International Rookie/Scholarships

[jatz14]

GWS have signed a 21 year old Danish guy to an international scholarship. Hawks have 5? Kiwis on scholarships and have committed to taking 2 of them as rookies already. NM have Eric Wallace. Richmond have signed Gideon Simon as a rookie. That is not even counting the Irish.

What is the upside here. It seems a good start and is still early days really.

Perhaps more importantly (in my view), is potential benefits for footy in the source countries. What benefit could AFLNZ make of it if Kurt Heatherley made it onto the main list in several years. It makes selling the various high performance pathways being set up overseas much easier if you can point to positive outcomes.

Not saying it will lead to massive boost in participation or support for the game elsewhere, but it should help keep driving the good steady growth that is occurring.

 

[fabulousphil]

Wont lead to massive boost, but will look very good in comparison to 10, 5 or even 2 years ago, i must admit though to be a bit dissapointed regarding SA, i would have though due to the numbers put through footywild that some kids ( more ) would have been rookie listed or even drafted.

Very slow process, but i don't think that anyone in the know really thought different.

 

[Putney Magpies]

Aksel bang is the name of the Danish guy.... Small and solid build player that is very very quick...

 

[fabulousphil]

Aksel bang is the name of the Danish guy.... Small and solid build player that is very very quick...

love the name.

 

[Dustin Credible]

i might be wrong on this. But both Gideon simon and Aksel Bang are the first two AFL players to have learnt the game outside of Australia. (rather than being converts from another sport).

If correct then personally think this is quite momentous for the international game.

 

[Hodge is God]

i might be wrong on this. But both Gideon simon and Aksel Bang are the first two AFL players to have learnt the game outside of Australia. (rather than being converts from another sport).

If correct then personally think this is quite momentous for the international game.

I have a feeling this Danish guy was just a publicity stunt.

There is next to no chance that he will actually play a game.

 

[jatz14]

I have a feeling this Danish guy was just a publicity stunt.

There is next to no chance that he will actually play a game.

A publicity stunt for who. Outside inner football circles, and forums of passionate supporters like this, how much publicity did this raise for GWS?

Next to no chance means some chance albeit small. If your Kevin Sheedy, and you can throw international footy a bone, without taking a spot that could have gone to a talented Aussie kid, and have a small chance of unearthing a natural talent at little cost, why the hell wouldnt you?

I know nothing about the guy other than he became europes best player in 2 years. His is the story I think that will become more common. An overseas player that has the attributes to suggest he could have been a star if raised in Aus with the game, but can an AFL club fast track his skills fast enough to make up the gap in time for him to make it. Its really an unknown at this stage. Sad to say that even if the can, he will never be the player he could have been if taking the game up earlier.

 

[Dustin Credible]

A publicity stunt for who. Outside inner football circles, and forums of passionate supporters like this, how much publicity did this raise for GWS?

Next to no chance means some chance albeit small. If your Kevin Sheedy, and you can throw international footy a bone, without taking a spot that could have gone to a talented Aussie kid, and have a small chance of unearthing a natural talent at little cost, why the hell wouldnt you?

I know nothing about the guy other than he became europes best player in 2 years. His is the story I think that will become more common. An overseas player that has the attributes to suggest he could have been a star if raised in Aus with the game, but can an AFL club fast track his skills fast enough to make up the gap in time for him to make it. Its really an unknown at this stage. Sad to say that even if the can, he will never be the player he could have been if taking the game up earlier.

Agreed. Identifying international talent is the one way clubs can get players by without the draft. The massive challenge is the talent identification.

 

[Cmarsh]

A publicity stunt for who. Outside inner football circles, and forums of passionate supporters like this, how much publicity did this raise for GWS?

Next to none. Even on the GWS board, the thread on this player has just a couple of comments.

 

[*Crash*]

Next to none. Even on the GWS board, the thread on this player has just a couple of comments.

Gotta give him a chance to come over and see how he develops. Thats exactly what GWS are doing.

Melbourne have tonight announced the latest International Scholarship going to Maia Westrupp from NZ.

 

[Putney Magpies]

I have a feeling this Danish guy was just a publicity stunt.

