Two RAMS players earn All-Australian honours
Following the success of the NSW/ACT RAMS at the 2010 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, North Albury’s Anthony Miles and Canberra’s Josh Bruce have capped off an unbelievable month by being selected in the 2010 NAB AFL All-Australian side.
Miles and Bruce both shined during the RAMS’ Championships campaign and their hard work over the years has been rewarded by being offered a contract with the AFL’s western Sydney based club – Team GWS.
Throughout the Championships, Miles showed he is a star in the making with his ball winning ability and knack in front of goal earning him a midfield position in the starting All-Australian 18.
Further up the ground, Bruce was instrumental in the RAMS’ success as he often made himself the go-to target in the forward-50, kicking 15 goals and taking 35 marks for the tournament.
It is a testament of AFL (NSW/ACT)’s Talented Player Program that NSW and ACT footballers continue to find their way onto AFL lists.
“Both Miles and Bruce presented themselves extremely well, as did others, but they’re very fortunate to be chosen as All-Australians and it’s a great honour for them and justifies the great form they had during the Nationals,” AFL (NSW/ACT) State Talent Manager Darren Denneman said.
“We’re really excited about the number of players being offered the opportunity [to be picked up by AFL clubs] and we just want to make sure that grows and we have more players on AFL lists. We think our program will take some time to bear more fruit but we’re really pleased with the number of players making their way onto lists.
“One thing we wanted to do is to get some continuity amongst our group, we still struggle with that with the geographic of NSW/ACT being so massive, but I do think these players are being exposed more often than they would have been in the past and because of that they are reaping the rewards.”
AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said All-Australian selection was among the highest of honours for a junior footballer.
“Already 10 players selected in the 2009 team have debuted at AFL level, with Richmond’s Dustin Martin and Melbourne pair Tom Scully and Jack Trengrove nominated for the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star award,” Sheehan said.
Miles, in his second year with TAC Cup team Murray Bushrangers, has natural leadership qualities which will be a major asset of his game as he commences his career with Team GWS.
Josh Bruce played a number of games with Team GWS’ TAC Cup side and becomes the first player to graduate from the inaugural side. Bruce is also the first Canberra player to be selected on the Greater Western Sydney based team.
