GWS chief Dave Matthews furious with ‘Vic-centric’ AFL over academy picks

GWS boss Dave Matthews says first Collingwood was handed Isaac Quaynor and now, with the Lions and Bombers squabbling over a young gun, he isn’t surprised by another “bulls--t” ruling from AFL House.

GWS boss David Matthews has lashed out at the free passes given to Victorian clubs after Essendon gained priority access to son-of-a-gun Lachlan Johnson.

Matthews said the decision was “bulls--t”, sick of the Victorian influence in a nationwide competition.

Johnson’s dad Chris is a triple-premiership player at the Lions but the Dons can also select him as an indigenous next generation academy member.

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Johnson told the Herald Sun last week he would allow his son to decide where he played if he was good enough to be drafted.

Matthews is adamant Collingwood was gifted Isaac Quaynor through their Oakleigh NGA zone for no good reason, believing there are rampant double standards at play.

GWS Giants CEO David Matthews has had enough. Pic: Gregg Porteous

Former Lions star Chris Johnson holds then-young son Lachlan. Pic: Darren England

“If you don’t mind me using that word, that is bulls--t. It is a ridiculous outcome and an unintended consequence of the way the next generation academies were set up,” Matthews said of the Johnson ruling.

“It doesn’t do any favours to Brisbane. The rationale for the academies was to introduce young players to the game that otherwise wouldn’t have been given the opportunity.

“It’s exactly the rationale used by Victorian clubs and endorsed by the competition when they took Albury off the Giants.

“You don’t hear about Isaac Quaynor who becomes a free hit for Collingwood when they have had zero to do with his development because he has come through the AFL pathways.

“I think Gill (McLachlan) understands that and it’s a matter of tidying up those edges.”

The AFL is reviewing the academy bidding system, with the league taking the Albury zone away from GWS because many of those players already had a junior football pedigree.

Quaynor’s father is from Ghana but because of his heritage the Pies secured him through the academy bidding system, with two younger brothers on the way.

Matthews said Isaac Quaynor was a ‘free hit’ for Collingwood. Pic: Getty Images

Matthews told 3AW Radio too many decisions were made with Victorian interests at heart.

“I think it is too Victorian centric. It’s been the strength of the game and if decisions get centred around what is going on in Melbourne …

“Until the game fully spreads its wings into NSW, Tasmania and Queensland, that’s when you will find more balance in the debate.”

Johnson said last week his son was able to link with the Bombers after he and his family lived in Westmeadows for six years — in the Calder Cannons zone — until moving to Kew last year.

Johnson is still an Essendon academy member even though he now plays for the Oakleigh Chargers.