Watching the Box Hill Hawks yesterday (and Footscray on Saturday), I can't help thinking we are going nowhere until our newbies have a decent kindergarten to learn the craft. Our development of young players has been nothing short of disastrous for many years, and we need to emulate what the successful teams are doing.
I think it's time to put a Carlton side in the VFL, play at Visy park every week, and get some mature bodies on the VFL list to give the kids a chance to learn alongside them.
Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscay and Box Hill (virtually the Hawks) are doing it now, and their AFL sides are showing the benefit. Heaven knows the Northern Blues are hardly an attractive option for a VFL-level player.
Time we joined the party before we get left behind yet again.
56 more games for Dad and this offspring (who is going to be an absolute giant) could have been a lock in the first ruck palming it down to the Judd brothers at the start of the 2035 season!
All the best, Megan and Shaun - I hope you have a lovely baby daughter!