There is next to no chance that he will actually play a game.

Mate this guy is a gun.... Quickest guy I have seen play...

 

[*Crash*]

Mate this guy is a gun.... Quickest guy I have seen play...

Is that in all your football or just in Europe PM? Not going to out you - but I know you played at a pretty high level.

 

[Putney Magpies]

Comes from a football/soccer background but definitely has the potential to play at a high level... Only thing letting him down would be his skill level but that can be improved.. Very raw, has good awareness and you can train speed...

Gws will try and do anything to promote the code in western Sydney so I believe that this is a good ploy... They are prepared to try something different and have nothing to lose...

 

[Hodge is God]

Mate this guy is a gun.... Quickest guy I have seen play...

A gun is Denmark maybe.. Australiiaa..?

 

[Hodge is God]

A publicity stunt for who. Outside inner football circles, and forums of passionate supporters like this, how much publicity did this raise for GWS?

Next to no chance means some chance albeit small. If your Kevin Sheedy, and you can throw international footy a bone, without taking a spot that could have gone to a talented Aussie kid, and have a small chance of unearthing a natural talent at little cost, why the hell wouldnt you?

I know nothing about the guy other than he became europes best player in 2 years. His is the story I think that will become more common. An overseas player that has the attributes to suggest he could have been a star if raised in Aus with the game, but can an AFL club fast track his skills fast enough to make up the gap in time for him to make it. Its really an unknown at this stage. Sad to say that even if the can, he will never be the player he could have been if taking the game up earlier.

Giving AFL a bit of publicity in Denmark?

Showing that we can recruit from other countries?

I dunno, but it was a stupid idea in the first place. There is no chance he will compete at the top level, waste of money.

 

[Putney Magpies]

How would u know?

Same was said about mike pike....

 

[Hodge is God]

How would u know?

Same was said about mike pike....

Mike Pyke was a professional in Rugby. Knew what it took, had the strength to make it at the top level in Aussie Rules.

This Danish guy pretty much played the sport on the weekend for fun.

 

[Hodge is God]

I actually want this guy to succeed but I just can't see it happening.

 

[jatz14]

True about Mike Pike, but he was also older. Aksel has a `hook`, speed, and the advantage of having started playing Ausie rules as a teenager. If they put 3 years into him, he will still only be 24 (the age of Mike when he started).

 

[Barkly St End]

Mike Pyke was a professional in Rugby. Knew what it took, had the strength to make it at the top level in Aussie Rules.

This Danish guy pretty much played the sport on the weekend for fun.

It's a good point, and I agree the chances of success are slim, unless he is blessed with extraordinary natural ability (which is possible).

 

[coniglio_number1]

Anyone know where I can find a comprehensive list of all international scholarship holders? Particularly want to know if peni mahina and yoshi Harris are still with gws.

 

[fabulousphil]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/8633355/League-star-Tony-Tatupus-son-soars-in-AFL

With a Sherrin wedged under his right bicep and sporting Hawthorn's team colours, Shem Tatupu, a year 13 student at St Peters College in Mt Eden, Auckland, sets off on a primary school visit in Melbourne - an exercise in winning young hearts and minds.

 

[The_Wookie]

http://www.chicagofooty.com/a-swan-by-any-other-name/

Holmes is looking to emulate players like Canada’s Mike Pyke, Ireland’s Tadhg Kennelly and USA’s Eric Wallace to make an impact back in Australia. Jason’s 203cm frame has been a welcome sight down at Friday Night Metro games for all but the opposing ruckman. Winning almost every tap playing in the ruck, kicking four goals for the season and showing aggression through the packs to get the ball have shown his skills have come a long way in just three “Aussie Rules” footy matches.

 

[jatz14]

http://www.chicagofooty.com/a-swan-by-any-other-name/

Has now been picked up by the Saints http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-02/saints-sign-us-giant
Swans had already picked up Patrick Mitchell from the US.
Irishman Daniel Flynn picked up by Port
2 Kiwis come off the international list, and on to the main rookie list at Hawthorn.
Eric Wallace polled some Best and Fairest votes at NB Roosters, despite it being both his first season, and a short injury interrupted one at that.

Big year for internationals