The next crop of up and coming talent in the Peter Jackson VFL have been chosen to form part of the 2014 AFL Victoria VFL Academy.
Twenty two players have been selected in the initial 2014 intake, with the squad developed from nominations from AFL clubs and recommendations from VFL and TAC Cup regions.
Over the first two years of the VFL Academy, five members have been drafted – Jack Frost, Kyle Hartigan, Dean Towers (2012) & Ben Brown, Jacob Ballard (2013).
The squad met for the first time in late February, with the Academy and its requirements outlined to each of the players. The players will meet for their second session later this month, where they will attend an AFL game and be asked to analyse the performance of an AFL players’ game.
“The Academy gives these players the opportunity to be part of AFL Victoria's high performance program,” AFL Victoria VFL Academy coach/mentor Darren Flanigan said.
“They have all been selected due to their potential, and we will work with these players to further develop their game across the year along in addition to the support they receive at the own VFL club.”
Eleven VFL clubs are represented in the Academy for 2014, with the list including three 2013 TAC Cup Team of the Year members, a 2013 Morrish Medallist, two VFL finals’ players, three AIS/AFL Academy players and 19 players fresh from their final year in AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup competition.
“There is still potential to add to the squad, should players practice match form support them being a chance for the Academy this year.
“The aim is not have these players train together on a regular basis - we are aware of the demands on their time already with club training, studies, work and their personal life,” Flanigan said.
“Much of the contact with the Academy players is completed online, and we will aim to have completed our four contact sessions early in the season to ease the demands on them as the season progresses.”
2014 AFL Victoria VFL Academy
Jake Aarts
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Bendigo Gold
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Sam Heavyside
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Bendigo Gold
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Aidan Frenetic
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Box Hill
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Joseph Fisher
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Box Hill
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Mitch O'Donnell
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Box Hill
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Alex Hickey
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Essendon
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Angus Milham
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Essendon
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Ben Cavarra
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Frankston
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Brady Egan
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Frankston
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Fraser Fort
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Geelong
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James Tsitas
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North Ballarat
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Matthew Haynes
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Northern Blues
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Nick Prowse
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Port Melbourne
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Sam Anderson
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Port Melbourne
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Elliot le Grice
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Sandringham
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James Munro
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Sandringham
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Jake Sharp
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Werribee
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Brett Bewley
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Williamstown
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Isaiah Miller
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Williamstown
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Jack Johnstone
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Williamstown
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Jake Greiser
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Williamstown
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Michael Gibbons
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Williamstown
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Last Modified on 07/03/2014 15:24