+1
The system just needs to be left alone for a while but I do agree with the Riverina zone being a totally unfair concession to GWS and I won't try and ignite that debate again.
I really do think the Mebourne clubs are irrationally paranoid about the strength of the academies. Yes, we've grabbed a couple of good ones but neither Mills or Heeney is way above their elite peers. We've had two decent recruits for many millions of dollars and it would seem highly likely there's nobody worth recruiting for our $1.5m donation to game development that no other club foots the bill for. Of course GWS will get cream of the crop for doing bugger all down there and even less in their own backyard and that is the issue that needs to address. Then again the AFL owns GWS.
I'm genuinely concerned for the game if the best chance for NSW and QLD to really develop is scuttled. If it becomes an AFL plaything rather than a club based project then kids will just drop off. And I know the academy was designed to develop elite talent but the flow on effect to the SFL and QAFL is immense in terms of the quality that will pass down.
The real issue here is Queensland.
We'll still be OK if the system is scrapped, we'll mine our rookie system and our development program for players, our real strength, will remain. And when an academy gun does come along we'll nab him if we feel he is worth it, even if we have to release a player. But there's no way we should fund such a program that gives us such scant benefit.
But the Lions should seriously just shut up shop if the academy system is binned. Their only chance of success now all their other concessions have been taken away is to build a home grown list and this decision, when it happens, will just destroy any hope in that club. When it happens the Brisbane Lions Board, led by Leigh Matthews, should re-sign en masse.
And if there is any decision that sees us losing our discount and the other clubs keeping their then it should be straight to the High Court.
I seriously think this is worth challenging the entire draft for if it gets that stage and I think having a bulldog of a CEO at GWS, dickhead that he is, will help as we really need a united front in this case. And GWS could also look at the national interest of the game and have a think about what the Academy System is for, development of talent and not a recruitment zone.
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