Hawks star hails NSW pathway

By Andrew Wu

Breust, who finished level with superboot Tony Lockett on 29 for the most consecutive goals scored without a behind, is a supporter of the academy system, which was at the heart of the blue between Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham and his Collingwood counterpart Eddie McGuire.

Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold has also weighed into the issue, calling for an overhaul of the bidding system used to access academy graduates.

The Swans Academy had not been established when Breust, 23, was a junior. Instead, he arrived on Hawthorn’s rookie list via the Swans’ reserves team, with whom he won a Canberra league premiership, the NSW/ACT Rams in the National Under-18s Championships, and his local club Temora in the NSW Riverina area.

If Breust was a junior today, he would be on the radar of the Giants, who have access to southern NSW. Breust’s cousin Jake Barrett, who was also a talented rugby league player, was picked by the Giants last year with a NSW zone selection.

Breust said players from his home state had a better chance now of finding their way onto an AFL list than when he was a junior.

”There’s a few local boys from back home who are in the Giants Academy. They really enjoy it and think it’s great for their development to get away from Temora and into Sydney, and have access to quality coaches and resources that can help better their game,” Breust said.

The Rams had three players selected in the under-18 All Australian team this year but there could be up to 10 in line to be drafted later this year.

”It seemed like back when I was growing up, if one guy got drafted from NSW it was pretty good. Now it seems like there’s some pretty talented guys,” Breust said.

”Just look at the under-18 carnival this year. Three or four guys got into the All Australian side and there’s another handful of guys who have a chance of getting drafted or rookied. The chances are definitely there for NSW guys to get picked up and make it into the AFL.

”I think the pathways to get into AFL footy for NSW kids is a lot easier [now]. The resources and talent programs are there. If you’re willing to work hard, you can make it from NSW or anywhere in Australia.”

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