Bit of an off season query -
From: Dustin Martin - Wikipedia
His parents separated when he was 14 and Martin moved to Sydney with his father, leaving school at Castlemaine High School after Year 9 and taking up full-time work. He worked various roles at his father's transport business including as a forklift driver while also assisting his father's girlfriend's sports apparel business. In total he worked regular twelve hour days, later saying he hated “working long days” in what was “not a very good job.” While in Sydney he continued to play football, starting off with the Ingleburn Magpies Junior Australian Football Club's under 16 side. He stayed for just four matches however, dominating so comprehensively he was moved to the Campbelltown Football Club’s under 18's team despite being aged only 15. He even played for the club's senior team on one occasion that year. At this time he enquired about joining the Sydney Swans junior academy, but found himself ineligible due to having not lived in Sydney for the required minimum three years.
I had never heard any association with Martin and Sydney - I wonder if there was any enquiry for him at some point. If he had been picked up by the Academy, would we have been eligible to have priority access to him at that time?
Also, this required minimum of 3 years doesn't seem fair for the kids. I understand the requirement is probably there to stop any abuses by the Clubs, but if a family had to move to Sydney for personal or business reasons with a kid at 15, why would a potential top 10 draft pick not be able to play in the premier competition for their age group? There should/must be a clause that allows the waiting period to be waived in exceptional circumstances.
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