So I went and read the base research for Niall's article. Although it is a bit eclectic, you should too:
Journalism 101
So much ground to cover here. FWIW, up front, my wife and I have sent both our boys to what you would probably call an elite school. It has just about broken us. The youngest one's schooling is still in jeopardy as we struggle with the financial burden. But in our favour we are back to one next year as the oldest one has just completed his ATAR. Is it worth it? No. Is it better than the alternative? Yes. It's a tough decision. I went to Northam Senior High School. My wife South Hedland High School. Hardly pretentious. Perhaps we are aspirational, but who doesn't want the best for their kids? But I digress.
Up front, this school does not offer sporting scholarships. I'm confident that they do not exist at this school. But the suggestion is that they do exist at other PSA schools in one guise or another, and that is the thin edge of the wedge. I honestly believe we are perhaps 10 years behind Victoria in private schools vacuuming up available talent through financial assistance. Does this school develop talent? Not really. It just accumulates talent and puts it together, typically under someone who has at least been in the AFL system. But by way of example, my oldest son is good overhead, tough inside, neat on both sides, excellent decision maker, lacks running power. Really coachable. But systematically ignored. Next to no coaching or encouragement, and sadly the PSA demands that you give up your external club in high school. In my opinion PSA schools love flashy kids who try to run around the tackler and spray the footy forward. Don't seem to see much individual improvement in them to be honest, they are skill-capped. I think some of the development available in cricket and rugby is actually better. But that might be a bit harsh.
I read a study four years ago that flagged "Perth's leafy western suburbs have defied a worldwide trend to emerge as Australia's most productive hotspot for Olympic talent." (as opposed to other international research into what is known as "the birthplace effect" highlighting regional areas as the key producers of Olympic athletes). The article named Claremont, Nedlands, and Cambridge specifically as the cluster- effectively the same feeder for the western suburbs-based PSA schools. Should be no real surprise that some ok footballers are then also available in that area, and feeding in to those schools.
Walking past a taxi last night I heard an additional addendum to the over-representation of private schools on AFL lists, stating that 4 of the Western Bulldogs father-son choices came from the same private school, highlighting perhaps that the fathers had made some money from football (not easily done a generation prior), and were able to offer perceived better education and sporting opportunities as a result. From the choices we have made, it is very understandable.