Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Jack Peris are the Territory’s newest AFL recruits following today’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
Jesse Motlop, son of former AFL North Kangaroos, Port Adelaide and TIO NTFL Wanderers player Daniel Motlop was selected in last night’s National Draft by Carlton Football Club at pick number 27.
These players join former Cazalys NT Thunder Academy and TIO NTFL Palmerston Magpies player Sandy Brock who joined the Gold Coast SUNS senior list in late October.
Andy Moniz-Wakefield has found a home at Melbourne Football Club after being chosen as a Category B Rookie as an AFL Next Generation Academy selection.
Jack Peris was added to the St Kilda Football Club list, also via a Category B selection as an AFL Next Generation Academy selection.
Former Cazalys NT Thunder Academy and TIO NTFL Nightcliff Football Club midfielder Moniz-Wakefield is known for his silky style around the ball and his ability to kick goals. This year he played in the two-game NT NAB League showcase and also proved handy in the Allies squad before heading to South Australia for AFL Draft Combine testing.
Fellow Nightcliff Tiger Jack Peris, son of Australian sporting royalty, Nova Peris OAM and the late Daniel Batman, both of whom competed in Athletics in the Olympic games, has continued his family legacy by putting his name in sporting lights. Lightening quick Peris who has a personal best of 10.97 seconds for a 100-metre sprint put his athletics career on the back burner last year to focus on his Draft aspiration.
The NT born and bred Cazalys NT Thunder Academy player now lives in Melbourne and spent time playing for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League resulting in him being affiliated to St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy.
AFLNT Talent Manager Simon Hargrave said he is excited to see more Territory talents enter the AFL system.
“We are thrilled Andy and Jack have found their homes at AFL Clubs. The NT has had great success with AFL stars emerging from both the Cazalys NT Thunder Academy and Allies and these boys prove no different. They have shown great talent and dedication to improving their game throughout their time within the Academy,” he said.
“Six weeks out of the NAB AFL Draft Combine, Andy was training six days a week to improve his chances. He even left his work in order to prepare for the Combine.
“It is great to see Jack, another NT boy be able to train and hopefully play alongside mentor and fellow Territory boy, Ben Long at St Kilda and also see another Motlop name enter the elite game for the Blues!”
AFLNT has a strong focus on strengthening its steppingstones to elite footy from the ground up to help get more local stars listed with AFL clubs. The Cazalys NT Thunder Academy is an important asset for finding, growing and celebrating the next generation of Territory AFL legends.