The 2013 VFL Academy is all but finalised after the preliminary 34-man squad was trimmed to 18 this week.
A few spots remain available to accommodate those players who have shown promise but are currently battling injury or fitness concerns.
New coach Darren Flanigan said the group was a great mix of recent TAC Cup graduates, players starting to make their name at VFL level and others who have no experience with the main-stream talent pathways.
“A lot of the guys came through the TAC Cup last year and were probably unlucky not to be picked up, but we’ve also got guys like Werribee defender Jake Wilson from Portland who didn’t play any TAC Cup,” he said.
More than 80 players were considered for selection with an extensive consultation process that involved AFL recruiters, TAC Cup Talent Managers, and coaches and managers from each of the 14 VFL sides.
Flanigan, a veteran of 138 AFL games with Geelong and St Kilda, will oversee the second in-take of the development program which was launched with great success last year.
Three members of AFL Victoria’s 2012 VFL Academy, Kyle Hartigan, Dean Towers and Jack Frost, forced their way onto an AFL list after impressing in the Peter Jackson VFL.
While Hartigan (Werribee) and Frost (Williamstown) were offered Rookie contracts at Adelaide and Collingwood respectively, Towers (North Ballarat) capped a stunning year by becoming Sydney’s first selection in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.
“After the success of last year, the guys chosen know that the program offers a real opportunity to take their careers to a new level,” Flanigan said.
“It was also a very skinny rookie draft last year which means we’ve got a lot of talented guys running around in the VFL.”
The academy will meet for the first time on April 23 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.
“We’ll ask the guys to reflect on the reasons they think were overlooked by AFL Clubs and work out what deficiencies we need to work on.”
The AFL Victoria VFL Academy program provides nominated players additional development experiences to the high quality programs already offered at Peter Jackson VFL Clubs.
Over the course of the year, players will have the opportunity to receive individually-tailored coaching and training, and will be presented with opportunities such as attending an AFL game with specialist coaches.
The VFL Academy also exposes the players involved to the current AFL Victoria practices, philosophy and resources.
Tune in to 1116 SEN tonight at 8.30pm to listen to Flanigan discuss the academy on the VFL Football show. Tune in to 1116 on your am dial or online at www.sen.com.au.
2013 VFL Academy
Nick RIPPON North Ballarat
Sam COLLINS Box Hill Hawks
Ryan EXON Box Hill Hawks
Brandon WOOD Box Hill Hawks
Luke TYNAN Casey Scorpions
Jason PONGRACIC Frankston
Damien GARNER Frankston
Leigh KITCHIN Frankston
Jordan WILLIAMS Frankston
Thomas GRIBBLE Geelong
Jacob BALLARD Northern Blues
Sam GILMORE Port Melbourne
Nick PAPALEO Port Melbourne
Chris PROWSE Port Melbourne
Mitch WOOFFINDIN Port Melbourne
Darcy FORT Werribee Tigers
Jake WILSON Werribee Tigers
Simon DEERY Williamstown
Last Modified on 11/04/2013 17:08