Advice from Mexicans?????

[jonesfam]

I need some advice from those that live in this great lands Southern regions.
Unusual I know, Queenslanders usually know everything, North Queenslanders in particular & North West Queenslanders generally never ask advice.

Anyway, one of our boys who goes to Boarding School near the East Coast is very good at Aussie Rules.
Over the past 12 months he has been chosen for the NQ team & the QLD team, under 14/15's.
He has now been selected for the Sun's Academy on the Gold Coast. They want him to go down there every 2 or 3 weeks to do whatever.

SWMBO & I know very little about AFL, how their system works or if this is a good thing. I have Googled it but most of what is online is about older kids, 18 or so, not young boys like ours.

We do know he loves Aussie Rules & wants to be a professional player some day. But, we are a bit worried that this sort of thing may tie him up with one team? Limit his options? I have also heard the AFL has a "Draft" we know going that far is awhile away but how does that work?

Mainly we think this is great but want to make sure it is the best for him, his future & what he can achieve.
We never pressure him, just tell him he is doing well but we think AFL could be a great opportunity for him? But we are already thinking when/does he need some sort of professional advice like a "Manager" or something.

Any advice by those that know or understand AFL would be appreciated.

BTW He is one of those annoying kids that is really good at all sports, really likable, well behaved and an all round nice kid.
The sort you knew at school & didn't want to like but couldn't help yourself.

Jonesfam

[V8Ian]

Sorry mate, I know nothing about gay eff el. [wink11]

[Vern]

Sorry mate, I know nothing about gay eff el. [wink11]Typical queenslander response!

[Vern]

If they are looking at him at this age, give him all the help he can get. If he keeps going to this training, it doesn't necessarily mean he will get picked up by the Suns at senior level, any team might see something in him that the Suns don't.
He could make a very lucrative career from it, more so than other sports like NRL.

Might be time for you to start following and learning about the game, just don't follow the Suns or Carlton, they are both rubbish[emoji6][emoji4]

[ramblingboy42]

My son was selected for Suns academy, though he never made squad selection.

I am very surprised that you have not been contacted by the AFL or the Suns to discuss procedures etc.

I thought all matters were handled and discussed by the coaching committee very well and my son's welfare appeared to be a genuine point throughout the programme.

Your son should have a representative at his school or one made available to you to discuss all matters pertaining to attending the academy.

My son had left school already and was not a minor when he attended but we were kept in the loop with everything.

The workload is gruelling for the boys and the drop out rate is automatic. Lots of hard fast interval work and mind games sort them out.

Consider diet or even discuss it with the co ordinators. Energy needs and recouperation is important.

I wish him well , it will be a tough road for a 14yo.

[101RRS]

My niece's boyfriend (now 19) is right into AFL and played it all his life where he lived in Darwin. If you look at top notch AFL players you will see they tend to be tall and lean where rugby players tend to be shorter, stockier and heavier - when both are in peak condition generally rugby guys are heavier - this is the problem this kid has - too short and stocky for AFL yet like most sporty 19yo he has no fat on him but his build is all wrong.

So that is the first thing, physique - is it AFL? If he also has the skill then the kid needs to be where he will be noticed - eg down south. In Darwin white kids dont get picked so he went south when he was 17 but his physique worked against him and someone finally had the courage to pull him aside and give him the hard news that he will never play AFL at the professional level. He has got over the disappointment and is now enjoying playing club AFL on the central coast of NSW.

He should have played Rugby/League but they dont do that in Darwin and he hates it with a passion. So much so that he said he was likely to burst into flames when I took him into my local Raiders club for dinner - I tried to kid him into wearing his AFL footy jersey, that he lives in, into the Raiders Club but he was too smart for that.

So based on this experience - if your kid has the physique and skill to possibly go forward to be a professional - place him where those skills can be best developed and where he will be noticed. But while family encouragement is really important he needs to listen to the professionals as to whether he has a chance.'

Good luck

Garry

[jonesfam]

My son was selected for Suns academy, though he never made squad selection.

