NSW/ACT recruits’ NAB Challenge chances
By Bronte Kerr.
The 2014 draft saw a record number of NSW/ ACT draftees, with a total of eight players drafted to primary lists of AFL clubs ahead of the 2015 season.
A further four NSW/ ACT players were picked up by clubs following the Rookie Draft.
NSW/ ACT will host a total of six games during the series, which will run between the 26th of February and the 22nd of March of this year.
Here is a closer look at some of the up and coming NSW/ ACT born and bred players to look out for during the 2015 NAB Challenge Series.
Isaac Heeney
Isaac Heeney had his fate sealed when the tough midfielder was committed to by the Sydney Swans Academy in November of last year.
From Newcastle originally, Heeney joined the Swans academy just shy of age 12. His talent burgeoned and he was quickly recognized as a star in the making.
The 186cm formidable midfielder received the Harrison Medal as the best player in Division Two of the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, and later grew to be a vital cog in the well-oiled Sydney Swans NEAFL side.
Averaging 18 disposals in his six games with the Swans’ reserve side, few doubt Heeney’s ability to rub shoulders with the game’s elite.
Key to his success? Heeney spoke to Sam Landsberger at the Herald Sun, attributing his proficiency to the ongoing support offered by the Academy.
“If I wasn’t in the academy I’d be training in Newcastle and obviously the coaching staff and the facilities there… well, I’d be nowhere near where I am now,” Heeney said.
For a town typically known for its soccer and rugby fanatics, Heeney is set to put Newcastle on the AFL map.
AFL prodigy Isaac Heeney to put Newcastle on the AFL map. Image: AFL Media.
Abaina Davis
Another product of the Sydney Swans Academy, Abaina Davis, is due to make his debut ahead of the 2015 season.
A man of many trades, Davis played basketball at an elite level and was a surf life saver before buckling down and joining the Academy in 2011.
Davis is highly regarded as a versatile key position player and has the capacity to play back or make an impact up forward.
Known for his creativity and agility, the 193cm forward proves unstoppable once he gets in front and is a consistent kick for goal.
Swans TV sat down with Davis shortly after the 2014 Draft to talk growing up, the Academy and his personal role model Adam Goodes.
“Growing up in Sydney and supporting Sydney my whole life, Adam Goodes has been a massive role model and icon for me. I’ve always followed his career and tried to model my football off him,” Davis said.
Davis during a kicking skills test at the 2014 Draft Combine. Image: AFL Media
Jack Hiscox
Eighteen-year-old Newtown local Jack Hiscox will join Heeney and Davis and don the red and white for the 2015 AFL season.
Playing rugby and competing in athletics until aged 16, Hiscox made the decision to concentrate on his football after being offered games with the Swans Reserves and NSW Rams.
In last year’s Combine, he smashed the 3km time trial record previously held by GWS GIANTS’ Josh Kelly by an astounding 15 seconds.
Hiscox’s decision to choose a career in AFL over athletics was a tough one, but after drafting a program with Swans Academy boss Chris Smith, he set his hopes high to one day to join the Swans.
Speaking to Neil Cordy at the Telegraph late last year, Hiscox described the program as largely focused on kicking.
“The idea is to let it flow rather than thinking about it too much because you play your best footy when you don’t have to think about it. My kicking was a lot better and more efficient.”
Looking to the future, Hiscox aims to secure some senior games of footy in 2015 season.
“I want to get used to the new environment and get to know the boys and become part of the group and not be an outsider. I want to get the trust of the players and show I’m prepared to work hard.”
Hiscox leading the pack at the 3km time trial during the 2014 Draft Combine. Image: AFL Media
Jack Steele
At 188 cm and 85kg, Jack Steele could be mistaken for an AFL veteran. In some ways he is, joining the GIANTS as a member of the PM Capital GIANTS Academy program at the tender age of 13.
Steele’s dream of donning the GIANTS Guernsey was put on hold in 2013 when the tall forward suffered a dislocated kneecap.
