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Geelong have signed Kerry U20 star Stefan Okunbor (Munster U20 player of the year as well):
Collingwood have signed Derry's Anton Tohill (big lad at 6"6):
and Cork's Mark Keane:
The trend the past number of years seems to be that they are targeting younger and younger players. Makes sense I suppose, as the AFL club can control their development much better at that age. Of course not all of them will pan out though, damn shame for their GAA counties though! Losing some of them top young players, it less affects a power-house like Kerry, but Derry could do with a player of Anton's quality coming through (plus Conor Glass is already over there).
A few months ago Dublin's James Madden signed for Brisbane too (set a combine record for 20m sprint):
I guess for the AFL clubs it makes a lot of sense, they can stick these young lads on Category B rookie contracts for a few years and hope they develop into top players. If they don't they haven't lost much since that contract can only be used for overseas players. I did see Ciaran Byrne has come home though and he looked a quality player, remember than happened with Daniel Flynn and Ciaran Kilkenny too. Seems like homesickness is a big factor.
From the players perspective you can see the appeal obviously. GAA counties, even the biggest like Dublin and Kerry can't offer the lifestyle of professional sport, and living in Australia. They can always come back and walk into their county teams most of the time after a few years anyway.
@TankAbbott4Eva
Collingwood have signed Derry's Anton Tohill (big lad at 6"6):
and Cork's Mark Keane:
The trend the past number of years seems to be that they are targeting younger and younger players. Makes sense I suppose, as the AFL club can control their development much better at that age. Of course not all of them will pan out though, damn shame for their GAA counties though! Losing some of them top young players, it less affects a power-house like Kerry, but Derry could do with a player of Anton's quality coming through (plus Conor Glass is already over there).
A few months ago Dublin's James Madden signed for Brisbane too (set a combine record for 20m sprint):
I guess for the AFL clubs it makes a lot of sense, they can stick these young lads on Category B rookie contracts for a few years and hope they develop into top players. If they don't they haven't lost much since that contract can only be used for overseas players. I did see Ciaran Byrne has come home though and he looked a quality player, remember than happened with Daniel Flynn and Ciaran Kilkenny too. Seems like homesickness is a big factor.
From the players perspective you can see the appeal obviously. GAA counties, even the biggest like Dublin and Kerry can't offer the lifestyle of professional sport, and living in Australia. They can always come back and walk into their county teams most of the time after a few years anyway.
@TankAbbott4Eva