I am very surprised that you have not been contacted by the AFL or the Suns to discuss procedures etc.

I thought all matters were handled and discussed by the coaching committee very well and my son's welfare appeared to be a genuine point throughout the programme.

Your son should have a representative at his school or one made available to you to discuss all matters pertaining to attending the academy.

My son had left school already and was not a minor when he attended but we were kept in the loop with everything.

The workload is gruelling for the boys and the drop out rate is automatic. Lots of hard fast interval work and mind games sort them out.

Consider diet or even discuss it with the co ordinators. Energy needs and recouperation is important.

I wish him well , it will be a tough road for a 14yo.

Thanks
Nobody has contacted us but he is in the Foster system so there is always confusion over who is responsible for what.
I intend to phone his school after the holidays to find out more about things.
He arrived home on school holidays this week & just mentioned in passing that he had to go to the Suns Academy every few weeks.
It took us half an hour of interrogation to find out much more than that. He said he just goes down, trains & plays Footy. Might be a bit more to it.

He is an excellent Rugby player, swimmer & athlete as well, but lives for AFL.
Strange coming from a mad NRL district.

Jonesfam

[Vern]

My niece's boyfriend (now 19) is right into AFL and played it all his life where he lived in Darwin. If you look at top notch AFL players you will see they tend to be tall and lean where rugby players tend to be shorter, stockier and heavier - when both are in peak condition generally rugby guys are heavier - this is the problem this kid has - too short and stocky for AFL yet like most sporty 19yo he has no fat on him but his build is all wrong.

So that is the first thing, physique - is it AFL? If he also has the skill then the kid needs to be where he will be noticed - eg down south. In Darwin white kids dont get picked so he went south when he was 17 but his physique worked against him and someone finally had the courage to pull him aside and give him the hard news that he will never play AFL at the professional level. He has got over the disappointment and is now enjoying playing club AFL on the central coast of NSW.

He should have played Rugby/League but they dont do that in Darwin and he hates it with a passion. So much so that he said he was likely to burst into flames when I took him into my local Raiders club for dinner - I tried to kid him into wearing his AFL footy jersey, that he lives in, into the Raiders Club but he was too smart for that.

So based on this experience - if your kid has the physique and skill to possibly go forward to be a professional - place him where those skills can be best developed and where he will be noticed. But while family encouragement is really important he needs to listen to the professionals as to whether he has a chance.'

Good luck

GarryTallest afl player is 6'11, shortest 5'6, heaviest is 119kg, lightest 65kg. Size and physique doesn't matter, not having the skill set does.

[Arapiles]

I need some advice from those that live in this great lands Southern regions.Unusual I know, Queenslanders usually know everything, North Queenslanders in particular & North West Queenslanders generally never ask advice. Anyway, one of our boys who goes to Boarding School near the East Coast is very good at Aussie Rules.Over the past 12 months he has been chosen for the NQ team & the QLD team, under 14/15's.He has now been selected for the Sun's Academy on the Gold Coast. They want him to go down there every 2 or 3 weeks to do whatever.SWMBO & I know very little about AFL, how their system works or if this is a good thing. I have Googled it but most of what is online is about older kids, 18 or so, not young boys like ours.We do know he loves Aussie Rules & wants to be a professional player some day. But, we are a bit worried that this sort of thing may tie him up with one team? Limit his options? I have also heard the AFL has a "Draft" we know going that far is awhile away but how does that work?Mainly we think this is great but want to make sure it is the best for him, his future & what he can achieve.We never pressure him, just tell him he is doing well but we think AFL could be a great opportunity for him? But we are already thinking when/does he need some sort of professional advice like a "Manager" or something.Any advice by those that know or understand AFL would be appreciated.BTW He is one of those annoying kids that is really good at all sports, really likable, well behaved and an all round nice kid.The sort you knew at school & didn't want to like but couldn't help yourself.Jonesfam

I grew up in the Wimmera, where there was footy and then everything else. Literally. Being in the Sun's academy won't tie him to them forever, or at all, if I understand the draft correctly. The Wikipedia entry on the draft, which is for unsigned 18 year olds, is worth having a read of. Having known quite a few people who went to the VFL/AFL I'd strongly suggest that your son have a back-up plan - like a Uni degree or a good trade - because the odds of success in the AFL, even for the really talented, aren't great. And injury can derail careers very quickly.

