wedgetail wrote:Have heard from VERY reliable sources that Nick was feeling tired, jaded and burnt out as he had been playing footy in special squads, state under-age teams etc for quite awhile and that the grind of it all was getting to him. Some very diligent and persuasive work by Eagles officials and leadership group players plus a week off to re-charge and reflect have turned things around to Nick's and the club's benefit.
I know that people will say that AFL is the highest level and that's what all players go for, but those state under age teams and such get in the way of what I think star young players would benefit the most - playing SANFL League. Chances are players like Salter or Fairclough and for past instances Gibbs will end up going to a lowly ranked Victorian AFL club, so they should be able to play with their mates as much as possible in the mean time.
Besides, recruiting staff look at the SANFL grades a lot anyway.