WAFL 2011 Off Season Gossip

[bbay]

The addition of Pettifer, Polak and Smith fills holes in the squad.

Throw in Kane Bloxsidge and Danny Chartres as well.

 

[Eagle_boy]

Gary Moss has joined the mighties although flabergasted he wasn't picked up by either of the local AFL teams.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/8486012/moss-rolls-into-the-royals/

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Anyone know when the mini-draft is?

Order should be:
Perth
Peel
South Freo
Subiaco
West Perth
Perth
Peel
South Freo
Subiaco

Players available:
Faulks
Pitt
Michie
Mellington
Anthony
Roberts
Lower
Gaff
Lycett

Think I've got that right.

 

[swannies]

Gary Moss has joined the mighties although flabergasted he wasn't picked up by either of the local AFL teams.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/8486012/moss-rolls-into-the-royals/

Add Hutchings to that list, who I really rate and more flabergasted he isn't still on a list than Moss.

Fivey, the reverse draft is held in January some time, quite late IIRC from last year.

 

[rednblacks]

Anyone know when the mini-draft is?

Order should be:
Perth
Peel
South Freo
Subiaco
West Perth
Perth
Peel
South Freo
Subiaco

Players available:
Faulks
Pitt
Michie
Mellington
Anthony
Roberts
Lower
Gaff
Lycett

Think I've got that right.

Incorrect. The order of the reverse draft is;

Perth
Peel
Peel
Perth - then others in order of ladder
SF
Subi
WP
Perth
Peel

So Perth and Peel will end up with 3 each and the others just 1.

 

[Bangas]

How many games did Jake Wooden play this year? Is he any good on the field?

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Incorrect. The order of the reverse draft is;

Perth
Peel
Peel
Perth - then others in order of ladder
SF
Subi
WP
Perth
Peel

So Perth and Peel will end up with 3 each and the others just 1.

Priority picks hey? Is that a new development?

 

[rednblacks]

Well the competition is an uneven one and has been for decades, particularly over the last 10 years with Peel and Perth being regular battlers down near the bottom of the ladder. The WAFC recognizes they need a hand though I don't believe giving them more AFL allocated players is the way to go. They have given Peel an extra concession by allowing them to have 1 extra interstate recruit to the value of 12 points over the 130 point limit.

The problem with that is Peel probably can't afford it anyway. Something needs to be done because it is not healthy for the competition to have 2 sides regularly down the bottom.

 

[gytre]

Well the competition is an uneven one and has been for decades, particularly over the last 10 years with Peel and Perth being regular battlers down near the bottom of the ladder. The WAFC recognizes they need a hand though I don't believe giving them more AFL allocated players is the way to go. They have given Peel an extra concession by allowing them to have 1 extra interstate recruit to the value of 12 points over the 130 point limit.

The problem with that is Peel probably can't afford it anyway. Something needs to be done because it is not healthy for the competition to have 2 sides regularly down the bottom.

I disagree with you. I think the competition is even. All clubs are subject to the same rules and to the salary cap. All clubs have recruiting zones with similar population sizes. I think you'll find that over the last twenty years all of the clubs have struggled at one point or another. If Perth and Peel can't get their acts together and rise significantly up the ladder it would be because there's something lacking at those football clubs, not because the competition is inherently uneven.

 

[pacemaker]

I just think Peel need to grow a heart. They have enough talented players and just need 2 Markquee players to help them out.

 

[rednblacks]

I disagree with you. I think the competition is even. All clubs are subject to the same rules and to the salary cap. All clubs have recruiting zones with similar population sizes. I think you'll find that over the last twenty years all of the clubs have struggled at one point or another. If Perth and Peel can't get their acts together and rise significantly up the ladder it would be because there's something lacking at those football clubs, not because the competition is inherently uneven.

I don't disagree with any of that but the fact is some clubs have financial advantages over others.

Subiaco have enjoyed the luxury of making profits of half a million dollars a year to in excess of 1 million dollars for several years with their lease hold on Subiaco Oval since they were forced to relocate.