And, whilst they may be better now, back when I was young the system tended to be pretty brutal to the ones that didn't make it. Having said that, what they do, apparently, look for now is level headed kids, which it sounds like your son is. Traditionally, the best players at the local club or school got to be the full-forward and it was the star full-forwards who got picked in the rep teams - and then they had a team of full-forwards, with attitude problems and no-one who wanted to play in defence. So, these days the selectors are, apparently, a lot smarter and look for kids with good skills and good attitudes.

Funnily enough, having grown up playing Aussie Rules, when I went to boarding school I started playing rugby and, prior to destroying my knee, that was where I had the most success in sport ....

[Bigbjorn]

Typical queenslander response!

Ian is right on the money. When I was a young bloke what is now called AFL in Qld was "Melbourne football" as it came from there and Victorians were considered inferior people who knew no better. Also known as poofta ball, girl ball, and considered a suitable sport for sickly boys or for girls. Soccer was wog ball. you just looked at the team names and player lists to know why. Rugby League was football.

[Bigbjorn]

He should have played Rugby/League but they dont do that in Darwin and he hates it with a passion. So much so that he said he was likely to burst into flames when I took him into my local Raiders club for dinner - I tried to kid him into wearing his AFL footy jersey, that he lives in, into the Raiders Club but he was too smart for that.


Good luck

Garry

Here is a link to the "they dont do that in Darwin" Northern Territory Rugby League. Seven clubs in Darwin, three in Katherine, four in Alice, one in Gove.

Northern Territory Rugby League - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_Rugby_League)

[Vern]

Ian is right on the money. When I was a young bloke what is now called AFL in Qld was "Melbourne football" as it came from there and Victorians were considered inferior people who knew no better. Also known as poofta ball, girl ball, and considered a suitable sport for sickly boys or for girls. Soccer was wog ball. you just looked at the team names and player lists to know why. Rugby League was football.How times have changed. Afl (Australian FOOTBALL League) is bigger and better and more professional than Nrl (National RUGBY League) these days. Its big in SA and WA as well, and has been for a very long time. The thing I like most about afl and it's fans, is we/they don't **** can RUGBY and come up with crap like gayfl, just goes to show the mentality of the rugby crowd.

Anyway, I wish Jonesfarm son all the best, and hope he makes the most of this experience.

[Vern]

Here is a link to the "they dont do that in Darwin" Northern Territory Rugby League. Seven clubs in Darwin, three in Katherine, four in Alice, one in Gove.

Northern Territory Rugby League - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_Rugby_League)Is that all?
Northern territory football league (afl) has 15 clubs and has been around since 1916.

[Arapiles]

The thing I like most about afl and it's fans, is we/they don't **** can RUGBY and come up with crap like gayfl, just goes to show the mentality of the rugby crowd.


When I told people in Victoria that I played rugby I used to get called a bum sniffer ...

[Vern]

When I told people in Victoria that I played rugby I used to get called a bum sniffer ...Haven't heard that one before.
How long ago was this??
I now reside in northern NSW, and work with a lot of qldr's, when discussing "football", they ALL say gayfl, or aerial ping pong, they back pedal very quickly when I just say that I don't follow rugby as I have never been around it and don't understand the rules (That's as insulting as I get) then they go on to tell me they played afl in school or their kids play it etc..and like/love it. Funny bunch those bum sniffers[emoji6][emoji6][emoji38]

[W&KO]

I’d say take some time to get your head around it. I’d start with calling the Suns.

Getting invited to the academy is the first small step....it mega competitive but at lease he is the system, hard part will be doing enough to stay in the system.

Not many of any QLDer or NTers get a look in at the clubs in Victoria....he should focus on the suns 100% and try and get some games against the southern teams.

