Bulldogs hope for Fiji paradise - follow up from 30/04/08

Bulldogs hope for Fiji paradise - follow up from 30/04/08
Bulldogs hope for Fiji paradise Mark Stevens | April 30, 2008 12:00am http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23621185-19775,00.html EXCLUSIVE THE Western Bulldogs are in the midst of a Fijian treasure hunt to uncover the next Nicholas Naitanui. Inspired by the athletic feats of this year's likely No. 1 draft pick, the Dogs have spent the past six months secretly planning a recruiting assault on Fiji. Dogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton first visited Fiji in January and has returned to the capital Suva twice in the past three weeks. "Project Fiji" is being funded by supporter and businessman Shaun Bassett. Clayton has already built a strong network throughout Fiji, including members of Naitanui's extended family. The Dogs will continue regular visits to Fiji, eyeing the opportunity to sign several athletes suited to the transition to Aussie rules. Clayton had been determined to keep the Fijian push under wraps for fear of giving up a competitive advantage. But after the Herald Sun learnt of his links to Naitanui's family, Clayton yesterday confirmed the club was deadly serious about the Fiji experiment. "I don't want to give out too many details but, yes, I have been there," Clayton said. "We've got a benefactor on board to go where no one else has." The Dogs rank Fiji as a more economical opportunity than the more traditional recruiting ground of Ireland. Under AFL rules to promote international recruiting, clubs can tie up players by paying them an up-front fee of $1000. They can then be added to lists as international rookies. Clayton's interest was sparked 18 months ago when he first laid eyes on Naitanui, the 17-year-old West Australian ruckman of Fijian descent who is already dominating at WAFL level with Swan Districts. "I asked, 'Where's he from?', and someone said Fiji. I said, 'Well, I'm going there'," Clayton said. "I spoke to Nicholas's mother last year and said, 'This might be a rude question, but is there any more like him over there?' "She said, 'Yes, of course'." Clayton described Naitanui as the most exciting junior athlete he had seen. "People will just go and see him, even if they don't barrack for a team," Clayton said. Clayton showed Bassett vision of Naitanui and he was quick to offer to dig into his pocket. Bassett, who owns a successful cleaning business, said last night: "It's worth the punt. Scotty Clayton has done some very good things for the Dogs. If he thinks it's a goer, I'm happy to be on board. "Naitanui is such an exciting player." Bassett was also involved in bank-rolling the costs involved in placing Tom Davidson on the Dogs' rookie list in 2006. The Fiji experiment has been strongly backed by Bulldogs chief executive Campbell Rose. Most of Clayton's scouting has been centred on secondary school rugby sevens. He is intent on finding tall, mobile players in the mould of 196cm Naitanui.

Now this is the most interesting Bulldog's news I have read all year. Incredible. This Shaun Bassett bloke is a champion. Has anybody here ever met him? Interesting that you can tie up a player for just $1000. Means once you've identified some promising youngsters you can "reserve" them for basically nothing.

no one even knows what AFL is over there so it would be extremely hard to start setting up infrastructure etc. probably every country in the world has exciting athletes but trying to turn them into AFL stars is a different matter. Not particularly convinced its a viable option but if we offer money there'll be people involved. I'd start by having a look at the national and provincial sevens leagues, the speed and evasion skills some of those guys have is amazing. What will be harder is the teaching of kicking and handballing skills and reading of the play of course. Could be an interesting enterprise.

Clayton does love his athletic types doesn't he. As Troy said, this Shaun Bassett is a champ, putting in alot of money towards the club. We know that quite a few clubs are investing alot of time in Ireland, with a similar set up where you invest $1000 on each player your very interested in, for that, get first dibs on that player, a very good investment. Can't wait to see this Naitanui kid play, he really sounds like a freak, and from what is described, a cross between Buddy & Patty Ryder with his huge leap.

