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I just read on one of the draft threads that Olli Hotton has been released and there was a bit of surprise that he has never fired a shot at AFL level.
I know nothing about Olli Hotton or his personal circumstances so this isn't about him. But it IS about highly rated juniors who never make it...ultimately there are a group of guys out there who are in it for the tracksuits.
AFL clubs are funny. There are the experienced guys who are playing every week - and they are (predominantly) team focussed great blokes. So they bring the younger players along with them...sure, this means gym. But it also means coffee, beach days, FIFA tournaments, pubs and clubs. And *some* players starting thinking they are AFL players before they've done a thing. And if you happen to fall out of contract at the wrong time (if you get injured and miss some time, if it's a 'good' draft for your position, if the club is targeting a free agent, if the club has a new coach or recruiter from the ones who originally recruited you...etc....etc) well, it'll be over.
Yes- pulling them into line is the role of the development coaches and heads of footy, but remember in this world of steady as she goes and "he's developing" etc, well, putting high expectations and demands on junior 'staff' is generally frowned upon. Positive influences in the players personal circle (girlfriends are critical if one is on the seen), fathers, favourite uncles, junior team-mates, junior coaches who remain mentors...they are critical influencers (and influences) on a players chance of making it. Those people who are supportive but are also prepared to say - "ummm, how you gonna get a game touching it 8x in the VFL" - are worth their weight. Because in the main, the club is going to be 'supportive' of their development, patient with their development...until suddenly a list management decision that literally NO-ONE saw coming (even the coaches directly involved) saw coming is made.
I know nothing about Olli Hotton or his personal circumstances so this isn't about him. But it IS about highly rated juniors who never make it...ultimately there are a group of guys out there who are in it for the tracksuits.
AFL clubs are funny. There are the experienced guys who are playing every week - and they are (predominantly) team focussed great blokes. So they bring the younger players along with them...sure, this means gym. But it also means coffee, beach days, FIFA tournaments, pubs and clubs. And *some* players starting thinking they are AFL players before they've done a thing. And if you happen to fall out of contract at the wrong time (if you get injured and miss some time, if it's a 'good' draft for your position, if the club is targeting a free agent, if the club has a new coach or recruiter from the ones who originally recruited you...etc....etc) well, it'll be over.
Yes- pulling them into line is the role of the development coaches and heads of footy, but remember in this world of steady as she goes and "he's developing" etc, well, putting high expectations and demands on junior 'staff' is generally frowned upon. Positive influences in the players personal circle (girlfriends are critical if one is on the seen), fathers, favourite uncles, junior team-mates, junior coaches who remain mentors...they are critical influencers (and influences) on a players chance of making it. Those people who are supportive but are also prepared to say - "ummm, how you gonna get a game touching it 8x in the VFL" - are worth their weight. Because in the main, the club is going to be 'supportive' of their development, patient with their development...until suddenly a list management decision that literally NO-ONE saw coming (even the coaches directly involved) saw coming is made.
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