Following the conclusion of the Division Two NAB AFL U18 National Championships, six AFLNT State Academy players have been selected to represent the Allies team in the Division One Championships.
Following the conclusion of the Division Two NAB AFL U18 National Championships, six AFLNT State Academy players have been selected to represent the Allies team in the Division One Championships.
Nightcliff players Brandan Parfitt and Lachlan McKenzie will join St Mary’s players Ben Long and Tony Olango plus Alice Springs locals, Jamie Hampton (Pioneer FC) and Rohan Armstrong (South Alice FC) in the 30-man squad which is made up of players from Queensland and NSW/ACT.
AFLNT U18 Head Coach, Andrew Hodges, said it was the greatest number of spots the NT had filled on an Allies team.
“Last year we had three chosen and in 2014 we had only one representative in Nakia Cockatoo, so to have six this year is a great result for the program.
“It is very pleasing and just reward for these guys and the work they’ve done the past couple of years and especially the last six months,” Hodges said.
“Hopefully Division One Nationals is just the next step and they can go on to experience the same success as Nakia.”
Hodges will be an assistant coach to the Allies team, with ex-AFL player Tadhg Kennelly appointed as Head Coach. AFLNT High Performance Manager, Wally Gallio has been appointed as Allies Team Manager.
The NAB AFL U18 Division One Championships will run every weekend throughout June. The full schedule can be viewed here: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/u18s
U16s
This weekend is also the last hit-out for the AFLNT State Academy U16 players before a squad for the NAB AFL U16 National Championships is decided.
Two games will be played at TIO Stadium against the North West Academy, which includes players from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions.
From these two games and two sides Hodges will select a squad of 30 to go on and represent the NT Thunder at the NAB AFL U16 National Championships.
“Since there is no longer a Division Three competition the AFL have aligned us with North West Academy so that we are able to select up to six players to join our NT Thunder team for Nationals,” Hodges said.
“We generally look for kids on their team to fill positions that we’re not predominantly known for in the Territory, the taller ruck types and inside mids.”
Hodges said after months of training the U16s are raring to go.
“Our boys have already played a couple of trial games against Scotch College but they’ve been training really hard three times a week and after three months of training and no real games having a hit out this weekend and putting their best foot forward is a welcome opportunity,” Hodges said.
AFLNT vs North West Academy
Friday 27 May – TIO Oval 2 – 8:30pm
Saturday 28 May – TIO Stadium – 6:00pm
For more information on the NAB AFL U16s National Championships visit: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/u16s