Much has been made of Greater Western Sydney's priority access to the Riverina region in recent weeks and the debut performance of Jacob Hopper on the weekend will only serve to intensify the debate.

Hopper produced one of the great first-up performances against Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium, accruing 32 disposals (17 contested), nine clearances and seven inside 50s on the way to a Rising Star nomination.

The purpose of academies and zones is to develop regions of Australia which aren't traditionally associated with elite footy talent.

When you look at the below list of notable Riverina products, it's crystal clear that the region is no "football wilderness".

Wayne Carey (North Melbourne, Adelaide)

272 games, 727 goals (1989-2001, 2003-04). Original club: North Wagga.

Arguably the greatest player of all time, "The King" made the toughest position on the ground – centre half-forward – his own. He was handed the North Melbourne captaincy at just 21 and led the club for nine seasons, including two premierships. Carey's stellar career also featured two AFLPA MVPs, seven All-Australian selections (four times as captain) and four best-and-fairests. He was later inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, North Melbourne Hall of Fame and was named captain of the North Melbourne Team of the Century.

Paul Kelly (Sydney)

234 games, 200 goals (1990-2002). Original club: Wagga Tigers.

One of the toughest, skilful and most uncompromising midfielders of his generation, the Wagga native was the complete package. Like Carey, he was made club captain at a young age (23), won four best-and-fairests and has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. He also claimed the 1995 Brownlow Medal, earned three All-Australian gongs, skippered his side for a decade and was named the vice-captain of the Sydney Team of the Century.

Shane Crawford (Hawthorn)

305 games, 224 goals (1992-2008). Original club: Finley.

Another member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, was a champion midfielder who was Hawthorn's best player for a very long time. He finished up with four All-Australians, four best-and-fairests, the 1999 Brownlow Medal, the 1999 AFLPA MVP and was club captain for six seasons (1999-2004). Famously capped off his glittering career with a surprise premiership in 2008.

Premiership Hawk Shane Crawford. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

Bill Mohr (St Kilda)

195 games, 735 goals (1929-1941). Original club: Wagga Wagga.

One of the greatest goalkickers the game has seen, 17th on the all-time list. Was the competition's leading goalkicker in1936, won two best-and-fairests, represented Victoria 18 times and was named on the half-forward flank of St Kilda's Team of the Century. He was later inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Terry Daniher (South Melbourne, Essendon)

313 games, 469 goals (1976-1992). Original club: Ungarie.

The champion centre half-forward is arguably the best captain Essendon has had since the legendary Dick Reynolds. Fearless and tough as nails, Daniher was a born leader and knew where the goals were as well. He guided the Bombers to their back-to-back premierships in 1984-85, earned All-Australian selection three times (including once as captain), won a VFLPA MVP, a best-and-fairest, induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was named on the half-forward flank of Essendon's Team of the Century.

Terry Daniher lifts the 1985 premiership cup with Kevin Sheedy. Photo: Supplied

Neale Daniher (Essendon)

82 games, 32 goals (1979-1990). Original club: Ungarie.

The incredibly talented defender was destined for greatness before a series of serious knee injuries cut him down in his prime. Won the Bombers' best-and-fairest in just his third season and was named captain of the club the next year, although he was never able to actually lead the side out onto the park. Made up for his interrupted playing career with a great 10-year stint as coach of Melbourne which included six finals series, two preliminary finals and a grand final in 2000.

John Longmire (North Melbourne)

200 games, 511 goals (1988-1999). Original club: Corowa Rutherglen.

A prolific goalkicker for the Kangaroos, he led their goalkicking for five consecutive seasons (1990-1994) and won the Coleman Medal in 1990 with 98 majors. He also won a best-and-fairest for them and played in a premiership in his 200th and final AFL game in 1999. Is now the coach of Sydney and steered them to an upset grand final victory over Hawthorn in 2012.

John Longmire celebrates with the 1999 premiership cup. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

Billy Brownless (Geelong)

198 games, 441 goals (1986-1997). Original club: Jerilderie.

Starred in the Cats' forward line for many years alongside the great Gary Ablett senior and even led the club's goalkicking in 1992 despite Ablett playing a full season that year. Was named in the 1991 All-Australian team on the interchange bench but missed out on an elusive premiership despite playing in four grand finals. Holds the record for most goals kicked at the Gabba (11).

King of Geelong: Bill Brownless. Photo: Terry Phelan

Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

174 games, 349 games (2007- ). Original club: Finley.

A steal for the Cats as a father-son recruit, Hawkins has become one of the game's most dominant key forwards with his hulking frame almost impossible to counter in one-on-one contests. Already has a couple of premierships, a best-and-fairest and an All-Australian guernsey to his credit and has led the Cats' goalkicking for the past four seasons.

David Murphy (Sydney)

156 games, 92 goals (1984-1993). Original club: Turvey Park.

A quick wingman who formed a formidable partnership with champion Greg Williams in Sydney's midfield in the 1980s. Earned All-Australian honours in 1988 and was named on the wing in Sydney's Team of the Century. Represented both New South Wales and Victoria at state of origin level.

Cameron Mooney (North Melbourne, Geelong)

221 games, 297 goals (1997-2011). Original club: Turvey Park.

His career got off to a rocky start at the Kangaroos but went on to become the spearhead for a significant chunk of Geelong's most recent golden era. Was a key to their 2007 and 2009 flags, having led their goalkicking in both seasons, and finished his career as a three-time premiership player as he also featured in North Melbourne's 1999 triumph. He made the All-Australian team in 2007.

Former Cat Cameron Mooney. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

Bernard Toohey (Geelong, Sydney, Footscray)

263 games, 115 goals (1981-1993). Original club: Barooga.

A very talented and durable footballer who played most of his career as a backman but also showed he was capable as a forward with bags of eight, seven and six goals to his credit. He led the Swans' goalkicking in 1989 and earned All-Australian honours in 1987 in defence.

Leo Barry (Sydney)

237 games, 56 goals (1995-2009). Original club: Deniliquin.

Best known for taking one of the most famous marks in VFL/AFL history - in the dying stages of the 2005 grand final to ensure the Swans broke their 72-year premiership drought. The star defender was also a dual All-Australian and earned a reputation for making life very tough for opposition forwards.

Luke Breust (Hawthorn)

124 games, 244 goals (2009- ). Original club: Temora.

One of the most accurate shots for goal in the game, he has an astonishing career conversion rate of 68.7 per cent and equalled Tony Lockett's record for most consecutive goals without a behind (29). A key member of Hawthorn's three-peat of premierships, he was named on the half-forward flank of the 2014 All-Australian team.

Hawks goalscorer Luke Breust. Photo: Getty Images