SF get financial benefits from sharing their ground with Fremantle and they own their clubrooms outright and derive very good income from their location as a result.

SD have huge backing from BHP which is allowing them to spend up big off the field and I think their income now tops the WAFL.

Claremont has enjoyed the luxury of being located in the heart of the wealthiest suburbs in Perth and the local private schools. These kids grow up with the best of everything available to them. There are not too many disadvantaged and struggling families in those suburbs.

EP have a president who is a part owner of the biggest Automotive group in WA and possibly Australia. AHG Holdings owns around 80% of the WA car market and he is flexing his financial might to the fullest this off season by pulling off the biggest recruiting campaign by any club for many years. They have signed Josh Smith (delisted by NM and originally from WP), Graham Polak (delisted by Richmond and orig from EF) and Kane Petiffer (delisted by Richmond and I think a former top 10 pick).

It was also rumoured they had picked up Danny Chartres and Kane Bloxidge from Peel though I think EP have denied this. They are favourites for the flag already based on this recruiting splurge and their 3rd place finish this year.

After that I can't explain why the likes of EF and WP continually out perform Perth and Peel. EF have the richest junior zone in the country backed up by draft evidence. Their zone seems to be rich with AFL talent though it doesn't seem to be to their advantage in the WAFL at times in the last 10 years.

WP to their credit either make the four or just miss out each and every year yet they are one of the poorest clubs off the field.

I am a Perth supporter and i have long criticised the clubs administration and board for bad planning and management and I think that's the area they have lacked in. It seems that might be about to change with some major off field changes at board level and others put on notice. They have decided to follow Claremonts lead and appoint a former colts coach as head coach and it remains to be seen if this is a good move.

Peel have trouble holding onto good players and the main reason is their location. Once a player lands a job in Perth he probably wants to live there and then traveling to Mandurah to train and play home games becomes a big issue.

 

[EaglesFlyingHigh]

I just think Peel need to grow a heart. They have enough talented players and just need 2 Markquee players to help them out.

No, the WAFL really need to look at ways to make them a force

 

[pacemaker]

No, the WAFL really need to look at ways to make them a force

No they have helped them out enough, need to find a way to help themselves from here..

 

[basalt]

I disagree with you. I think the competition is even. All clubs are subject to the same rules and to the salary cap. All clubs have recruiting zones with similar population sizes. I think you'll find that over the last twenty years all of the clubs have struggled at one point or another. If Perth and Peel can't get their acts together and rise significantly up the ladder it would be because there's something lacking at those football clubs, not because the competition is inherently uneven.

If you think the zones are even you wouldnt mind if east perth had claremonts zone and you could have east perths zone.

As a comparison claremont has had something like 100+ players drafted to the AFL compared to east perths less than 50.

Since about 1980 when the zones where substantially changed (both metro and country) to assist primarily Claremont and Subiaco who where then perennial bottom dwellars Claremont has participated in 15 grandfinals (every second year)and Subiaco 12 in 30 years (almost every second year) compared to east perths 4 and perths nil.

If you want a fairer competition get rid of zones. Development of football is a WAFL responsibility and should not be left to individual clubs who have different agendas at different times due to their individual circumstances.

 

[swannies]

If you think the zones are even you wouldnt mind if east perth had claremonts zone and you could have east perths zone.

As a comparison claremont has had something like 100+ players drafted to the AFL compared to east perths less than 50.

Since about 1980 when the zones where substantially changed (both metro and country) to assist primarily Claremont and Subiaco who where then perennial bottom dwellars Claremont has participated in 15 grandfinals (every second year)and Subiaco 12 in 30 years (almost every second year) compared to east perths 4 and perths nil.

If you want a fairer competition get rid of zones. Development of football is a WAFL responsibility and should not be left to individual clubs who have different agendas at different times due to their individual circumstances.

Don't get me started on East Perth's zones basalt...

I coach in their junior area and it has very large numbers of juniors, far surpassing Claremont's, I would expect. It's only been in the last 1-2 years they seem to have got the organisation, and dare I say interest, pointing in the right direction. Since the ex Hawthorn player arrived there, Brendan (sorry, forgotten last name) I reckon there's been a marked improvement, certainly in the way I have interacted with them.