With quiet determination, Steele got back to the basics playing for his home club Belconnen, the NSW/ ACT state side and the UWS Giants.
AFL’s draft expert Callum Twomey sang high praise for a humble Steele, nominating him 17th in last year’s draft.
“The tall midfielder demonstrated his talents as a mobile and marking on-baller who likes to float forward and kick goals. He’s hard to tackle- he uses his bigger frame and hips to wiggle out of congestion and into space,” Twomey said.
Hailing from Canberra, Steele loved all thing sports-playing soccer, basketball and cricket as a kid, before playing AFL at the age of 9.
Steele is no stranger to playing aside the big guns, having played rising tennis star Nick Kyrgios in a friendly game or two of basketball as a young adult.
Speaking to GWS GIANT’S Alison Zell, Steele reflected on his journey to date.
“I just sort of played footy with my mates just to have fun. But now that it is my career it’s unreal to think that I can make a living off it and really get something out of it”.
A determined Steele poses at the GIANTS 2015 team photo day. Image: AFL Media.
Dougal Howard
WAGGA teenager Dougal Howard barely had time to pack his bags before being whisked away to Port Adelaide’s prep season camp in Dubai.
Speaking to Matt Malone from the Daily Advertiser, Howard is under no illusions about how much hard work lies ahead.
Port Adelaide boasts an impressive and talented list and only just fell short of making a grand final appearance in the 2014 Premiership season.
“Now I’ve got the opportunity, I want to show I’m up for the task and what I can do to get some game time,” Howard said.
“At the moment, I just want to get fit, stay fit, string together some good games and show what I can do.”
Playing senior footy with the Wagga Tigers in 2013, Howard is known for his impressive vertical leap and demonstrates a particularly elite leg speed for his build.
Another product of the GWS Giants Academy, Howard averaged seven touches, four marks and one goal over three games during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for NSW/ ACT.
Howard joins the legions of prodigious young athletes hailing from the Wagga Region. Perhaps there is something after all to this “Wagga Effect”.
Logan Austin
Football is in Logan Austin’s bloodline. His cousin, Sean Dempster, is an All Australian defender and a star at the Saints.
All-rounder Austin will join Dougal Howard at Port Adelaide after being picked up at number 69 by the South Australian side.
Born in Victoria, Austin crossed the Barassi Line at the age of six, when his family relocated to Canberra.
Austin spent the majority of his junior career up forward with Gungahlin and then the Belconnen Magpies.
Changing positions is no easy feat but Austin proved up to the challenge when he was sent to the back half in a NEAFL practice match against Ainslie.
Austin exceeded all expectations, silencing the usually dominant forward Nick Salter, rendering him goalless.
Since then, Austin has graced the backline with his exceptional vertical leap, consistent attack on the ball and an intrinsic football brain.
For Austin, the transition from forward to back was a smooth one, conceding that he didn’t change much about his game throughout the process.
Port Adelaide’s recruiting manager, Geoff Parker, had nothing but positive things to say about Austin when he spoke to Chris Wilson at the Canberra Times.
“I saw his size, the way he can read the ball and intercept a mark, plus his ability to kick coming out of the back 50 with precision and penetration. He’s a good kid, he shows a real desire.”
Teammates Austin and Howard joking around at the 2014 Draft Combine. Image: AFL Media.
To view these boys at home and in their element, head along to the following NAB Challenge games across NSW/ ACT.
Friday 6th March 7:10pm EDT – Swans v. Lions at Coffs International Stadium
Saturday 7th March 4:10pm EDT- GIANTS v. Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark
Friday 13th March 7:10pm EDT- GIANTS v. Essendon at Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Saturday 14th March 4:40pm EDT- Richmond v. Port Adelaide at Lavington Sports Ground, Albury, NSW
Sunday 15th March 4:10pm EDT- Sydney Swans v. Fremantle at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney
