Page 51 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

The impact of the AFL Club Academies Program in Queensland is starting to show with players who have progressed through the academies being added to AFL lists.
Significantly, players like Andrew Boston, who started 2013 as a rookie with the Gold Coast Suns after going through the SUNS Academy, not only made his senior debut but became a regular member of the senior team in the second half of the season.
Lions Academy player Jono Freeman became the first player added to the Lions’ senior list via the academy bidding rules, which are similar to that of the father – son rules.
One of the key objectives of the bidding rules is certainly about increasing local talent on both the Lions’
and the SUNS’ lists
and under the bidding system, both clubs have priority access to the best talent within their zone each year.
Ultimately, the aim of the Academies is to increase the talent pool for all 18 AFL clubs.
One of the real highlights of 2013 was to see nine Brisbane Lions Academy players representing the Brisbane Lions Reserves’ NEAFL premiership side.
Both academies would have had over twenty players play senior NEAFL football this season, either with their AFL aligned, or local, NEAFL club.
With a number of these players still only 17,
this experience provides them with a great development opportunity, leading in to their draft year in 2014.
The joint venture philosophy in attracting new talent to our game is critical.
Archie Smith, an elite basketballer who only started playing AFL in 2013, is a great example of how boys can transfer skills from other sports to AFL.
In his first season Archie represented Queensland at state U18 level, played in the winning Lions NEAFL premiership team, made his senior debut for Mt Gravatt and was invited to the AFL National Draft Combine.
Both academies are working very hard to attract new talent like Archie.
The Lions and SUNS Academies both took U15 teams to Coffs Harbour in September to play against the GWS Giants.
This was a terrific development opportunity with the facilities and match venue definitely giving the players a glimpse of an elite environment.
From these games, it was clear to see some potential AFL talent, which points to some positive signs for their draft year in 2016.
The real aim of the academy program going forward will be to increase the emphasis on individual development for the best players.
In this vein, the program will focus on working with the AFLQ regions plus NEAFL and QAFL senior coaches and the schools of excellence more closely, aligning development programs and cutting out duplication.
We face a massive challenge in not only retaining our talent but also attracting new talent.
Both academies conduct numerous activities which allow talented athletes to come and sample our game with a view to addressing the latter.
The AFLQ schools programs are invaluable in giving boys and girls the chance to play AFL and the academies are very appreciative of these programs, which provide a platform on which to identify new talent and promote the academy brands.
In Queensland, as the game grows, programs will have to adapt and change with the new opportunities in the talent arena.
MARK BROWNING
AFL MANAGER OF ACADEMIES AND TALENT IN NSWACT/QLD
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AFL QUEENSLAND ACADEMIES REPORT