Western Jets region manager Shane Sexton says AFL draft night marks the end of a five-year transformation – from local footballers to full-time professionals – for the lucky players selected.
The Jets have four dedicated scouts and a coaching network to discover talented players within the Western Region Football League and clubs that are under their umbrella in the Essendon, Riddell and Ballarat leagues.
Hype surrounding a player might only start once he reaches the under-18 TAC Cup, but the Jets’ hard work behind the scenes starts much earlier and with little fanfare.
“We start trying to identify players when the kids are 14,” Sexton said.
The Jets’ scouting network has been flawless in Sexton’s time at the club.
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No player is yet to land on an AFL list from any region the Jets overlooked.
“This is one of the things we pride ourselves on,” Sexton said. “All I can do is go on my time here … there’s not one player who has got through to AFL footy that we didn’t know about,” Sexton said.
“Our coverage is really good – it needs to be to be able to identify the best athletes.”
So what do the Jets look for in a 14-year-old? Most have not developed physically by that age; some are yet to make their mind up about their chosen sport and it’s an important time in their schooling.
It’s simple – the Jets just want to see a player with sound fundamentals for their age.
“At that age level, we’re just looking for kids who can play football,” Sexton said.
The first year in the Jets system is the calm before the storm, so to speak.
A player gets familiar with the club and the club gets to build a profile of the individual. The expectations ramp up for the 15 year olds, with a greater emphasis on skill acquisition and fitness programs involving running and body weights.
The 16 year olds have a total weights program attached to their training as their athletes’ bodies start to take shape.
This is a period in which a player can press for state championship squads and higher honours with state sides.
“Once they progress to those levels, you’re talking about playing against the best teams, the best individuals around the state,” Sexton said.
“It’s not just a matter of running out and getting a kick – you’re going to have to earn a kick.”
AFL recruiters begin to form opinions about players at this age level.
The TAC Cup year is when players are thrust into the spotlight, with their every move – on and off the field – monitored by AFL scouts.
The top priority for a player is to play good football for the Jets and do it within the team concept. They may be played out of position to see if they can add another string to their bow.
Elite youngsters go on to represent Vic Metro at the national championships, getting the chance to play at AFL venues and in front of national television audiences in what can be a sink or swim assessment of their future.
Once the TAC Cup has concluded, it is no holiday for players or staff, with further coaching and personal training required to keep players sharp for the draft combine or state screening.
“The recruiters have made up their minds whether they’ve got the skills, whether they can get a kick, whether they’re inside or outside, small or tall, midfielder or flanker – they can see all that,” Sexton said.
The last port of call on the road to the draft is meetings with AFL club personnel and assessments by AFL medical staff.
Year 12 students have a curfew around the school exam period so they are not distracted from their studies.
Ten days out from the draft, the Jets give their players a well-earned break, during which they can reflect on their junior career – with the odd sleepless night thrown in, given the draft on the horizon.
“My view is the kids are entitled to a little bit of peace from the whole thing if they can, but they’re going to be thinking about it every day, obviously,” Sexton said.
Thursday night might seem the end of the road for those who miss out, but there is a second chance six days later with the AFL rookie draft.
There’s also the unconventional route to the big league through the VFL, while some players will just be happy to go back and play with their mates at their local club.
