Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy says clubs should not rule out older players at national draft
Bob Murphy from the Western Bulldogs recently wrote an article about the AFL Drafting system which basically targets 18 year olds. I was a fitness adviser for 20 years so saw first hand how long it took players to mature but also since 2007 have worked with young players 12yo onwards to draft age . Basically just kids!
Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy says clubs should not rule out older players at national draft
I have picked some relevant comments from this article:
“Of the top 50 selections in last year’s national draft, just three were aged 20 or over, while 49 of the first 50 picks in 2015 were teenagers.”
“A player must be 18 on or before April 30 the year following the national draft to be eligible for selection. Before 2009, the age was 17.”
“If they don’t get picked up at 17 then they are done,” Murphy said.”
“I’m not a massive American sports head, but I think their college system is a good way to go,” Murphy told foxfooty.com.au.
“Guys don’t reach professionalism until they are 21. I reckon that would be ideal for footballers.”
I presented in 2002 that at a Conference that the AFL Draft system was not elite and too young.
The AFL will vigorously defend their system but they do not have to compare themselves to anything else in the world unlike sports like Soccer , Volleyball & Basketball etc IE a bubble.
The process starts at 15 really where players are funnelled at Under 16 level then again at Under 18. So miss the first cut and it is tough! Why parents should invest in personal trainers at 14 years of age which is a bit early but probably necessary to get an edge.
The evidence is compelling that it takes many years to develop an AFL player and really many players are missed and lost in sub elite competitions.
I also am of the opinion that many young players at 16 only dream of being drafted and put their careers & VCE as a second priority but very few get drafted.
The AFL Draft system is organized and that is what people in the system like.
But it is not a best practice system when viewed from a long term athlete development perspective.
loris bertolacci 