Interesting article in the Age today about youngsters playing AFL sooner after being drafted...
Nahas is mentioned as one of the top 10 to walk into the AFL this year and make their markThe kids are ready to playGreg Baum | May 28, 2009
THE time of sparing football innocents is gone. More kids are playing AFL, sooner. And they're having greater immediate impact.
Typically, 75 to 80 new faces appear in any one season, mostly towards the end when non-finalists experiment with their lists. This year, 51 have made their debut already, 18 in round one, both records. Carlton, North Melbourne and Fremantle all have fielded five greenhorns. But, instructively, Geelong has played just one, once, and St Kilda, the other runaway ladder leader, none. This fits the axiom that a football club is forever either contending or rebuilding.
But for football's Gen Y, it is not simply about getting a guernsey. Seven have played every game. Stephen Hill and Daniel Rich have blitzed. Brendan Whitecross and Jack Ziebell are averaging 18 touches a game. Taylor Walker has kicked 15 goals. David Zaharakis kicked the winner on Anzac Day. These kids are here not merely to take a mark, but make one.
Young players, said Jason McCartney, sensed the urgency. "With 38 players on the list, you've really only got two years," he said. "Years ago, with more players on the list, you had more time. Now, you need to make a mark early, or you're out the door. There's no 50-game VFL apprenticeships now."
ROBIN NAHAS (Richmond)Age: 21
Drafted: 2009 rookie select
From: Oakleigh U18/Port Melb
Debut: Rd 5, 2009, v Geelong
Games: 5 Kicks: 7.7 Marks: 3.7 Handballs: 3.6 Goals: 9
Full article:
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/the-kids-are-ready-to-play/2009/05/27/1243103592925.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1