New AFLNT talent manager Brenton Toy reaching into remote communities for elite talent

BRENTON Toy’s solution to the Territory’s declining draft numbers reaches a long way past the Berrimah Line and the entrance to Alice Springs

New AFLNT talent boss Brenton Toy has promised a greater engagement and bigger expectations with community footballers.

BRENTON Toy’s solution to the Territory’s declining draft numbers reaches a long way past the Berrimah Line and the entrance to Alice Springs.

The AFLNT’s new talent manager singled out two major areas — governance of the league’s expanded talent program and engaging regional and remote communities — as starting points in his search for more elite talent.

“There’s a lot of things and a lot of dynamics involved in our draft record and I don’t think you can pinpoint it to any one part of the program as to why those numbers have dropped off,’’ Toy said.

“I just think across the talent program, the governance and engagement of communities is important.

“And the setting of high expectations and standards for our training camps and the importance of the (AFLNT’s) relationship with the football community will make a bit of a difference.

“That’s getting relationships right with our NTFL clubs, our CAFL clubs, our regional development staff and finally, the AFL clubs.’’

Toy has replaced the long serving Wally Gallio as the head of the AFLNT’s talent management, Gallio moving into the role of coaching and innovation manager in community football.

Toy’s involvement in Territory football goes right across the spectrum, from State Academy coach to player development and head coach at the Tiwi Bombers, St Mary’s and Waratah.

“With my background in remote and regional talent I’ve got an idea of the context those people are coming from, where they need to go and what needs to happen in between,’’ he said.

That includes placing a bigger focus on the Redtails and Pinktails Academy in Alice Springs.

Central Australia provided six players to Thunder’s NEAFL and AFLW sides this year as the Academy’s Right Trax program took hold.

“I wouldn’t see too much of a change, except for more of a focus on remote and regional athletes,’’ he said.

Toy also wants youth aged competitions in regional communities, with the Tiwi Bombers on the radar.

“The more structured junior competitions there are, the better off talent wise we are going to be,’’ he said.

“I would envisage a pathway for those remote players to interact with NTFL clubs or other communities.’’