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Does Aussie Rules ruin young players?

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Agree 100% with posters here. I don't think it does players any good at all as they seem to pick up chronic injuries.

Personally, I can't see the attraction of the sport as its not as much fun to play as Gaelic or Rugby. And its not like they are paid mega money either. If I was Conor Nash (a once in a generation talent from Navan currently with Collingwood) I would have stayed in Ireland and played gaelic or if I was seeking full time professionalism, took the offer from Leinster he had on the table. As things stand, with how handy it is a to get a degree in Irish universities, being a student and an intercounty player isn't far off being professional in any case.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1316 - 24/04/2017 11:02:39    1982129

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Replying To Crinigan:  "Agree 100% with posters here. I don't think it does players any good at all as they seem to pick up chronic injuries.

Personally, I can't see the attraction of the sport as its not as much fun to play as Gaelic or Rugby. And its not like they are paid mega money either. If I was Conor Nash (a once in a generation talent from Navan currently with Collingwood) I would have stayed in Ireland and played gaelic or if I was seeking full time professionalism, took the offer from Leinster he had on the table. As things stand, with how handy it is a to get a degree in Irish universities, being a student and an intercounty player isn't far off being professional in any case."
Except you don't get paid to play.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 24/04/2017 11:33:48    1982143

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Except you don't get paid to play."
Thats true but what does a rookie in AFL actually get? 8-12,000 a year tops? Sure a top intercounty player like Nash would get a scholarship to UCD or DCU for example, how much is that worth? A sponsored car as well maybe if Meath are going well. When you break it down, I don't think its that much more money to have to move to the other side of the world and play in my own view, a sport less enjoyable than gaelic football or rugby.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1316 - 24/04/2017 13:11:13    1982192

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Replying To Crinigan:  "Thats true but what does a rookie in AFL actually get? 8-12,000 a year tops? Sure a top intercounty player like Nash would get a scholarship to UCD or DCU for example, how much is that worth? A sponsored car as well maybe if Meath are going well. When you break it down, I don't think its that much more money to have to move to the other side of the world and play in my own view, a sport less enjoyable than gaelic football or rugby."
8-12k tops? How about a base salary of $55k for rookies. Why wouldnt a player go over for a few years and then come back if they want? My initial point was that the vast majority of player that have gone over have come back and all are part of county squads now. Whether or not they are an integral part of their county squad is a different issue. Not all of them leaving were considered absolute stars before they left, some obviously were, but its not always as simple as being a great minor to being a great senior.

Tommy Walsh being an obvious example of a start who went over and has come back and failed to live up to his potential. I dont honestly believe any of the others have been adversely affected by playing AFL for 2 or 3 years.

james2011 (Wexford) - Posts: 602 - 25/04/2017 09:14:00    1982425

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Replying To Crinigan:  "Thats true but what does a rookie in AFL actually get? 8-12,000 a year tops? Sure a top intercounty player like Nash would get a scholarship to UCD or DCU for example, how much is that worth? A sponsored car as well maybe if Meath are going well. When you break it down, I don't think its that much more money to have to move to the other side of the world and play in my own view, a sport less enjoyable than gaelic football or rugby."
More like € 40 - € 50k and flights paid for family to visit etc., you can also get put through college and other benefits if you want them. It's a very attractive proposition if you have the talent. If it doesn't work out you can always come home.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 25/04/2017 10:34:51    1982460

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Replying To ormondbannerman:  "I'm not misinterpretating anything as this poster has said this before on other related issues"
Sounds completely misinterpreted to me. Certainly taking that post in isolation. Kilkenny is extremely passionate about his heritage and culture, not just our games but the language too. It was the draw of his passion that brought him home, he has said it many times.

dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 336 - 25/04/2017 15:21:49    1982560

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Replying To dahayeser:  "Sounds completely misinterpreted to me. Certainly taking that post in isolation. Kilkenny is extremely passionate about his heritage and culture, not just our games but the language too. It was the draw of his passion that brought him home, he has said it many times."
A professional sportsman can be passionate and paid ,
equally its a favourite pastime of mine read sports autobiography's and there are many who played their sport for money not love the most famous being Andre Aggasi ,David Batty Leeds United , as it pays the bills they don't walk away or very very few will like David Bentley did, on the other hand in GAA as you are not reliant on riches you do it out of love of the sport and passion.
Only a fool would argue otherwise

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 25/04/2017 16:12:36    1982579

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I am assuming that what the originally poster meant by passion was that Kilkenny had a passion for playing for his club and for Dublin, a passion that he grew up with. He would not have had the same passion for his club in Australia having now grown up supporting that team.

Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 2099 - 25/04/2017 17:45:02    1982610

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I think it must ruin their confidence anyway. Because they think they're great when they are signed to a contract and then they all end up failing to make any impact or even play a game in the AFL. Only Marty Clarke and Tadhg Kennelly have made it in recent times. And other than those two, nobody who came back from an AFL career has become a top footballer.

HurlingSnob (Dublin) - Posts: 220 - 25/04/2017 19:00:09    1982632

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Replying To HurlingSnob:  "I think it must ruin their confidence anyway. Because they think they're great when they are signed to a contract and then they all end up failing to make any impact or even play a game in the AFL. Only Marty Clarke and Tadhg Kennelly have made it in recent times. And other than those two, nobody who came back from an AFL career has become a top footballer."
Zac Tuohy is currently on the third longest streak of playing consecutive games. Fair to say he has made it in recent times. Pearce Hanley was one of Brisbanes top players for the last 5 years, constantly in their top 5 each year and has made a move to Gold Coast.

There is no denying far more "fail" than make it, but at least they give it a shot. It seems people think that these players were automatically going to be stars once they left minor grade, some make, some dont. That would be the same if they never left at all. Sometimes players who were great hopes at minor dont make the jump up.

Also, fair to say John Heslin is one of Westmeaths top players. Brendan Murphy, Michael Quinn, Colm Begley, Chrissy McKaigue. David Moran. Ger Cafferky. James Kielt.

As noted, plenty come back and arent big stars. But it may not be because they played AFL for a while.

james2011 (Wexford) - Posts: 602 - 26/04/2017 09:56:07    1982772

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You could equally go through past All Ireland winning captains in minor football and see how many of them made it at senior inter county or top scorers in All Ireland minor finals. I'd say a greater % of guys who return from AFL contracts make it into their county teams than those who starred at minor level.

GalwayDownUnder (Galway) - Posts: 63 - 27/04/2017 03:51:23    1983047

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Why would anyone turn down the chance to try their hand at a professional sport, especially one that has similar skill sets to Gaelic football? I played aussie rules at C grade, then B grade when in Perth back in 2000 & 2001 (I was asked to play in the A grade in 2002 before getting sent home!) and found that it improved my Gaelic football game massively. I increased fitness, nutrition and discipline as well as improved my match management as well. When i returned home after being invited to by the lovely people at Australian Immigration I went to club football training and walked into the senior football team after being a junior player when I left. I love the game and feel that it had a massive impact on me Gaelic football wise. It won't work for some but it did for me!

thesilverfox (Tipperary) - Posts: 94 - 27/04/2017 11:24:17    1983090

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Not as much as women and booze ruining players ;)

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13704 - 27/04/2017 15:14:30    1983174

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Replying To Rockies:  "How is Ciaran Sheehan from Cork doing? One of Cork's best players."
Injured a lot. He loves it over there though and they must think he is worth it because they extended his contract despite being injured for almost all of his first contract. He progressed very quickly to senior level. He played 4 games.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 27/04/2017 15:28:39    1983186

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It is a brilliant sport. The skill of long accurate kick passing and high fielding are far more pronounced in their sport than in hours. It is not all punt-kicking either as somebody else has said.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 27/04/2017 15:32:54    1983188

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Replying To bennybunny:  "It is a brilliant sport. The skill of long accurate kick passing and high fielding are far more pronounced in their sport than in hours. It is not all punt-kicking either as somebody else has said."
Totally agree, I absolutely love it! Can't wait for the Western Derby this weekend, even though i'm a Saints supporter!

thesilverfox (Tipperary) - Posts: 94 - 28/04/2017 12:18:46    1983333

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There are pros and cons imo. As bennybunny accurate kick passing and high fielding are more pronounced in AFL. While the defined tackle is in ways a good thing it cuts out some of the classy scores we have in our game with the likes of Gooch or Brogan pivoting away from defenders. I also find it very stop starty compared to our game.

Regarding Ciaran Sheehan, he was a man they really wanted and were monitoring since he was 15. He is a serious athlete and footballer something that Cork management didn't seem to fully appreciate. Whe he went out at the second time of asking he made it in no time but then got his with injuries. Personally and selfishly I know I hope he comes back and plays for Cork again. God knows we need him.

dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 336 - 28/04/2017 14:19:34    1983364

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Not as much as women and booze ruining players ;)"
Thats my next topic

.tribute (Cavan) - Posts: 360 - 29/04/2017 11:29:15    1983440

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It all in all likely ruins young players if they want to make a comeback to GAA.
They lose their natural ability with GAA in kicking the roundball and in general running from what I see.

But if they can make it over there an stick to playing AFL, more power to them.
Once in a lifetime opportunity and getting paid to play a professional sport and live in a wonderful climate.


As for AFL, I really like the sport watching it up close on tv but actually attending a match I find them quite long and tedious.

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 29/04/2017 11:34:26    1983445

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