Not getting in on this argument, but the Ashcrofts are QLD'ers. Born and raised on the Gold Coast. Began in the Suns academy. Then their dad moved to Vic for work, so obviously the family moved with dad. Still, every summer school holidays, the kids would come back up the GC to spend the holidays staying with Grandma.Ultimately, Lance Franklin went on to play in 3 losing grand finals with Sydney, so his acquisition didn't exactly hurt his club's competitiveness.
Yes, I actually did forget about TK, lol. He's our biggest trade acquisition this century.
Losing him clearly didn't hinder Geelong though, did it? They went on to win the flag in 2022.
Just like losing Warner will get Swans something decent, perhaps even better, in return.
Cool.
You also just picked up the reigning BnF winner from Richmond, just last year.
Again, what does this have to do with homegrown talent if you're able to bring in A graders regardless?
You say this yet look at Brisbane.
They recruited Neale from Freo, who's a South Australian.
J. Daniher is Victorian.
Dunkley, another key contributor.
They managed to bring Charlie Cameron home from SA.
Then there's the 2 Vic brothers going by the name of Ashcroft in recent years, who both elected to move to Brisbane as F/S, instead of staying at home and being drafted to a Vic club.
So on top of being able to bring in elite talent from other clubs, 5 of which who aren't from Qld, they also have an academy to hoard homegrown talent to themselves.
The only 'level' playing field you need to look at is the AFL ladder.
Your mob may not have played finals yet but the other 3 are competing in(and winning) grand finals in the last decade.
It's pretty rich to try and claim that Northern clubs have some kind of disadvantage when the AFL is doing everything within their power to ensure they are at the point end come finals and let the WA and SA clubs rot.
Now the whole family is back in QLD since dad has left Sandringham.