Youth Players In Squads

Youth Players In Squads

Was wondering if anyone (HN) knew how many of the other teams carry youth players in their squads who see little or no game time.I know the FFA says that you have to have them. 

I'll look at it later, but there are a few who have not seen much game time, and others have only seen it because of injury and suspension.

Most teams have been playing at least one or two youth players, no? (

Players that play pretty regularly:

Melbourne - Ryall, Patafta (though only recently in Kaz's case)
Adelaide - Burns, Sarkies, Ontong, Djite, Dez Giraldi, Cornthwaite (All under 23. There are a couple more I think too)
CCM - Vukovic, Porter, Simon, Boogard
Newcastle - Hearfield, D'Apuzzo, Hoffman, Elrich, Bridge, Musailik, Wheelhouse
Perth - Topor-Stanley, Downey, Rukavytsya, Velpahi
QLD - Kruse, Zullo
Sydney - Tsattalios, Zadkovich, Milligan, Casey
Us - Lia (I forget he's only 22), O'Dor

All I can remember.





valeo2007-12-10 21:05:29

Aren't youth players under 20?

Yes, only the U-20 players count.  Each side must have 3.

So for us its Barbarouses, Spoonley, and Draper, and out of them only Barbarouses has every played any part in an A-league match.

A little research and some memory says:

Cakes : Mullen (18), Burns, Djite, Ontong (All 20)

Salty Dogs : McAndrew, Redmayne (Both 18), Porter (20)

Tards : Ryall (18), Patafta, Broxham, Langerak (All 19), Berger (20)

Planes : Hoffman, Holland (both 18), Elrich, Hearfield, Kennedy (All 20)

Gory : Rukavytsya, Downey, Velaphi (All 20)

Clogs : Minniecon, Nichols (both 18), Zullo, Collapsible Kruse (both 19), Grossman (20)

Bling : Tsattalios (17), Vidaic (19), Biddle (19)

Mighty Phoenix : Barbarouses (17), Draper (18), Spoonley, O'Dor (both 20)

These are all the players eligible to have youth spots, not necessarily those that are registered for youth spots. 

The younger they are, the less likely they are to play (understandably), Ryall being the main exception although his starts have been influenced by injury and suspension.  Merrick certainly has seemed reluctant to start Faptafta who is meant to be the shining light of the Melbourne Youth ranks.
Hard News2007-12-10 21:52:43