That last paragraph I haven't thought about a lot but it rings true and might be the way forward, although I actually like the WAFL clubs' interaction with the junior clubs on trophy nights etc.

Interesting thoughts though....

 

[basalt]

perhaps another thread would be a good place to get started on east perths zone and their development.

most welcome to post on the royals thread [no one else posts there].

( i think that there has been recent changes in the last couple of years to boundaries to give a more equal number of juniors to all zones, before then i recall east freo had twice the teams and registered juniors compared to east perth and i believe also perth).

Im sure any criticism of how the royals go about development of their juniors however harsh can only do good in the long term. Pleased you are contributing to the young kids and east perths future.

As an aside i would like to see kids have the right to nominate which club they would like to be aligned with. Dont like the thought that clubs can "own" a child because of where their parents decided to buy a house.

 

[Nickos66]

Not sure about giving kids the choice as to which club they're alligned with. They can barely tie their shoelaces. lets not give them too much too soon. It's not as if it means the world to the kids anyway.

 

[swannies]

OK, we probably all know this already but a brief roundup courtesy of the WAFL section of Inside Football (9/2/11)

Peel have lost R.O'Brien and Chartres, with B.O'Brien being told to stay put by the WAFL . Gained Lycett, Faulks and Michie in the AFL Allocation draft.

Perth have lost Clay McLernon. Gained Lower, Pitt and Roberts in the AFL Allocations.

Sharks have gained S.Dodd, R.O'Brien, R.Hadley, K.King.

Lions have gained Headland, K.Bloxsidge, D.Hughes (ex Melb), Cockie, M.Hottes (Lilydale), J.Sells (Geelong West), S.Dann (Clmt), C.Pocklington (Clmt), C.Wheeler (Newtown-Condingup) and Anthony from Freo. By far their biggest gain is losing A Campbell.

Falcons have gained Hutchings, Browne, Tregear (Sandringham), McConnell (ex Eagles and North Melb).

Royals have gained Chartres, J.Smith (West Perth & Kangaroos) and lost Howlett.

Tigers have gained N.Derrickx, Wilkes, A.Gilligan, W.Benjamin, L.Bedford, C.McLernon and T.Handley.

Any more? With pre-season games being just 2 weeks away we should find out more then.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Swans have gained J Williams (ex Essendon), Jacky (Adelaide), Blight (Collingwood) and Miles (Saints), and lost Twomey (Carlton), Spencer (Vic country), Casserley (either Richmond or a long suspension) and some fringe player that Collingwood picked up

 

[Nickos66]

Trinity Handley's back for the Tigers? Well that was shortlived.. Good to hear he's back in the west though.

Wow the Swans are looking good for this year.

 

[GordonGecko]

Not sure if it's been mentioned.

Ryan Cook from the Pies has signed with Souths, training well.

Shannon Cox contracted Sampi disease before he kicked a ball in anger.

Theo Adams has recovered from open heart surgery and will play in 2011.

 

[masai]

J.Sells (Geelong West)

Relative of Stephen Sells, son ?.

 

[Underdog]

Swans have gained J Williams (ex Essendon), Jacky (Adelaide), Blight (Collingwood) and Miles (Saints), and lost Twomey (Carlton), Spencer (Vic country), Casserley (either Richmond or a long suspension) and some fringe player that Collingwood picked up

Additional ins...
Ashley Hansen (West Coast)
Tony Notte (West Coast)
Adam Hunter (South Bunbury/West Coast)
Alex James (West Perth)
Hayden Yarran (West Perth)

 

[swannies]

Relative of Stephen Sells, son ?.

Yes, son, I've just read on the Subi web page.

 

[swannies]

OK, so 2 corrections so far to the off season.

Wes Lammie lined up in Swans Intra Club match and Tom Howlett lands at Shark Park, both were supposedly destined for Peel. Evidently, 1 of them turned up to Peel's training and said, this is a joke and didn't go back....