Pigeons impress at Joss State Zone Trials

The Pigeons spent last week at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview playing in the Under-15 and Under-16 Joss State Zone Trials.

Both age groups played gallantly throughout the course of the week, with a number of players impressing on the field and others getting a taste of AFL at another level.

AFL (NSW/ACT) State Talent Manager said all players came to the trials determined to get the most out of the week.

“The week was everything we expected plus more. The standard of play matched the standard of player preparation, recovery and behavior. It all sits well for where the program is heading,” Denneman said.

Fourteen teams came to Riverview and played in 42 games of AFL. The week offered kids the perfect platform to showcase their talents in front of AFL scouts and experienced coaches.

With former Carlton player Nick Stevens joining the Under-16 RAMS as an assistant coach, and dual All-Australia Rohan Smith coaching the Under-18 RAMS, the Talented Player Program is providing players with a system to make it on to AFL lists.

Jack Codd-Miller from the Pigeons said the week was a lot of fun and was beneficial to his development as an AFL footballer.

“The week has gone well. The level of footy raises a lot when it comes to these carnivals but the boys have gone well and it’s good to finally settle in and get a few good games under the belt,” he said.

“Playing against a lot of the country boys, they are known to be a lot tougher than us. We had a win over them, it’s a good confidence booster for Sydney footy in general and us boys.

“Everyone knows the (Swans and Team GWS) academy’s are there and everyone’s pushing a bit harder. We went to the Swans on Wednesday and got an introduction from the club and it’s good to see what you are working towards.”

Throughout the week the players were given a rare insight into the life of an AFL player as well as hearing education sessions on nutrition, conditioning, stretching, core stability, umpiring and what’s expected at the state level.

Doug Freeman, NSW talent scout with the Essendon Bombers, said there are many benefits of kids being a part of the Talented Player Program.

“To give kids in NSW a bigger opportunity, the program is the right way to go. It’s the right track to go down to encourage kids to play the game and to get top of the line coaching for 30 to 40 weeks of the year, which is going to be a benefit,” Freeman said.

“It also means the kids might not have to travel out of the state hopefully and they can now get on Swans and Team GWS lists, not that we (Essendon) wouldn’t mind a few kids. If they don’t want some, we will definitely be around looking to snaffle them somewhere.”

RESULTS

Under-15

Monday, April 12

Pigeons 6.2.38 defeated Starz 3.1.19
GOAL KICKERS
STARZ
M. Varjavandi 2, M. Baglin 1
PIGEONS
J. Claridge 1, J.Hiscox 1, J. Haggerty 4

Pigeons 9.9.63 defeated Heat 3.1.19
GOALKICKERS
PIGEONS
J. Stek 1, J. Hole 2, H. Millar 1, J. Hiscox 2, M. Stojanovski 2, J. David-Wright 1
HEAT
J. Hayes 1, D. Viney 1, C. McKay 1

Tuesday, April 13

Pigeons 5.4.34 defeated Stingrays 2.3.15
GOALKICKERS
PIGEONS
N. Stares 1, J. Guthrie 1, L. Perris 1, C. Andrews 1, J. Codd-Miller 1
STINGRAYS
T. Gaynor 1, J. Evens 1
Thursday, April 14

Pigeons 3.5.23 defeated Rebels 3.4.22
GOALKICKERS
REBELS
J. Baggio 1, J. Dalgliesh 1, L. Heinjus 1
PIGEONS
J. Stek 1, B. Polley 1

Cats 5.4.34 defeated Pigeons 3.3.21
GOALKICKERS
CATS
B.Ciuffetelli 1, E. Hodder 3, B. Van Dek Kolk 1
PIGEONS
A. Cooper 1, J. Claridge 1, S. Lonergan-Stewart 1

Friday, April 15

Pigeons 7.8.50 defeated Pioneers 2.2.14
GOALKICKERS
PIGEONS
J. Harris 1, James. Bamford 1, J. Hole 2, P. Syrros 1, C. Andrews 1, J. David-Wright 1
PIONEERS
M. Eastman 1, B. Thomas 1

Under-16

Monday, April 12

Starz 7.3.45 defeated Pigeons 0.1.1
GOALKICKERS
STARZ
R. Davies 1, B. Jack 2, F. Skulley 1, Z. Solter 1, H. Washington 1, R. Pryor 1

Heat 4.8.32 defeated Pigeons 3.2.20
GOALKICKERS
HEAT
B. Heaney 1, T. Thornton 1, H. Butchart 2
PIGEONS
B. Hodgson 1, M. Thomson 1, T. Green 1

Tuesday, April 13

Stingrays 6.1.37 defeated Pigeons 4.2.26
GOALKICKERS
STINGRAYS
J Scadding 1, T. Beckmans 1, Z. Williams 1, L. Gregurke 1, N. Kickett 1, M. Harley 1
PIGEONS
J. MacKinlay 1, J. Turnbull 1, A. Wynn 1, M. Jones 1
Thursday, April 14

Rebels 5.5.35 defeated Pigeons 4.1.25
GOALKICKERS
REBELS
L. Hampton 1, C. Slattery 2, H. Barker 2,
PIGEONS
J. Sullivan 1, T. Green 1 , C. Moller 2

Cats 5.4.34 defeated Pigeons 3.0.18
GOALKICKERS
CATS
J. Watman 1, G. Donovan 2, Pini 1, J. Campbell 1
PIGEONS
B. Plug 1, A.Wynn 2

Friday, April 15

Pigeons 5.2.32 defeated Pioneers 1.3.9
GOALKICKERS
PIGEONS
J. Sutherland 1, D. Lycakis 1, J. Lorinczi 1, T. Green 1, D. Cullen 1
PIONEERS
J. Dwyer