Finding shining AFL stars in Coffs

Former Geelong premiership captain Tom Harley checks out the local AFL talent taking part in an AFL Combine held in Coffs Harbour.

ROB WRIGHT

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• Harley is still the Top Cat

DUAL AFL premiership captain Tom Harley is certain that one day soon a player from this region will be playing in the AFL for the Sysney Swans.

"It will happen," Harley said.

"It might be a kid from Coffs, it might be from Port Macquarie, it might be a kid from Grafton playing for the Sydney Swans through the talent Academy zone set-up and it's going to be a significant milestone."

Harley is in Coffs Harbour this week as the new General Manager of AFL (NSW/ACT) where he's running an eye over the young talent playing at the Joss State Zone Trials.

The veteran of 197 games for Geelong is an avid fan of the Academy system that has been set-up by the two AFL clubs in NSW and is aware of how much time and effort the Sydney Swans is putting into finding talented youngsters in Northern NSW which is one of its regions.

"The Swans Academy is a significant investment on their behalf to basically to get kids drafted out of New South Wales and on the Swans' list so you develop local heroes," he said.

"Paul Roos is up here this week and the Swans Academy is here for the State Zone Trials with their teams Northern Coast which goes from the Hunter right up through Northern NSW as well as Sydney North and Sydney South.

"They've developed programs for alternative athletes to identify them, attract them and actually fast track them on to having an AFL career."

Another aspect of Harley's venture north is to hold discussions with Coffs Harbour City Council regarding ways to further enhance the AFL brand in the region.

Already the AFL along with Cricket NSW has helped to invest in having old lighting from BCU International Stadium moved to Fitzroy Oval which will benefit local club Coffs Swans enormously.

Harley said that he believes the local AFL competition has already built a strong working relationship with Council and his task is made easier because of that.

"We've got partnerships with proactive local governments who are really keen to invest in basically what at the end of the day is a healthy lifestyle choice for kids and creating an environment for parents to be involved."

*** See Saturday's Advocate for the full interview with Tom Harley as he has Two Beers with Greeny.