I don't know why but Bassett sounds really familiar... will have to look into it next home game. Great that someone has the faith to back a plan like this. Could be a nice little gold mine if it works out.

that thing thats good about fijians is that they will be use to rugby which is a similair ball shape so the physical side won't be a problem and kicking shouldn't be too hard to teach.

no one even knows what AFL is over there so it would be extremely hard to start setting up infrastructure etc. probably every country in the world has exciting athletes but trying to turn them into AFL stars is a different matter. Not particularly convinced its a viable option but if we offer money there'll be people involved. I'd start by having a look at the national and provincial sevens leagues, the speed and evasion skills some of those guys have is amazing. What will be harder is the teaching of kicking and handballing skills and reading of the play of course. Could be an interesting enterprise. I either read or heard on the radio a while back that they actually have a small Aussie Rules comp of around 8 - 10 sides, or something like that, the scope would be massive to break into this area, more so than Ireland in my opinion, even though they have their own game similar to ours. We could really get the jump on most teams here, could be a very exciting venture, and it's good to see the club going outside the square.

really? thats interesting, When I was living there i never heard anything about it, could be a new thing though, wouldn't be surprised if it was mainly made up of expat aussies and the like though, pretty big expat population. I remember we always had to go to the Australian embassy to watch any football. Over there its just rugby rugby rugby, but if people start getting interested then it could be great. I've always been surprised that there arent more fijians involved in rugby league in the NRL as well as at the international level, i mean the jump from union and sevens to league isnt quite as large as the jump to AFL. As a massive broad stereotype, they have some lightning fast players with really good evasive skills, some of their stepping is just awesome, would certainly confuse the opposition in the AFL for sure. some of the guys who play in union have great speed while at the same time being quite bulky with real leg power to break tackles.

Your right Maz. A lot of Islanders have a naturally large build and probably a higher proportion of fast twitch muscle fibers making them built for a fast hard game. A number of players have shown over time that you can pick up the foot skills of AFL in a couple of years so it's not too late for them because they haven't been playing the game all their life.

5000 islander hopefuls in recruiters sights Mark Stevens | October 03, 2008 12:00am http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24438501-19775,00.html THE Western Bulldogs are poised to sign up to four Fijians in an historic push into the South Pacific. As many 5000 hopefuls are expected to attend Bulldogs trials in Labasa and Suva later this month. Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton last night confirmed at least one player will be signed. But the Dogs are willing to commit to as many as four under AFL international rookie rules. After several months of planning, the Bulldogs hope the trials will uncover the next Nicholas Naitanui. And they are leaving nothing to chance, distributing 3000 posters throughout Coca-Cola outlets in Fiji. The posters urge anybody tall, fast and agile with a desire to play elite-level sport to attend. Ruckman Will Minson, who will travel to Fiji for the trials, appears on the posters with Josh Hill. The Labasa trial will be held on October 17, with the Dogs moving to Suva the next day. Naitanui, a top-three draft prospect of Fijian origin, sparked Clayton's interest in what was uncharted recruiting territory. Clayton, seduced by the athletic talents of Naitanui at first sight, has travelled to Fiji several times this year perusing talent. The Dogs' "Project Fiji" has been bankrolled by influential supporter and businessman Shaun Bassett. Clayton said the Fiji push was not a gimmick. "Everyone is looking at internationals. There are eight clubs in Ireland," Clayton said. "We aren't involved there, but we are on the ground now in Fiji." The Dogs will take advantage of a rule introduced in March that allows clubs to secure internationals for an up-front $1000 payment. It is likely the players signed will remain in Fiji next year, where they will be closely monitored. There is a strong chance any signed player who shows significant progress will then be relocated to Melbourne and added to the Dogs' list as an international rookie. Clubs can sign up to eight internationals a season for as little as $1000, in a move designed to promote international expansion. Previously, they could sign six players and had to pay them $10,000 each if they remained in their home country. The Herald Sun revealed the Dogs' Fiji experiment in April, but it has gathered significant momentum since, with trials and now a commitment to sign at least one player. Fiji is renowned for producing rugby greats; the Dogs are eyeing taller mobile athletes. The promotional material states: "Our primary focus will be on athletes with a strong vertical leap and exceptional ball handling skills who are tall, fast and agile . . . if you have these attributes, come along and try out, you might just be the next AFL superstar". Clayton has already built a strong network throughout Fiji, including members of Naitanui's extended family. He is intent of plucking players from the South Pacific before leaving to take up a new role with Gold Coast after the national draft. Backer Bassett, who runs a cleaning business, said early indications from Fiji were that 5000 could try out. He said the $1000 sign-on fee was not the main carrot, with Fijian athletes eyeing a five to 10-year career earning significantly more.

Sounds great. Hopefully we get that edge over the rest and pick up a beaut like Naitanui. The one reservation I would have is that Islanders can be very family-oriented (from what I've heard and judging by those I've met), and there will, not may, but will, be issues surrounding removing a young fella from his home and family. Hopefully the Dogs are prepared to deal with that better than they did with McMahon.

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