saints hoping to play 2 games in 2018 on the proviso that a new Cricket facility will be built in Auckland.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...o-2018-games-in-auckland-20160531-gp8kcu.html
See link below ---
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2017/01/13/saints-recruit-kiwi-to-playing-list/
The Saints have not given up on their goal of setting up a base over there, and are exploring further options after the Wellington City Council arrangement was not renewed, which saw them play regular AFL matches in Wellington.
The bulk of the Club headed for NZ last December for their pre-season training, which keeps them in touch with their contacts over there.
The link below refers to the Saints hoping to play 2 games in 2018 on the proviso that a new Cricket facility will be built in Auckland.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...o-2018-games-in-auckland-20160531-gp8kcu.html
That was the ground the AFL Boss was referring to in his Press Club speech in Canberra mid last year. Obviously he has no influence in NZ if the above posting is correct.
There was talk of redeveloping the set up where AFLNZ will currently hold their upcoming Premiership Series.
- Feb 1, 2010
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- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC
A lot of work would need to be done to the current ground the premiership is held (currently no seating at all). Realistically that could in a few years become the country ground standard and be suitable for NAB Challenge games
The Annual Anzac Day match is on again in Wellington New Zealand.
The Kiwis will have to start winning these matches to get any traction/recognition.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2017/02/15/anzac-clash-returns-to-wellington/
The 2nd Season of the AFLNZ Premiership is underway, with the usual 4 team format comprised of players from 6 regions in New Zealand.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2017/02/13/...ns-in-opening-round-of-the-aflnz-premiership/
We have noticed that other International Footy followers recently have observed that the growth of the grassroots over there is a bit of a mystery. No Reserve teams in the Auckland League is one yard stick.
The Kiwis will have to start winning these matches to get any traction/recognition.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2017/02/15/anzac-clash-returns-to-wellington/
The 2nd Season of the AFLNZ Premiership is underway, with the usual 4 team format comprised of players from 6 regions in New Zealand.
http://aflnz.co.nz/blog/2017/02/13/...ns-in-opening-round-of-the-aflnz-premiership/
We have noticed that other International Footy followers recently have observed that the growth of the grassroots over there is a bit of a mystery. No Reserve teams in the Auckland League is one yard stick.
- Feb 1, 2010
- 39,162
- 19,823
- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC
Simply not enough adult interest to field a reserve league. Hard enough to even have all 6 sides field full teams each week. One team in particular regularly gets less than 18 a week. Quite a few others have too many but are in hot spots for where the game is wanted.
Will be suggesting once the premiership finishes that the 6th side is given help by the 3 who have 30+ but who knows how it will go. Also the focus on youth footy will eventually flow through into the local Comp once those 14-16 year olds are old enough to play
There were reserves once in Auckland but that was then and today is today.
The AFL Hawthorn Hawks started the Hawks Cup for the Primary and Secondary Schools in 2008 I think. That was 9 years ago and flow-ons not apparent it seems.
- Feb 1, 2010
- 39,162
- 19,823
- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC
that was a dump and run program that didnt do a whole lot
the old reserve grade from all reports was mainly young guys doubling up which is no different to what could be done now by 3-4 sides
- Feb 1, 2010
- 39,162
- 19,823
- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC
Yes and no. They got absolutely belted by the ais last year. Would say they'd get more playing alongside a past AFL player than just playing against future AFL players
I find it a little strange as well, but it's just one player out of 24.
I presume the idea is to give New Zealanders the opportunity of playing attacking football rather than defending football. Reminds me of the time when they had playing captain/coaches.
Garlic muncher
Cancelled
- Feb 3, 2016
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Limited footprint can be achieved, 1 or 2 players drafted every couple of years would be a huge win, there has been plenty of young blokes crossing the Tasman from time to time to play in community leagues here, but at the top level very few.
Community Teams sent from Australia to play and vice versa is the way to go ATM
Community Teams sent from Australia to play and vice versa is the way to go ATM
- Feb 1, 2010
- 39,162
- 19,823
- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC
There needs to be a proper development plan from the top. They're focusing on youth by getting the game played in schools. The afl needs to help aflnz and give talented 17-19 years a pathway into a tac cup setup rather than the pointless scholarship spot right onto a rookie list
- Moderator
- #173
Interesting. How would you work it?
- Feb 1, 2010
- 39,162
- 19,823
- AFL Club
- Carlton
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC
Get a the best few 16-18 year olds in the system a scholarship with a side like Sandy Dragons or Calder Cannons. Live and breathe footy culture in melbourne and see just how hard they've got to work and just how skilful and passionate locals are for the game. Would think they'd be better served spending 2-3 years at that age in a school & TAC Cup system followed by playing at a VFL club than just be lumped on St Kilda's rookie list
- Moderator
- #175
