The Recruit

Yeah it's just how they roll up there. North Western WA is an absolute goldmine of talent. If we were able to get some structure up there there's 2 teams worth of AFL standard kids waiting to be developed. Ditto North/North Western SA/Eastern WA. Those two zones are goldmines. Especially NW WA though. Waylen's one of the most disciplined to come from there. They've spent their whole life in a completely different culture where survival is foremost but barring essential needs they just don't need to do anything they don't want to and they're still happy.

The biggest obstacle to tapping that mind is the mentality that these kids have. And I'm not really sure it's our place to go there and try and change that either. Part of me thinks involving these kids in a structured AFL development program would be great for them but part of me just thinks it's wrong.

I'd like to see the AFL set up an Academy in the Kimberleys though. It'd cost a lot but I think it'd be worth it. Perhaps give WC/Freo priority access like Sydney get and get them to buy in a bit. We'd have to be really careful about how we did it but if we can get these kids who want to play AFL at 12-13 into a structured program where they're learning AFL from proper coaches and going to school as part of it then I think it could really work if the communities are on board.

I mean it's pretty clear to me that Manson won't survive in the AFL. He's too far gone which disappoints me. Slightly more talented but lazier/indigenous community minded than Zeph Skinner and Zeph Skinner couldn't handle it. Firmly believe the problem isn't in the lack of talent or scouting in these areas but the age at which we're noticing them. It's just too late. There's a reason Cyril succeeded; because he moved out of his area and into Melbourne at 14. His cousin who moved with him lasted a week. Cyril lasted three before bolting but eventually came back and settled. Had Cyril not spent years in Melbourne there's no way he'd have survived or even made the AFL. He'd be another kid who went in the 'unfortunate' category. It's just such a fine line between recruiting talent and invading and interfering with their privacy and rights.