The Peter Jackson VFL Academy squad for 2015 has been announced.
This year will feature the biggest intake to the Academy since it began in 2012, with 29 VFL listed players selected from 170 AFL, VFL and TAC Cup club nominations.
In 2015 12 of the 15 clubs will feature at least one player in the Academy; Werribee with five players and Williamstown four leading the selections.
The squad is a diverse one, with Northern Blues’ American import Alex Aurrichio among five new players to competition that have been named, along with Tasmanian recruits Matt Hanson, Mitch VanDenBerg (Werribee) and Caleb Hislop (Williamstown) and 2014 VAFA Club Warehouse Rising Star Anthony Scott (Old Trinity to Richmond).
Three TAC Cup Team of the Year selections (Rowan Marshall, Alex Urban, Taylor Grace) and three TAC Cup club best and fairest winners (Luke Hannon, Sam Switkowski, Alex Urban) are part of the 16 TAC Cup graduates in the squad, while eight players that were part of the VFL in 2014 complete the intake.
“The Academy gives these players the opportunity to be part of AFL Victoria's high performance program,” AFL Victoria VFL Academy coach 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.”
The academy will meet for the first time in April with an emphasis on creating an individual development plan for each member.
“We’ll look at time management, injury prevention, diet and psychology, and create an individual development plan,” Flanigan said.
"This year we will involve the players in a kicking analysis program as well as a leadership program.
“We will also ask the guys to self-assess what deficiencies they need to work on to develop their game and put their names forward to AFL recruiters.”
| |
2015 club |
2014 club |
| Chris Jones |
Box Hill Hawks |
Eastern Ranges |
| Sam Switkowski |
Box Hill Hawks |
Northern Knights |
| Bryce Rutherford |
Casey Scorpions |
Casey Scorpions |
| Declan Keilty |
Casey Scorpions |
Gippsland Power |
| Luke Hannon |
Casey Scorpions |
Eastern Ranges |
| Cody Mance |
Coburg FC |
Coburg FC |
| Michael Hartley |
Coburg FC |
Coburg FC |
| Jacob (Jake) Williams |
Collingwood VFL |
Collingwood VFL |
| Isaac Muller |
Essendon VFL |
Murray Bushrangers |
| Sam Tagliabue |
Essendon VFL |
Essendon VFL |
| Rowan Marshall |
North Ballarat Roosters |
Nth Ballarat Rebels |
| Sam Hooper |
North Ballarat Roosters |
Nth Ballarat Rebels |
| Alex Aurrichio |
Northern Blues |
New York Magpies |
| Ryan Tester |
Northern Blues |
Northern Knights |
| Alex Urban |
Port Melbourne |
Oakleigh Chargers |
| Lachlan Waddell |
Port Melbourne |
Oakleigh Chargers |
| Anthony Scott |
Richmond |
Old Trinity |
| Nick Mellington |
Richmond |
Murray Bushrangers |
| Kenny Ong |
Sandringham |
Sandringham Zebras |
| Taylor Grace |
Sandringham |
Sandringham Dragons |
| Brody Mihocek |
Werribee FC |
Werribee FC |
| Daniel Davie |
Werribee FC |
Bendigo Pioneers |
| Joe Maishman |
Werribee FC |
Geelong Falcons |
| Matt Hanson |
Werribee FC |
Western Storm (TAS) |
| Mitch VanDenBerg |
Werribee FC |
North Launceston |
| Caleb Hislop |
Williamstown FC |
Burnie Dockers |
| Jacob Chisari |
Williamstown FC |
Bendigo Pioneers |
| Jake Maher |
Williamstown FC |
Bendigo Pioneers |
| Jake Owen |
Williamstown FC |
Williamstown FC |
Last Modified on 12/03/2015 15:02