I’m on the north side of Brisbane....hit us up if he needs a hand or anything sorted in Brisbane.

Good luck to him.

[V8Ian]

Bum sniffer's an old one Vern, been around for thirty years at least.
AFL started to gain popularity about the same time, mainly due to the number of southerners moving north. It was introduced to State schools as it was considered less of a contact sport than League. Traditionally State schools played Leage whilst private schools played Union.
Don't stress too much overthe lighthearted digs. Cross country basketball was another one for VFL.

[Bigbjorn]

Bum sniffer's an old one Vern, been around for thirty years at least.
AFL started to gain popularity about the same time, mainly due to the number of southerners moving north. It was introduced to State schools as it was considered less of a contact sport than League. Traditionally State schools played Leage whilst private schools played Union.
Don't stress too much overthe lighthearted digs. Cross country basketball was another one for VFL.

Also commonly called "kick and giggle".

[Hogarthde]

Just to elucidate ,....no one plays A.F.L.
The game is Australian Rules, and there are hundreds of Associations, Unions , Leagues, through out the world where this game is played.

The AFL is the premier competion in Australia , with 2 teams in W.A, 2 in S.A.,2 in Qld, 2 in N.S.W, 8 in Victoria, and sadly ,none in poor little Tassie

[Arapiles]

Ian is right on the money. When I was a young bloke what is now called AFL in Qld was "Melbourne football" as it came from there


I've had older people tell me a few times that before WW2, unlike the current split between rugby states and aussie rules states (NB, it's not "AFL" - that's the league, not the game) both games were played more widely across Australia.

Keep in mind that Weary Dunlop, who was from Melbourne, was also a Wallaby ...

[Arapiles]

Just to elucidate ,....no one plays A.F.L.
The game is Australian Rules, and there are hundreds of Associations, Unions , Leagues, through out the world where this game is played.

The AFL is the premier competion in Australia , with 2 teams in W.A, 2 in S.A.,2 in Qld, 2 in N.S.W, 8 in Victoria, and sadly ,none in poor little Tassie


And the AFL has done a brilliant job of conflating their league with the game itself.

[Homestar]

Sorry mate, I know nothing about gay eff el. [wink11]

I live in Melbourne and I’m the same... 😇

[ramblingboy42]

And the AFL has done a brilliant job of conflating their league with the game itself.

thank you , I had to look up the use of the word conflate....

I am now wiser.

[AndyG]

Ian is right on the money. When I was a young bloke what is now called AFL in Qld was "Melbourne football" as it came from there and Victorians were considered inferior people who knew no better. Also known as poofta ball, girl ball, and considered a suitable sport for sickly boys or for girls. Soccer was wog ball. you just looked at the team names and player lists to know why. Rugby League was football.

And that attitude explains Rugby perfectly, both types.

Where was Rugby in Australia in 1877
When Rugby can get 100,000 to a Grand Final or 30,000 to a normal game i will show some interest

[ramblingboy42]

Most home games at Lang Park are capacity ie 40,000 odd.

Although I'm an AFL supporter the sensual aura at Lang Park is something to be experienced...it's different to the Gabba or the G....I guess that's why they call it "the cauldron".

[AndyG]

I had a Nephew playing for Carlton, got scrubbed after so many injury's ti the joints
I have another nephew who hopefully will get drafted in 2020, currently playing the NAB league for under 19 , which the talent scouts monitor. for the AFL
There are 30 AFL leagues in QLD ! of various grades, some of then will feed into interstate Comps , good luck
So if he shows talent he will get steered into the right one

Up there Cazaly, (a famous VFL footballer) was a battle cry for the Victorians in WWI

I believe the Rugby States used the Battle Cry of ' Run Away Run Away' [bigrolf][bighmmm]

And a free bonus

Up There Cazaly
The Two-Man Band





Well you work to earn a living
But on weekends comes the time
You can do what ever turns you on
Get out and clear your mind
Me, I like football
But there's a lot of things around
When you line them up together
The footy wins hands down
Up there Cazaly
In there and fight
Out there and at 'em
Show 'em your might
Up there Cazaly
Don't let 'em in
Fly like an angel
You're out there to win
Up there Cazaly
You're out there to win
In there and at 'em
Don't let 'em in
Up there Cazaly
Show 'em your height
Fight like…

[1950landy]

Back in the 70's the Co I worked for enployed a number of A grade Wests ( now Bronco's) players , as apprentice motor mechanics , they would start off OK but soon developed big heads. Back then the club would find them enployment & help them out with lones for cars & houses. Just make sure you keep an eye on your boy so he keeps a level head.

