They might not be eligible for the AFL draft until 2016, but the Level 1 AFL Academy members put their skills on display for recruiters last weekend, playing a match against the New Zealand Hawks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
Jordan Galluci (Eastern Ranges), Jack Scrimshaw, Will Setterfield (Sandringham Dragons), Ben Ainsworth (Gippsland Power), Jarrod Korewha (North Ballarat Rebels), Jarrod Berry (North Ballarat Rebels) and Zach Sproule, Will Brodie (Murray Bushrangers) were part of the 25 man squad that travelled to New Zealand for five days as a part of the Academy program.
The trip also had a significant cultural and educational component. The group attended an Anzac Day dawn service and spent time learning about New Zealand culture with a visit to the Museum of New Zealand.
The side played in a curtain raiser to the St Kilda versus Carlton AFL game, with the Academy continuing its winning streak in NZ, notching up win number four by 86 points.
Murray Bushranger Will Brodie impressed with three goals, while Gippsland Power’s Ben Ainsworth kicked four.
"Whether Brodie played forward or midfield he was just all class. His ball-winning ability, his step through the traffic and goal sense made it a pretty complete performance," AFL's National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan told the AFL website.
"Ben Ainsworth also performed well. He's just an absolutely brilliant kick for a goal – whether it be as a set-shot or snap kick. He's strong overhead for a boy his size and he was dynamic as a small forward."
AFL ACADEMY 4.2 8.5 11.7 16.11 (107)
NEW ZEALAND 0.0 0.2 3.3 3.3 (21)
GOALS
AFL Academy: Ainsworth 4, Brodie 3, Scharenberg 2, Galluci, Petrevski-Seton, Mutch, Bowes, Berry, Sproule, Macreadie
New Zealand: McKenzie, Morton, Mundell
BESTS
AFL Academy: Brodie, Ainsworth, Galluci, Scharenberg, Petrevski-Seton, Slimming, Setterfield, Macreadie
New Zealand: McKenzie, Howison, N.Gregson, W.Gregson, Smith
Last Modified on 07/05/2015 22:54
