I'm with you on this one tap. We have definitely received another short straw from our man Mike again.
This to me is the least possible development zone from the complete list. We are just the AFL's puppets (there is a better word but I'm not going to use it).

This zoning system is based on targeting multicultural and aboriginal players, often from disadvantaged families who wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to play football or progress through football pathways. Access to the best private schools and to traditional footy factories wouldn't be an advantage in this situation at all. In fact, access to a non-traditional area could be seen as advantageous.

This zoning system is based on targeting multicultural and aboriginal players, often from disadvantaged families who wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to play football or progress through football pathways. Access to the best private schools and to traditional footy factories wouldn't be an advantage in this situation at all. In fact, access to a non-traditional area could be seen as advantageous.

Look at the number of greats that have come from the Calder Cannons...bona-fide A graders.
Ryan O'Keefe,
Eddie Betts
Jude Bolton
Paul Chapman
James Kelly
Dane Swan
Jason Johnson

That is over 3 times the amount of A graders than the Northern Knights over their history.

Some good players, yeah (although Jason Johnson doesn't even qualify as that). But great players? Really?

Is that list really far more impressive than players like Chris Johnson, Anthony Rocca, Brent Harvey, Lance Whitnall, Nick Stevens, Leigh Montagna, Matthew Kreuzer, Trent Cotchin, Michael Hurley, Marcus Bontempelli?

Look obviously our zone is not going to produce many indigenous recruits, but it will be a hotbed of immigrant families who meet the criteria.

Similarly, the Western Jets' zone was split between North & the Bulldogs because it will be a target rich environment. The best part is it's going to be much easier for us to put boots on the ground to find talent, rather than hoping talent finds us.

My only issue with the current zoning system is we still don't know what's happening with Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Also as a club we've made a long term investment in the old Preston VFL team. And presumably we want to 'own' the northern suburbs. So it makes all sorts of sense for us to be linked with the Northern Knights.

Definitely, I have to admit I don't rate these players as A graders. Calder Cannons has been a much better club than the Northern Knights.

Whitnall was never an A grade player. He had one good year where he made the All-Australian, but that doesn't make him an A- grader. He drifted through his career, rarely impacting in a significant way.

Nick Stevens - b grade,
Kreuzer - not even close to being A grade. Never been even selected for All-Australian squad, or come close to the best and fairest.
Cotchin...perhaps he could be viewed as an A grader...but his finals record isn't that great. Chris Johnson was pretty handy as well.
Hurley? done nothing of note.
Bontempelli - starting his career.

Premiership players- Calder Cannons

Milburn
Johnson m
Johnson j
Kelly
OKeefe
Chapman
Mahoney
Bolton J
Lonergan
d Swan

double Northern Knights.
Also similar type of figures with recruiting. In some years the Knights have had just one player selected in the draft.
It is a footy wasteland.

Northern Knights - C Johnson, Caracella, Moorcraft, R Shaw, B Johnson

Premiership players- Calder Cannons

Milburn
Johnson m
Johnson j
Kelly
OKeefe
Chapman
Mahoney
Bolton J
Lonergan
d Swan

double Northern Knights.
Also similar type of figures with recruiting. In some years the Knights have had just one player selected in the draft.
It is a footy wasteland.

Northern Knights - C Johnson, Caracella, Moorcroft, R Shaw, B Johnson