Downlands college student and Toowoomba product Josh Smith has been named in the 27-man Under 18 Queensland Scorpion squad for the 2011 campaign at the Under 18 NAB AFL Development Championships.
Josh was apart of the group, chosen from a squad of 100+ players that underwent a five-month high performance pre-season training program combining strength, fitness, core stability, speed and skills training, will tackle three games against TAC Cup opposition and five championship games.
Backing up from last year will be Josh Kolka, Aaron Laskey, Sam Michael, Adam Oxley, Jackson Rolfe, Dalton Tucker and Peter Yagmoor.
In extending the squad beyond the original 25 the selectors took in account the fact that Sam Michael, Brian Coleman-Broom and Alex Sexton will leave shortly for an AIS/AFL Academy of Europe that will see them miss the early part of the Scorpions campaign.
According to State Talent Manager Bob Batty, selectors had a very difficult task in picking the final team after two close and competitive trial games over the past two weeks which finished with margins of less than a goal.
Batty advised that for players who missed selection are encouraged to go back to senior clubs and keep working on all aspects of their game and produce results that will keep you under notice for future selection.
“The door is always ajar regarding opportunities to play at the next level,” he said.
Selectors will arrange an exit interview meeting over the next two weeks with all players who have missed selection.
Batty said selectors wanted to especially thank Ray Windsor (Brisbane Scorpions) and Jarrod Field (Gold Coast Scorpions) and their respective staff for their tireless pre-season efforts.
The following players, listed with their age as at 1 April 2011 and the current clubs, are required to attend the first training session on Wednesday (6 April) at Zillmere – 5pm for a 5.30pm start.
Jackson ALLEN - 18 - Morningside via Western Magpies
Sam CABRERA - 18 - Rookie Search – Aspley
Clay CAMERON - 16 - Mt Gravatt
Luke CHITTY - 17 - Morningside via Cairns
Brian COLEMAN-BROOME - 16 - Morningside
Shaun CROOK - 16 - Aspley
Tom DAVIDSON - 17 - Broadbeach
Spencer GREVILLE - 17 - Aspley
Mitch HOPKINS - 17 - Southport
Daniel HUNT - 18 - BITS Gladstone
Henry JOYCE - 17 - Morningside via Townsville
Josh KOLKA - 18 - Broadbeach
Aaron LASKEY - 17 - Aspley via Noosa
Sam MICHAEL - 17 - Redland via Cairns
Chris MURPHY - 18 - Mt Gravatt
Adam OXLEY - 18 - Redland
Sam PANOHO - 18 - Aspley via Caloundra
Luke REYNOLDS - 18 - Sandgate
Jackson ROLFE - 18 - Broadbeach
Lachlan RUSS - 18 - Morningside
Alex SEXTON - 17 - Redland via Springwood
Josh SMITH - 17 - Morningside via Darling Downs
Fraser THOMPSON - 17 - Aspley
Fraser THURLOW - 18 - Southport
Dalton TUCKER - 18 - Southport
Josh WAGNER - 16 - Aspley
Peter YAGMOOR - 17 - Morningside
Best a luck to Josh at the 2011 Under 18 National championships
Last Modified on 15/05/2011 20:56