[AK83]

Rugby LOL!

Grab the ball and run with it!
How is that FOOT ball?

AFL at least has some presence of mind to use your feet to move the ball .. more often than not.

'wogball', as it used to be affectionately known, IS football!

How on earth did rugby ever get the name football [bighmmm]

Rugby's lineage comes from American gridiron(football .. lol!) .. someone apperently spat the dummy with Amercian football, and accidentally invented rugby.
At least AFL(or VFL or whatever) is an Aussie sport .. not some hand-me-down import.

.. anyhow .. to the OP, hope the kid does well.

[350RRC]

Most home games at Lang Park are capacity ie 40,000 odd.

Although I'm an AFL supporter the sensual aura at Lang Park is something to be experienced...it's different to the Gabba or the G....I guess that's why they call it "the cauldron".

So the audience gets to sniff something too?

DL

[jonesfam]

Rugby LOL!

Grab the ball and run with it!
How is that FOOT ball?

AFL at least has some presence of mind to use your feet to move the ball .. more often than not.

'wogball', as it used to be affectionately known, IS football!

How on earth did rugby ever get the name football [bighmmm]

Rugby's lineage comes from American gridiron(football .. lol!) .. someone apperently spat the dummy with Amercian football, and accidentally invented rugby.
At least AFL(or VFL or whatever) is an Aussie sport .. not some hand-me-down import.

.. anyhow .. to the OP, hope the kid does well.

Other way around.
American & Canadian (which is slightly different) is somehow based on Rugby.

[DiscoMick]

Soccer is football. The others are league, union or afl.

[Vern]

Soccer is football. The others are league, union or afl.Or rugby, rugby or football. It's in the initialism.

[NavyDiver]

Rugby Union is fine with this Mexican. That other form is a bit weak [biggrin] Just kidding if you need a break all the time play league all you want. [bigrolf][bigrolf][bigrolf] Honestly joking I think all athletic pursuits rock especially long distance running. Even soccer is good at least most of the time when the play acting is omitted Mick. [bigrolf]

On the AFL side a young guy I took camping in my Disco is playing his first game for the magpies this Friday night. Happy to ask him for tips if you like? I know he was being scouted by the Pies from before he was 15y.o. Not sure about money or managers.

[ramblingboy42]

Look you have to feel real sorry for the mexicans at the moment.

School holidays and the Gold Coast is booked out.

worst weather here for a couple of years.

on top of that 4,000 yank sailors are roaming Surfers Paradise having been at sea for 3 months.

and everything starts happening END of July.

[Homestar]

I feel sorry for anyone that's stupid enough to travel to the Gold Coast at any time to be honest...

I'd go to Darwin myself if I wanted to get warm at this time of year. [emoji106]

[LRJim]

I feel sorry for anyone that's stupid enough to travel to the Gold Coast at any time to be honest...

I'd go to Darwin myself if I wanted to get warm at this time of year. [emoji106]In 2 weeks ill be exploring the Litchfield and Kakadu NPs [emoji41]

[DiscoMick]

Look you have to feel real sorry for the mexicans at the moment.

School holidays and the Gold Coast is booked out.

worst weather here for a couple of years.

on top of that 4,000 yank sailors are roaming Surfers Paradise having been at sea for 3 months.

and everything starts happening END of July.Yes, single girls should be very cautious around Brisbane for the next few days.
Reminds me that in WWII the underpaid Aussie Diggers complained the Yanks were "overpaid, oversexed and over here. "
[emoji16]