Saddington to coach Allies
Jack McAnespie
Just when fans thought that Grand Final day couldn’t get any more exciting, the AFL has announced that there will be a curtain raiser game prior to this year’s Premiership decider.
This year, Grand Final spectators will be treated to a plethora of young talent, with the NAB AFL Academy team set to face an AFL Allies side, made up of this year’s brightest draft prospects, prior to this season’s Grand Final.
The NAB AFL Academy side will feature the best young talent eligible for the 2015 AFL Draft, while the Allies side will be made up of the brightest stars from NSW/ACT, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania, who are eligible for the upcoming 2014 National Draft.
The fixture is set for 10am on Grand Final morning, and will be the last opportunity for this year’s draft prospects to display their wears to AFL talent scouts, ahead of the National Draft at the conclusion of the season.
Many of the players picked for the Allies side, may still be under consideration as possible zone academy picks for the four northern-state clubs, and will be looking to impress prior to the October 6 bidding deadline for the academies.
Predicted first round draft picks in this year’s draft, including NSW/ACT’s Isaac Heeney and Queensland’s Lachie Weller, are expected to play for the Allies.
Saddington, while confident, seemed cautious when asked whether he thought his side would come out on top on the day.
A former Swan and Blue, Saddington was enthusiastic about the stage that has been set for the All-star game.
“On the MCG, on Grand Final day, it’s definitely exciting for the boys,” said Saddington.
“The list of player names is yet to be released, but you can imagine that it would be a handy squad.”
“They’ll be a year older, an extra year’s experience. They should come out on top… It will be a great game,” Saddington concluded.
The two sides will be competing for the inaugural Kevin Sheehan Trophy, named after the AFL’s long-standing national and international talent manager.
This year’s re-introduction of the Grand Final curtain raiser sees the end of a prosperous and valuable 17-year partnership between the AFL and the Australian Institute of Sport.
The NAB AFL Academy has been restructured for Season 2015 and beyond, and will see its Academy members travel to Florida in January, to partake in a high performance training camp.
The 2015 NAB AFL Draft has been earmarked as one to look forward to, with an enormous pool of talent set to burst into the scene, including highly regarded NSW/ACT youngster, Callum Mills.
