Successful year for Joss Talent Program

AFL NSW/ACT is pleased to announce 11 NSW/ACT players have been primary listed by AFL clubs for the first time following Thursday’s NAB AFL Draft held at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.

The AFL recruits continue the recent success of the AFL NSW/ACT Joss Talent Program which has seen 50 players listed by AFL clubs in the past five years.

Of the 11 primary listed, four have been upgraded from rookie lists and will now have the opportunity to play an integral role in their club’s 2012 premiership campaign.

The GWS GIANTS have primary listed NSW/ACT zone selections Jacob Townsend, Kurt Aylett, Sam Schulz, Anthony Miles, Mark Whiley and Josh Bruce.

The Sydney Swans upgraded Nathan Gordon with selection 85, Hawthorn used their 77th pick to upgrade Luke Breust, Adelaide primary listed Aidan Riley with pick 89 and Will Sierakowski was primary listed when he joined the Kangaroos during AFL trade week.

Joining them on AFL lists is Sydneysider Jarrod Witts who was recruited by Collingwood with their 67th selection in the NAB AFL Draft.

Witts, who has only been playing AFL for three years, may prove to be one of the bargains of the Draft with the 208 centimetre, 108 kilogram ruckman tipped to play seniors early next season.

The talented sportsman – who played state rugby and cricket – was identified by Collingwood recruiter Derrick Hine while playing just his second AFL game and was immediately scholarship listed by the Pies.

Former North Albury footballer Sam Rowe has also joined his second AFL club – formerly a Sydney Swan – this time being recruited by Carlton with their 44th pick.

The number of NSW/ACT players on AFL lists will rise following December 13’s rookie Draft.

General Manager – AFL NSW/ACT Tom Harley said it’s a credit to the players and the staff at AFL NSW/ACT for the number of state and territory footballers now on club lists.

“This is a fantastic achievement for the players listed and a great reward for their hard work and commitment to developing their football over the years,” Harley said.

“It is a testament to all involved at AFL NSW/ACT and the Joss Talent Program that the number of local players on AFL lists continues to rise.

“There are a number of opportunities now available for NSW/ACT players to make it in the AFL with the establishment of the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS Academies.

“Over the coming years we’re likely to see more NSW/ACT players on lists with the amount of talented players coming through the system and the professional Academies being run by the clubs.”

Player Bios:

Jarrod Witts
AFL Club: Collingwood
Draft pick: 67
Height: 208 cm
Weight: 113 kg
DOB: 13/10/1992
Recruited from: NSW/ACT RAMS, St Ives FC
Info: Witts, 19, is a 208-centimetre key position prospect who has represented his state in both rugby union and cricket. Jarrod represented NSW as an overage player at the under 18 national championships winning the MVP for an outstanding performance. He had only played five games of AFL in total before Collingwood signed him on a NSW Scholarship. He’s athletic and physically will develop into a very strong potential ruckman/power-forward.

Luke Breust
AFL Club: Hawthorn
Draft pick: 77
Height: 184cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 11/11/1990
Recruited from: NSW/ACT RAMS
Info: Breust is a small forward who was originally rookie listed by the Hawks in 2009. After two seasons developing in the VFL, Breust was given an opportunity in the seniors this year and didn’t disappoint. He played 17 games and was subsequently upgraded to the club’s primary list.

Nathan Gordon
Draft pick: 85
AFL Club: Sydney Swans
Height: 187cm
Weight: 86kg
DOB: 12/02/1990
Recruited from: NSW/ACT RAMS
Info: Gordon Is a hard-working, diligent footballer who is an elite athlete and looks ideally suited to a midfield role. From local club East Coast Eagles, he is a former NSW scholarship holder and has pleased the Swans with his work ethic. He debuted for the Swans this year and played two games. He will be looking to add to his career tally next season.

Aidan Riley
Draft pick: 89
AFL Club: Adelaide Crows
Height: 183cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 13/12/1991
Recruited from: NSW/ACT RAMS
Info: The Illawarra local joined an illustrious group of players in winning a Star Search nomination for the SANFL equivalent of the NAB AFL Rising Star in his league debut for the Crows’ reserve side in 2010. This year the midfielder/half-back was given an opportunity at senior level and impressed in his five games for the club.

Will Sierakowski
AFL Club: Kangaroos
Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: 26/07/1990
Recruited from: NSW/ACT RAMS
Info: Will is a skilful left-footer who plays mainly across half-back and on the wing. Sierakowski was signed to the Hawks’ NSW scholarship program and rookie-listed in 2009. The Kangaroos recruited Will during AFL Trade Week this year and added him to the primary list.

Mark Whiley
AFL Club: GWS Giants
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
DOB: 1/12/1992
Club: NSW/ACT RAMS, Finley (NSW)
Info: Whiley was one of GWS’ first signings as a 17-year-old. Whiley, a rebounding defender from Finley developed through the AFL NSW/ACT Joss Talent Program. He spent 2011 on GWS’ list developing his football under Kevin Sheedy, Mark Williams and Allan McConnell.

Anthony Miles
AFL Club: GWS Giants
Height: 181cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 28/02/92
Club: NSW/ACT RAMS, Murray Bushrangers, Albury
Info: Miles, an inside midfielder from Howlong near Albury, is hailed as a natural leader, having captained both the Under-16 and Under-18 NSW/ACT RAMS at the NAB AFL Championships. Miles was runner up in the Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Best and Fairest in 2009 as a bottom-age player. He spent 2011 on GWS’ list developing his football under Kevin Sheedy, Mark Williams and Allan McConnell.

Kurt Aylett
AFL Club: GWS Giants
Height: 190cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: 02/04/92
Club: NSW/ACT RAMS, Leeton-Whitton
Info: Aylett, who grew up in Leeton, played with the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup after moving south to attend boarding school in 2009. An athletic midfielder with an excellent endurance base, Aylett was part of the AFL NSW/ACT Joss Talent Program from 13-years-old, playing for the state at both under-16 and under-18 level. He spent 2011 on GWS’ list developing his football under Kevin Sheedy, Mark Williams and Allan McConnell.

Sam Schulz
AFL Club: GWS Giants
Height: 183cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 19/09/92
Club: NSW/ACT RAMS, Culcairn
Info: In February 2010, the right-footer bettered Hawthorn premiership player Trent Croad’s vertical leap record (83cm) by 3cm during a camp in Melbourne. He is an exciting young player who developed well under Kevin Sheedy, Mark Williams and Allan McConnell with the GIANTS this year.

Josh Bruce
AFL Club: GWS Giants
Height: 197cm
Weight: 90kg
DOB: 08/06/92
Club: NSW/ACT RAMS, Eastlake
Info: Bruce is a key position prospect from Canberra’s Eastlake Football Club. Bruce’s great strength is his endurance running, which sets him apart from other players his size. He spent 2011 on GWS’ list developing his football under Kevin Sheedy, Mark Williams and Allan McConnell.

Jacob Townsend
AFL Club: GWS Giants
Height: 187cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 20/06/93
Club: NSW/ACT RAMS, Leeton-Whitton
Info: The 18-year-old was selected for the AIS-AFL Academy Program. He is a developing utility with great skills. He spent 2011 on GWS’ list developing his football under Kevin Sheedy, Mark Williams and Allan McConnell.