Insiders blow whistle on alleged nepotism at Oakleigh Chargers

Claims of nepotism and favouritism have been made against a key AFL draft pathway club, with parents calling for bans on officials selecting and coaching their own children.

Claims of nepotism and favouritism have been made against a key AFL draft pathway club, with parents calling for bans on officials selecting and coaching their own children.

The allegations centre on the Oakleigh Chargers, an elite club based in the south-eastern metropolitan region responsible for training and selecting top draftable junior players.

An assistant coach at the Oakleigh Chargers stepped aside last year amid a number of complaints about a conflict of interest because his son was part of the elite squad.

A number of parents and coaches have spoken to the Herald Sun about a widespread perception of favouritism in the way the Oakleigh Charges chooses its coveted 60-player squad from which the final 30 players are selected.

The stakes are high: the 2024 AFL draft picks number two and three both came from the Oakleigh Chargers - Finn O’Sullivan and Jagga Smith. Other greats of the game including Darcy Moore, Josh Gibson, Jack Viney, Jordan De Goey, Marc Murphy and Toby Greene have come through the club.

Number two draft pick Finn O'Sullivan is a former Oakleigh Chargers player. Picture: Kelly Defina

One parent made claims of “the blatant nepotism and cronyism on display, (with)

some players promoted in the program with far less ability as a result”.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting favouritism exists, only that the claim has been made.

Certain clubs, such as the Hawthorn Citizens, are thought to have an advantage due to their ties with Oakleigh personnel.

Analysis of the 60-person squad shows the Hawthorn Citizens had 11 players, Ashburton Redbacks ten, Blackburn eight and Balwyn Tigers seven.

Long-time Oakleigh Chargers coach Anthony Phillips also runs a coaching academy called Phillips Coaching.

Parents and other coaches told the Herald Sun there is a perception that players who do Phillips Coaching clinics are more visible to selectors.

Mr Philips declined to speak to the Herald Sun but has long denied any perception of bias. He is not directly involved in the selection of the 60 players.

The CEO of Phillips Coaching, which charges $150 for a three-hour session, is Simon Lloyd, brother of Essendon great Matthew Lloyd, the head coach at Haileybury.

Mr Phillips is also the head coach of Caulfield Grammar’s first XVIII side.

Darcy Moore also came through the club.

Such links to private schools also give rise to perceptions of bias among those whose children attend state schools or less prestigious private schools.

This year’s Oakleigh Chargers team was dominated by private school players, including eight from Scotch College, seven each from Carey Grammar, Xavier College and Camberwell Grammar and only five from state high schools. There are five from Caulfield Grammar.

A senior coach from a feeder club said:“When your kid is not getting the opportunity they should, you know it’s all about who you know or what school they went to.”

“People are really unhappy about it, the boys aren’t stupid, they know who deserves to be there.”

Some parents even change their address on official forms so they qualify for other teams than the Oakleigh Chargers because they believe they will be treated more fairly.

There has been no shortage of stars who began their career at Oakleigh Chargers.

The parent of one talented state player who missed out on selection for the squad said it was “disheartening”.

“There should be a hard and fast rule that no parent sits on a selection committee or coaching panel,” they said.

“It’s all anyone’s been talking about on the sidelines. The trial squad is full of kids from one club who may have never even played in any league or representative team while others with impressive credentials have never even received an invite to trial.”

An AFL spokesman said: “The talent pathway programs are designed to develop and prepare players for the next stage of their football career, regardless of what level that may be”.

“All players are given equal opportunity, and we appreciate all the clubs, officials and volunteers that help young players reach their potential.

“We acknowledge the disappointment of families when the number of players is whittled down from extended training squads, to training squads and then final rep teams,” he said.