Team GWS signs Victorian duo

Team GWS continues to build on its expanding list of talented players with confirmation today that Victorian duo Dylan Shiel and Tomas Bugg have committed to GWS for the next three years.

Shiel and Bugg join GWS under the list concessions set in place by the AFL Commission, permitting the Club to select up to a dozen players born between January and April 1993.

Both Shiel and Bugg were members of the 2010 AIS AFL Academy Squad, placing them in the top 30 footballers in the country, and will now join fellow AIS teammates Tim Golds and Sam Darley, who signed with GWS earlier this year.

Shiel, 179cm and 82kg, played the later part of the TAC Cup season with the Dandenong Stingrays as a hard running midfielder, once his school football commitments were finished.

Shiel said that he was blown away by the opportunity to live out his dream of playing AFL football.

“To be honest, it’s all been pretty crazy, I’m not even sure if it’s hit me yet. This is just such an amazing opportunity.

“Mum and Dad are pretty emotional about the whole thing, they’re just so happy. They’ve always been there for me since I started Auskick back when I just six years old, so they just can’t believe that it’s all really happening.

“Obviously leaving my mates and my girlfriend is going to be challenging but in the end I get to be with a whole new group of mates doing what I love.

“I remember sitting next to Kevin Sheedy on the way to South Africa earlier this year for the AIS trip and just listening to him talk about GWS he got me so excited. That was the point when I realised my heart was set on signing.”

Bugg, 184cm and 71kg, proved to be a very versatile player for Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup, fitting in well across half back, through the midfield and even pushing up to half forward.

The strong-marking on-baller, who just last year chose to pursue football ahead of a budding basketball career, said that he was thrilled with his decision to join GWS.

“I’ve virtually had a footy in my hand since I was just a one year old so I can’t believe it has finally happened. I suppose I’m relieved all of my hard work really did pay off. It’s a pretty incredible reward in the end.

“I’ve been really lucky with everything I’ve experienced by playing footy. Going to South Africa with the AIS was pretty inspiring and a huge learning experience. One of the best parts of the trip was getting to know the GWS staff so well. They were really involved from the outset so I was able to form some great relationships and interact with them.

“I’ve actually been working with John Quinn (newly appointed GWS Sports Science Manger) for the last six months now and the things he has said about the people around the club just makes me really happy that I get to be apart of this.

“I’m just really looking forward to the next few years. I’m only just finishing year 11 now and I really want to do well at school next year so I’ve decided to stay where I am and finish my 12 at Caulfield Grammar. I know that will have its own challenges but I think being away from everyone will just motivate me to work harder in a way.”

Shiel is also studying at Caulfield Grammar but is currently finishing his year 12 and will move to Sydney in November to start pre season training.

Team GWS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy travelled with Shiel and Bugg on the AIS tour back in February this year and was thrilled that both players had agreed to join GWS.

“They are both brilliant players Tom and Dylan. I think they’re a terrific mix to add to our current list.

“They have both represented Australia in their chosen sport and that in itself is a tremendous feat. I had the pleasure of getting to know the boys when we were in South Africa, they really are very impressive young men.

“What I noticed about the pair of them is their outstanding leadership qualities. They will both be incredibly important to the future success of this football club.

“Dylan and Tom are just another example of the exciting young footballers that are joining Team GWS. With just a month until we start our first pre season training, this is a very exciting time for all of us.”