Clubs put faith in homegrown talent
ACROSS every ground around AFL Cairns this season, there is an abundance of “young talent time” on show.
And, more often than not, it is homegrown talent through that individual club’s junior system that has pushed their way through the colts system into the seniors.
Cairns City Lions key position prospect Nick Johnson, South Cairns’ Alan Broad, Bulldog Jai Newell, Queensland under-16 representative from Cairns Saints Jaceb Baldwin and Manunda Hawks junior William Swaffer are just a few who have taken it up to, and held their own, against the more experienced footballers in 2018.
While the Hawks have been inconsistent this season, coach Marc Harbrow believes his club’s junior development, including Alex Davies, Swaffer, Jake Staska and Lachlan Bates, will hold them in good stead going forward.
“Our juniors have been the No. 1 highlight of our season so far,” Harbrow said.
“They are the foundation of our club and we will see the benefits going forward.
“We have not had heaps of highlights in terms of wins and losses this season but our kids have provided those highlights.”
In a win last month, Trinity Beach had eight of their 22 senior players under the age of 18.
“They all just play their role,” Bulldogs coach Mick Seymour said.
“Jacob Dow plays a role for us on the wing and gets great experience, and we have got guys like Michael Selsby, Alex Evans and Jai Newell.
“These kids are calm in the conflict. I am really happy with the juniors at our club at the moment.”
Up in Port Douglas, the Crocs are often criticised for their use of southern recruits over the past few years but they have been quietly developing a strong list of locals.
Kaine Freyling, Dickson brothers Jack and Angus, Davidson brothers Ash and Daniel, Ethan McCullough, Brett Mckeown and Tom Goodall are all in and around the senior side this season, that sits second on the ladder.
“I have always given local guys and our under-18s an opportunity but an opportunity and holding your spot in the side are two different things,” Crocs coach Brad Cooper said.
“If they want a spot, they have to go earn it as much as anyone else.
“We have seen our local guys take a step or two steps up this year, they are playing good footy.”