NSW/ACT boys shine on AIS-AFL tour
By Jack McAnespie
The AIS-AFL Academy has kicked off its European tour with an intra-club match at the Harrow School in Middlesex on Tuesday (London time).
The level-two squad is made up of players who are heading into their draft year, in the hope of fulfilling their football dreams.
The squad was broken into two teams, sprinkled with a touch of international talent, and lead by assistant coaches Tadhg Kennelly and Glen Jakovich.
New South Wales/ACT boys Liam Griffith, Nicholas Coughlan and Isaac Heeney featured prominently, with Heeney named best on ground for the Jakovich coached side.
The tour is a chance for recruiters to watch Academy players competing against each other, and the three NSW/ACT didn’t fail to impress, with Heeney’s drive out of the midfield particularly impressive on the day.
AIS-AFL Academy High Performance Coach Brad Johnson noted that the squad, and coaches were looking forward to the challenge and experience of playing, training and competing in fresh surroundings.
“It is a great challenge for the players to prepare and recover from matches in a new environment whilst also representing their country and the game,” said Johnson.
The boys will be in the fold again when the squad faces the European Legion at the Harrow School again on April 12, before heading to the AIS European training centre in Varese, Italy for the remainder of the trip.
(Left to right) Liam Griffith, Nicholas Coughlan and Isaac Heeney with their international guernseys.
