The curtain raiser to this weekend’s VFL Senior Second Preliminary Final on Sunday at TEAC Oval will be the second ever Young Guns Game.
The Young Guns Game was an initiative that was developed last year, and featured selected players from the TAC Cup, the VFL and nominations from the VCFL, the VAFA and AFL clubs. The concept behind the game was to create further opportunity for exposure and recognition to AFL clubs and AFL recruiters, of the elected players who were invited to showcase their talents and skills and subsequently improve their draft prospects.
The match will consist of two teams, with both made up of a combined list of VFL, TAC, VAFA and VCFL players. Two coaches have been selected to lead each side, with Brett Cook (Coburg Tigers) and Josh Humbler (Box Hill Hawks) to be the head coaches.
The Young Guns Game was a very rewarding and fulfilling experience for players selected last year as they were invited to display their aptitude, competence and dedication to football. With many AFL recruiters present, the outcomes could be quite favourable for stand out players on the day. Last year’s game featured 2010 draftees Dan Nicholson (Melbourne/Uni Blues), Tom McDonald (Melbourne/North Ballarat Rebels) and Paul Seedsmen (Collingwood/Eastern Ranges).
AFL Victoria High Performance Manager Leon Harris highlighted the concept and foundations behind the Young Guns match.
“The inaugural Young Guns game showed AFL Victoria’s commitment to highlighting the depth of talent within the whole State. This continued initiative captures those players who may not have had the opportunity or exposure to AFL staff assisting them to deliberate on their potential to play at the highest level,” Harris said.
“The Young Guns game was an opportunity for further exposure to AFL clubs and AFL recruiters.”
Final eligibility for the Young Guns Game is as follows:
- Should the players club be participating finals, they will not be selected in the Young Guns game. A players club must be eliminated from finals on the September 10th/11th weekend to eligible.
- Players have been selected from the TAC Cup, the VFL and nominated from the VCFL, the VAFA and AFL clubs.
The below lists have confirmed starters for the Young Guns Game. There are a number of others who are likely to be added to the squads later today once we receive confirmation.
Team lists, with jumper numbers will be available at the canteen/kiosk at Port Melbourne on Sunday.
BLACK TEAM
Jordan Iudica (Calder Cannons)
Cam Valentine (Bendigo Pioneers)
Marcus Darmody (North Ballarat Roosters)
John Delahunty (Minyip Murtoa)
Jordan Treloar (Werribee Tigers)
Mark Collins (De La Salle OC)
Tom Ruggles (Werribee Tigers)
Majok Aneet (Western Jets)
Michael Lourey (Sandringham Zebras)
Dean Warry (Crib Point FC)
Nick Maric (Northern Knights)
Mitchell Howes (Sandringham Dragons)
Sam Gilmore (Northern Knights)
Tom Downie (North Ballarat Rebels)
Cameron Sharp (Sandringham Dragons)
Ryan McKenzie (North Ballarat Roosters)
Josh Marchbank (Northern Bullants)
GREEN TEAM
Chris Moreland (Bell Post Hill)
Ben Slattery (Eastern Ranges)
Michael Boland (Sandringham Zebras)
Tom Humphrey (De La Salle OC)
Ben Kerton (Northern Knights)
Callum Morison (Eastern Ranges)
Brett Mahoney (Mansfield FC)
Jordan Taylor (Bendigo Pioneers)
Jarryd Coulson (Northern Knights)
Sam Dunell (Bendigo Bombers)
Jack Shannahan (Geelong VFL)
Lachlan Howe (Murray Bushrangers)
Chris Michaliades (Sandringham Zebras)
Ben Clifton (Coburg Tigers)
Willie Wheeler (Coburg Tigers)
Chris Prowse (Oakleigh Chargers)
James Kroussoratis (Northern Knights)
Jayden Young (Murray Bushrangers)
Last Modified on 16/09/2011 17:15