Four named to All Australian side
NSW/ACT coach Jason Saddington was named the All-Australian coach after NSW/ACT won the Division Two title of the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian, the first time since 2009, and three standout players have earned representative honours – including Harrison Medal for Division 2 Best & Fairest winner Isaac Heeney (Central Coast/ Cardiff Hawks), NSW/ACT Most Valuable Player Jack Steele (Belconnen/ Belconnen Magpies) and bottom-aged Callum Mills (Mosman/ North Shore Bombers).
AFL NSW/ACT General Manager said the outstanding result was a credit to the coaching staff, which also included NSW/ACT Talent & Coaching Manager Darren Denneman, and former AFL players Tadhg Kennelly and Mark McVeigh.
“The Talent Department have worked tremendously hard to develop the players in our region, and the results and recognition this week really demonstrate their success,” Bolton said.
“Jason and the team should be congratulated for their win at the National Championships, and for the subsequent All Australian honours – it is an absolute credit to their commitment and dedication.
Victorian players dominated the team with 12 players selected. Division One winners South Australia have four players.
Selection for the Under-18 All Australian team follows the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships which concluded yesterday.
AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said this year’s championships were played to a high standard and many players put their names forward for selection.
“Many of the players selected today will be named by clubs at the NAB AFL Draft in November,” he said.
“Both Victorian teams played very well throughout the carnival and they have been rewarded with 12 players. It was also very pleasing to see three players from New South Wales included.”
“South Australia were outstanding winning Division One back-to-back. Theirs was a very even team performance and they were rewarded with four players selected.”
The NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian selection panel: Kevin Sheehan (AFL), Michael Ablett (AFL), Brad Johnson (AFL), Rohan O’Brien (West Coast Eagles), Dom Ambrogio (Gold Coast Suns), Jason Taylor (Melbourne) and Stephen Wells (Geelong Cats).
