With some negativity surrounding the AFL's Next Generation Academies and the validity of the entire process, the Western Bulldogs have strongly defended the use of it in the draft.
It saw them match Adelaide's pick 1 bid for academy star, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, leaving the Bulldogs with arguably the best player from this draft class.
From next year and beyond, players who are selected in the top 20 won't be able to have bids matched should they be from an academy system, meaning Ugle-Hagan will be the last top pick it happens to.
Speaking on SEN Mornings, Western Bulldogs National Recruiting Manager Dom Milesi said he believes the academies have been good for the competition as a whole.
“I understand where the AFL are coming from in terms of wanting to preserve the draft, particularly at the top end,” Milesi said.
“But I think at the same time the Next Generation Academies have done a lot of really good work, not just with the Bulldogs, but across the competition.
“I think we’ve still got to try and promote those avenues for players from different backgrounds to give them more opportunities, so I think it’s about striking that balance going forward where we’re still giving those players that are new to the sport an opportunity to get into the system.”
Milesi added that the club will continue to give next-gen prospects an opportunity at AFL level, regardless if they end up at the Bulldogs or not.
He said they want to continue to invest in their designated area and give youngsters an opportunity to get on an AFL list.
“I can’t speak for every other club, but I know from our point of view we’re still very keen to invest in our regions with both the Rebels and the Western Jets,” Milesi said.
“I think we’ll still invest. To me, it’s all about giving players the chance and they might not up at your club, but hopefully they still go on and have a good AFL career.
“But if they do end up at the Western Bulldogs, that’s a bonus as well.”
