ELITE PATHWAY VITAL

Q How realistic is a NEAFL team here in Cairns and how do you see it impacting the local AFL Cairns competition?

A The year 2020 will be the next time the licences are open again. It needs be in our planning and our preparation. I will aim to educate local clubs about why it is important to have an elite pathway in the region. We will be able to bring in really good coaches. It would be a really good program to give kids the aspiration to join. And, if they do not make the squad or just miss out, their exposure to the NEAFL program is only going to help. By 2020, we are hoping to have the juniors and seniors better aligned at all clubs. I would suggest some local clubs would be concerned because the numbers aren’t there at senior level but clubs have the responsibility to develop the pathway from juniors to seniors so they have good numbers. If we then take the talented juniors to go play in the NEAFL, it can only help better develop. It is still a long way down the track. We have an elite facility. The AFL has been engaged and we are speaking.

Q What happened with Mark Neeld? He was gone within two seasons at Melbourne.

A He worked closely with Mick Malthouse and he would have set Mark up to say “you need to stamp your authority in the early days”. Obviously Neeld showed those qualities but I think he would reflect and change a few things.