Seven players named in AIS-AFL Academy

The 61 players will receive an AIS-AFL Academy scholarship and will come together four times over the next 12 months for training camps. Both squads will also travel overseas.

AIS-AFL Assistant Coach and AFL International Talent Coordinator Tadhg Kennelly said the seven selections are proof of the strength of young talent coming through the NSW/ACT talent pathways.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to have four players from NSW/ACT in the Level One AIS-AFL Academy along with three players in Level Two squad,” he said.

“Fantastic work has been done by both the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy and we are now starting to see the fruits of some fantastic labour by a lot of people involved in football development throughout NSW/ACT.”

The Level One squad was selected following the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. They will be coached by AFL Engagement and Talent Co-ordinator Chris Johnson.

There are four players from NSW/ACT in the Level One squad with NSW/ACT Rams Under-16 captain Callum Mills, from Sydney’s north, headlining the selections.

Joining him in the squad are Riverina products Jacob Hopper, Dylan McDonald and Jock Cornell.

AIS-AFL High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin will coach the Level Two squad. Players in this squad are eligible to be drafted in 2014.

Three players from NSW/ACT have graduated from the Level One program in 2012-2013 and been selected in the Level Two program this year.

Newcastle’s Isaac Heeney was selected in the Academy after a strong performance at the recent NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships and will be joined by the ACT’s Liam Griffiths and Albury’s Nicholas Coughlan who both missed the carnival due to injuries.

The AIS-AFL Academy commenced in 1997. Since that time, 33 graduates have played in a premiership, 25 have been named an All-Australian at least once, 18 have won their club’s best and fairest, 11 have been the number one selection at the NAB AFL Draft, four have won the NAB AFL Rising Star and three have won the Norm Smith Medal.　

In 2013 there are 204 AIS-AFL Academy players on AFL lists. These players have played a combined 13,827 AFL games and have kicked 9507 goals.

National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said the Academy program prepares players for the rigours of AFL football.

“The players will experience elite training and mentoring that will help their development both on and off the field. Both squads will also represent their country overseas which is unique in our game.

“We are constantly striving to give the players the best preparation for life as a professional athlete,” he said.

Level One

Comments by AIS-AFL Assistant Coach and AFL International Talent Coordinator Tadhg Kennelly

Jacob Hopper – Leeton-Whitton

Jacob has great game sense/footy smarts and is a very clean one-touch footballer. He has enormous athletic ability and is a versatile footballer who can play in many different positions.

Jock Cornell – Mangoplah/Murray Bushrangers

Medium to key forward with clean hands, he is very strong in the air and on the ground. Jock impressed throughout the NAB AFL Under-16 National Championships kicking 10 goals in three games and was able to pinch hit on ball and win a lot of his own footy.

Callum Mills – North Sydney/ Swans

Callum is a hard running midfielder, a very competitive footballer who is a strong contested ball winner and can push forward to kick goals. Callum won the Division 2 Most Valuable Player and was a stand out for NSW/ACT throughout the NAB AFL Under-16 National Championships.

Dylan McDonald – Albury/Murray Bushrangers

Midfielder with a very high work rate. He is very damaging by foot but also has tremendous speed and a great ability to break the lines and take the game on. Plays footy in Albury and is a real excitement machine.　

Level Two

Comments by AFL NSW/ACT State Coach Jason Saddington

Isaac Heeney – Cardiff/Swans

Hard running midfielder with elite hands. Strong contested ball winner with great courage and physical presence. Impressed with strong performances for NSW/ACT at the recent NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships. Swans Academy member who was a AIS-AFL Level One squad member in 2013.

Liam Griffiths – Ainslie/GWS

Midfielder with extremely high work rate. A courageous type with the ability to provide great run and carry with the football. Natural leader who missed the NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships due to a shoulder injury. A Goulburn local playing with Ainslie, Liam was a member of the 2013 Level One AIS-AFL squad.

Nicholas Coughlan – Murray Bushrangers/GWS

Key position player with clean hands in air and on ground. Athletic player who from Albury representing the Murray Bushrangers, Nic has missed the majority of the season with a foot injury. Has impressed with his diligence and professionalism through his rehabilitation and was a member of the 2013 AIS-AFL Level One Academy.