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A-League Mens 24/25 - Round 12

Barca4life said:
Could Melbourne City be the next big movers in the academy space? I feel Sydney FC still have the best academy but with the likes of Melbourne City they might threaten the crown I have been impressed in how they play control a game with their youth.

They also got the resources, facilities and connections to the Man City group training methods...
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I think that AU, CCM, MCity and SFC have good academies and this is shown by the number of young players that get overseas contracts. It also comes down to cohorts - a particular club academy may have several players attain professional contracts but the next batch are not ready yet.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
I think that AU, CCM, MCity and SFC have good academies and this is shown by the number of young players that get overseas contracts. It also comes down to cohorts - a particular club academy may have several players attain professional contracts but the next batch are not ready yet.
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Yep each club is different, Adelaide United uses the NTC program as well to a great effect.

It will be interesting to see who will the best into the future, it’s an evolving space.
 
SocceroosFan said:
Did you watch the Roar v Newcastle game last night mate? Watching the Roar play drains your energy
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I thought that was very open and attacking Brisbane are going nowhere with their coach. He doesn't look positive on the sidelines.

Perth, Brisbane and the bye round have really anchored the competition this year actually.
 
Barca4life said:
Could Melbourne City be the next big movers in the academy space? I feel Sydney FC still have the best academy but with the likes of Melbourne City they might threaten the crown I have been impressed in how they play control a game with their youth.

They also got the resources, facilities and connections to the Man City group training methods...
Click to expand...

Actually, what I am hearing is that Victory have much better academies than City and Western.

And that’s not my Victory bias talking, that is what I have heard first hand from the ground. The elite youngsters in Melbourne want to train with the Victory academy over the other 2.

And to be fair, despite the poor running of the club and ownership issues in recent years, the club made a massive about turnaround when it comes to youth development post pandemic. And the evidence is there for everyone to see… The youth team has won promotion in consecutive years and are now in NPL1. City and Western are in NPL2.

The biggest issue (of course) is still not having a permanent academy site. There have been rumours for years about new sites since the Footscray Park debacle in 2019… although Maribyrnong College (where the Victory academy is currently training) is a pretty elite venue.
 
FeedTheBrox said:
Actually, what I am hearing is that Victory have much better academies than City and Western.

And that’s not my Victory bias talking, that is what I have heard first hand from the ground. The elite youngsters in Melbourne want to train with the Victory academy over the other 2.

And to be fair, despite the poor running of the club and ownership issues in recent years, the club made a massive about turnaround when it comes to youth development post pandemic. And the evidence is there for everyone to see… The youth team has won promotion in consecutive years and are now in NPL1. City and Western are in NPL2.

The biggest issue (of course) is still not having a permanent academy site. There have been rumours for years about new sites since the Footscray Park debacle in 2019… although Maribyrnong College (where the Victory academy is currently training) is a pretty elite venue.
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It depends on where you live. If you are 15 years old and live in Epping would you prefer to travel to Casey or Maribyrnong?
I think over time the three clubs will service three different geographical regions. And as I mentioned, the young players that are getting overseas offers are predominantly from City, AU, SFC & CCM. I know that MVC were late into getting into youth development but they are making strides.

The facilities do help but more critical are the staff who can assess, motivate and teach the young players. This is where the hard work lies.

As far as I am concerned, the better our youth academies the better it will be for the competition and the Socceroos. My concern is that the other clubs are falling behind in youth development.

BTW Arzani, Jordi Valodon and Kasey Bos are all ex-city players.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
It depends on where you live. If you are 15 years old and live in Epping would you prefer to travel to Casey or Maribyrnong?
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Not necessarily. A family member of mine was cut from Victory youth U14's at the last phase (he's 12 yo, so he can re-apply next season). He was then offered to train with the new FA academy at the HOTM.

The family member lives 10 minutes away from the Victory Academy. The HOTM in Bundoora is a big hike for a 12 yo. But if you're motivated and ambitious, you'll do it (and he is).
 
Watched nearly all the Melb Vic v WSW game.

It was a good match.

Impressed by a lot of clean tackling from Priestman and Brillante from WSW in the first half, when Vic had a lot of ball. MV should have converted more goals in the first 45 mins.

Ripping Milanovic goal! Didn't think he was involved and busy as normal. Saw one good action where he beat Geria with a nice Brazilian inside stepover, but the Socceroo recovered to win an excellent sliding tackle a few steps later.

Thought Arzani was a class act, every time he received the ball. He doesn't seem to have to assume a perfect body position to play forwards - he still seems to be able to play, or move forwards from receiving in such tight spaces with an imperfect body shape.

Valadon too, but more from his vision in passing over range with eye of the needle passes, plus being integral in Vic keeping the ball moving in team build ups in tight spaces.

Was also pleased to find the Centre Back for WSW Betigo ? is a 22 yo Aussie, plus striker Sapsford is another 21 yo Aussie. Very difficult to select a best AL U 23 Aus team this season, with so many in the AL this age and younger.
 
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