Sturt backs SANFL decision on Port’s move on Eagles players
STURT has thrown its support behind the SANFL’s decision against Port Adelaide, and claims there is a difference with its Voss move.
STURT has vehemently backed the SANFL’s decision to knock back a request from Port Adelaide to have Woodville-West Torrens juniors Martin Frederick and Kai Pudney play with the Magpies this season.
The Double Blues agree with the argument of rival state league clubs and they do not want situations whereby their own players could be in opposing teams.
While the Double Blues released youngster Casey Voss, son of former Brisbane champion and Power assistant coach Michael, to Brisbane for NEAFL games this season, the club claimed the circumstances were different.
“We were happy to release Vossy to Brisbane to help him in terms of a possible father-son selection in the draft,” Double Blues football manager Chris Trapp said.
“It would be a different situation if he was playing against us. It is our club’s view we would not release him in terms of him playing against us.”
Frederick and Pudney have worked with the Power’s Next Generation Academy and the club was keen to have them playing with the Magpies so their progress could be monitored before the national draft.
However, the SANFL directors turned down the Power’s proposal and they will remain with the Eagles.
The Double Blues had five players picked up in last year’s draft, while another was rookie listed, and they are confident the club has established “really good” development pathways.
“We want the best for our young talent, we want to give them the best opportunities to get drafted,” Trapp said. “We are aligned to Adelaide’s Next Generation academy and we work in close consultation with the Crows.
“We have players in that program and they go there for monthly training sessions and other aspects of development such as nutrition talks and strength and conditioning workouts.
“We are keen to be involved and give our guys extra opportunities. In terms of playing against the club, we are not keen on that.”
The Double Blues nominate Indigenous and multicultural players for the Crows academy. The Eagles were angered by the Power’s move to secure two of their promising juniors.