AFL draftees are settling into their new homes this week, but already talk of players departing is rife.
For many, being drafted means packing up and moving away from home to live out their boyhood dreams. Most embrace this life-changing period. Others struggle to adapt. The “go-home” factor has become a catchphrase in AFL circles.
But how prevalent is the want to remain at home? Is the sound of the minority drowning out the majority?
For every Josh Schache – a top-two draft pick who wanted out of Brisbane after two seasons – there’s a Matthew Pavlich, a South Australian who went on to captain and play 353 games for Fremantle. Or Rory Sloane, drafted from Victoria and an All-Australian at Adelaide.
The AFL draft, which was dragged out over two days last week, had 12 of the first 20 players heading interstate from their home base. But instead of encouraging both club and player to embrace and enjoy a challenge, many fans are now cautious about their team picking interstate players, fearing they’ll leave after their initial contract.
The media is playing a part, with most hopefuls asked pre-draft how they’d feel if they had to move interstate. Why is it considered a negative? Many teenagers travel or move away for university – without the financial and welfare support an AFL club provides – as do other aspiring sports stars.
You don’t hear of basketballers relocating to play in the US college system or cricketers living out of a suitcase complaining.
Thankfully, AFL clubs are backing themselves in and picking the best available talent because, more often than not, those players settle into their new environment.
Four of the 2017 top-10 – Cameron Rayner (Brisbane via Victoria), Angus Brayshaw (Fremantle via Victoria), Adam Cerra (Fremantle via Victoria) and Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs via Western Australia) – were picked by interstate clubs and have inked contract extensions.
Clubs are also becoming savvy with their recruiting. Brisbane, which suffered the loss of the “go-home five” in 2013, has made an emphasis on recruiting country-based teenagers in recent seasons. Regional Victorian footballers Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Alex Witherden and Cedric Cox landed at the Lions’ den in 2016. Lewis Taylor, Darcy Gardiner and Rhys Mathieson arrived before them. The Lions’ approach is to make a home away from home.
But, at the end of the day, the draft is open and if a player chooses to nominate then they should be prepared for the unknown.
Justine McCullagh-Beasy is a Fairfax journalist.
