NSW/ACT stars to play for Allies

The match will be played at 10am on Saturday, September 27 at the MCG.

The NAB AFL All Stars match will feature some of the best young talent in the country, including players from the NAB AFL Academy – Level Two squad.  The Academy is a key component of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program that seeks to develop future generations of AFL stars.

The Australian Under-17 Team (selected from the NAB AFL Academy) will play the Allies.  The NAB AFL Academy Level Two squad consists of players eligible for the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, while the Allies is a team made up of the best players from NSW/ACT, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania who are eligible for this year’s Draft.

Australian Football Hall of Fame member Brad Johnson will coach the NAB AFL Academy and former Sydney Swans player and 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships All-Australian Coach Jason Saddington will coach the Allies.

AFL Academies Development Manager Michael Ablett said the match will kick off the new-look NAB AFL Academy.

“After 17 years of valued support from the AIS, we are starting a new era with the NAB AFL Academy. This match will be the first of three games the Level Two squad will play over a 12-month period – these players will be eligible for the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.
 
“The Allies will feature highly fancied players such as Isaac Heeney, Lachie Weller, Nakia Cockatoo and Liam Dawson who will have the opportunity to play on the biggest day of the football calendar before this year’s NAB AFL Draft.

“In another first, the Level Two squad will travel to Tampa Florida in the United States for a high performance camp in January,” he said.

National Australia Bank’s Group Executive Personal Banking, Gavin Slater said: “As a longstanding partner of the AFL, NAB is delighted to be associated with the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program.  Our support of this program, including the NAB AFL National Academy, allows us to play a genuine role in growing the game, which is fundamental to our commitment to Footify Australia”.

“We are excited about the ongoing growth of the NAB AFL Academy and look forward to watching the future stars of our game take to the big stage in September,” he continued.

The NAB AFL All Stars match will be played for the Kevin Sheehan Trophy and the player voted best on the day will be presented with the NAB All Star Best On Ground Award.
 
The match will be streamed live on afl.com.au.

The NAB AFL Academy is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
 
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
 
• NAB AFL Rising Star
• NAB AFL Draft
• NAB AFL Draft Combine
• NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
• NAB AFL Academy
• NAB AFL Under-16 Championships