The VFL Academy squad for 2016 has been announced, with all 22 players invited to take part in the development program graduating from TAC Cup clubs in 2015.
The Academy will provide players the opportunity to be part of AFL Victoria's high performance program.
11 of the Peter Jackson VFL’s 15 clubs are represented in the Academy, with the Box Hill Hawks’ total of four invitees leading the way.
The squad includes three members of the Oakleigh Chargers’ 2015 TAC Cup premiership team (Kade Answerth, Fraser Pearce and Jack Firns) and four 2015 TAC Cup club best and fairest winners (Answerth, Christian Buykx-Smith, Daniel Capiron and Lachie Tardrew).
Players required at least four nominations from AFL, VFL and TAC Cup clubs to be invited to join the squad.
Former Academy member and current Richmond AFL player Kane Lambert will also join the program in 2016 as a mentor to the players.
Please see the 2016 VFL Academy squad below (previous club in brackets).
Anthony Brolic Box Hill Hawks (Eastern Ranges)
Max Canfield Box Hill Hawks (Murray Bushrangers)
Jack Firns Box Hill Hawks (Oakleigh Chargers)
Lachlan Williams Box Hill Hawks (Dandenong Stingrays)
James Freeman Casey Scorpions (Dandenong Stingrays)
Jake Lovett Casey Scorpions (Dandenong Stingrays)
Marty Hore Collingwood VFL (Bendigo Pioneers)
Lachie Tardrew Collingwood VFL (Bendigo Pioneers)
James El Moussalli Essendon VFL (Northern Knights)
Nash Holmes Essendon VFL (Gippsland Power)
Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith Footscray (Sandringham Dragons)
Daniel Capiron Frankston (Dandenong Stingrays)
Ben Long Melbourne Grammar (Northern Knights)
Matthew Johnston North Ballarat (North Ballarat Rebels)
Tom Templeton North Ballarat (North Ballarat Rebels)
Jayden Collins Northern Blues (Eastern Ranges)
Hisham Kerbatieh Northern Blues (Calder Cannons)
Fraser Pearce Port Melbourne (Oakleigh Chargers)
Jarrad Smith Port Melbourne (Eastern Ranges)
Kade Answerth Sandringham (Oakleigh Chargers)
Jayden Burke Williamstown (Bendigo Pioneers)
Christian Buykx-Smith Williamstown (Gippsland Power)
OTHER ARTICLES:
VFL Season Preview
The 2016 Peter Jackson VFL season finally kicks off this weekend - we preview every club
Buykx-Smith goes on the attack
The equation is simple for Christian Buykx-Smith this year: Add a string to his bow or likely miss out on selection in Williamstown’s senior team.
Last Modified on 08/04/2016 11:07
