Chat with Leon Harris - Brisbane Lions recruiter
A long-time club recruiter for the Brisbane Lions dropped in to say hi to some of his old workmates at MSA this week. Leon Harris was the first head coach of the AFL program here at MSA, and we spoke to him about the world of recruiting in the AFL today.
We started by asking him if he believes AFL clubs have changed what they are looking for in a footballer.
“Yes and no,” said Harris. “We are still looking for the most talented players we can possibly get. When I first started with the Lions, we were at the bottom of the ladder and had early picks and multiple picks. Things have really changed in that area for us—as it does with success. We now have later picks and fewer of them. What has really worked for us is the father-son rule in the AFL and our academy—being able to get the Ashcroft boys and Jaspa Fletcher. But back to your question: talented players will always get a look-in. We still need talented players with good football IQ.”
Harris also spoke about the U16 and U18 national competitions and the role they play in helping selectors find players.
“The national competitions are now back to where they were prior to COVID, which is great after losing their way a little bit. Back in the day when I was coaching the Vic Metro team, the tournament was all over and done within 10 days. Now, it’s spread over six weekends. This weekend is the first, with SA playing the Allies in Sydney. All the AFL recruiters will be getting their folders out and hopping onto the circuit for the next six weeks, following the national games.”
Leon’s advice to our group of AFL students is to do your best at every opportunity you get. “If you do your best, you give yourself a chance to stand out. There’s no doubt it’s not easy to get drafted, but MSA has had some great examples of players being drafted from here. Zak Butters and Touk Miller are just a couple of players who have been great for their clubs over a period. They are fantastic role models, and a few others are really starting to find their way.”
“We have Tom McGuane and Jackson Barber playing for Vic Metro Under-18s this year. Griffin Barker, Slayde Law, Ollie Castro, and Archie King are in the U16s, and Braith Lafaiali’i is in the Vic Metro U15s. There is great talent at the school now in both the boys’ and girls’ squads, and they all give themselves a chance to become draftable players.”
One player who has really worked hard and taken his opportunity is Buku Khamis from the Western Bulldogs. “Yeah, Buku has really kicked on this year. He’s been given an opportunity to play consistently, and he’s put 6 to 8 games together giving himself a chance to have a good career. That’s exactly what Buku is doing at the moment, which is great.”
Leon Harris played 186 with Fitzroy, before becoming one of the AFL’s leading authorities on junior players.
