WESTERN Sydney high performance coach Alan McConnell admits his position won't be truly defined until the draft concessions for the prospective club are set.
McConnell, in charge of identifying talent, closed the opening day of the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships with a 'Club 18' address to the parents of the players participating.
NSW/ACT, a squad of the most likely western Sydney recruits, met Queensland at Blacktown Olympic Park Oval on Friday and McConnell said he enjoyed informing parents their sons could end up on western Sydney's inaugural list.
"This was the first time I presented on behalf of the club," McConnell told afl.com.au.
"I woke up this morning really excited to be here. It's also different, because in the past I've been here at the championships for a different set of reasons; sitting in the crowd watching young boys play, knowing often after a day of footy that they and their parents are going to be a part of the AIS/AFL Academy for 12 months.
"Now the excitement is the same, but the vision and the pathway are different and it's a longer term project. It has some complexities, without clarity around rules at this stage, but that'll come to the fore over the next few months."
McConnell has coached at more levels than any other Australian football coach in the country and before his western Sydney appointment held the role with the AIS/AFL Academy.
His resume also includes senior coach of Fitzroy for two stints in that club's last two seasons in the AFL.
In contrast, McConnell will be central to building western Sydney's first list and said it was vital that those players representing NSW/ACT were not caught up in the off-field issues it would attract.
"We've got to make sure they're not part of the political football – they're come here to enjoy the national championships and play the best footy they can at a good level," he said.
"Things like our ability to scholarship players and what access we'll get to the rest of the state – they're issues we need to clarify, not just for the 'Club 18' but for the boys whose lives it's likely to affect.
"I wish I'd been good enough at the same age to represent my state, so we must not detract from that experience."
McConnell has recently returned from an overseas field trip with AFL game development boss David Matthews and Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley.
It meant he only met the western Sydney advisory board on Friday, the same day it was unveiled to the public.
"I was appointed a month ago and I've been overseas for a month and the role officially started today," he said.
"My job is going to evolve, just as the club will," he added.
"I was quite aware of that when I put my hand up, but it doesn't get any better than this – the chance to influence a club, its structure and its culture from the outset.
"It's just a remarkable experience and I'm really blessed to be in the position I'm in."
