A record seven Territorians have been named in the Allies squad for the upcoming camp in Melbourne from 26th – 27th May 2017.
A record seven Territorians have been named in the Allies squad for the upcoming camp in Melbourne from 26th – 27th May 2017.
Final team selection will mean they play in the AFL Under 18 Division One Championships in June-July.
Exciting NT Thunder forward Adam Sambono has been included in the Allies squad ahead of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, despite turning 20 last month.
Under AFL rules a player can be picked at under-18 level "in exceptional and compelling circumstances" if he doesn't meet regular criteria, with the League believing Sambono's talent and background should see him get an opportunity for the Allies despite being two years older than the draft pool.
He hails from Daly River, 200km from Darwin, and has not played in the AFL's under-aged championships before, but is in brilliant form and kicked five goals for NT Thunder last weekend.
Clubs were notified of Sambono's inclusion on Monday, with the full Allies squad released ahead of next month's national carnival. Sambono is too old to be eligible as a part of any club's Next Generation Academy zone.
Along with Sambono, the following players from the NT have been selected:
Rodney Baird
Position: Utility Player
Club: Palmerston
Baird was an AFL Flying Boomerang in 2015 and was awarded one of the “Outstanding Leaders”. He has been invited to join the NT Thunder Senior Training Squad.
Zac Bailey
Position: Midfielder
Club: Southern Districts
Bailey attends Prince Alfred's College in Adelaide which he has attended for the past three years and has come through the NT State Academy Program. Plays in a variety of positions.
Jeremiah Scrutton
Position: Key Position
Club: North Adelaide/Ti Tree Rosters
Scrutton has lived in Adelaide for the past two years with his mum to further develop his schooling and football. He was born and raised in the NT at Ti Tree and has been a valuable asset in the AFLNT Academy Program for the past two years.
Tony Olango
Position: Key Position
Club: St Mary’s/NT Thunder
Tony has continued to grow his game with NT Thunder and after extensive rehabilitation played the last two games in the AFL Academy Series which impressed recruiting staff and Allies selectors.
Matthew Green
Position: Utility
Club: Sporties Spitfire, Tennant Creek
Green has impressed as a 17 year old and has done more miles travelling than anyone else. He has added speed and leadership to his game this year and was voted the MVP for the NT in the AFL Academy Series.
Adam Sambono
Position: Forward
Club: Darwin Buffaloes/NT Thunder
Exciting prospect who has attracted attention from AFL Clubs. Has impressed early in the NEAFL Season for NT Thunder winning a Rising Star award leading the goal kicking.
Domonic Grant
Position: Midfield
Club: Wanderers/NT Thunder
National Level 2 Academy Holder that has continued to improve his game at National level and is also an NT Thunder Senior player.
AFLNT High Performance Manager Wally Gallio says “It is very pleasing to have such a high number of Territorians selected to attend the Allies camp. This will give them every opportunity to put themselves on the National Stage in front of AFL recruiters and playing against the best players of their age group.”