Under 18 Allies Team training at the Lexus Centre

Vinnie Vegas

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In focus: Allies Under 18s
5:47:53 PM Wed 21 September, 2005
Clinton Bown
exclusive to collingwoodfc.com.au
Players representing the Under 18s Allies team (NSW/ACT, NT, Queensland and Tasmania) trained at the Lexus Centre on Wednesday ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with a Victorian Under 18 team.

The training session was a good opportunity for Magpie officials to take a closer look at the promising youngsters, who will be playing to impress when they take to the field tomorrow.

The Allies will takes on a select Victorian Under 18 team this Thursday 22 September at Optus Oval, their final hit-out before the NAB AFL Draft Camp which will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from 27-30 September.

It was this same fixture in 2004 that saw Collingwood midfielder Ben Davies rookie listed by the Magpies for 2005, eventually being elevated to the list, featuring in seven games of his debut season.

In total, 18 players from last year’s Allies versus Victoria match were either drafted or rookie listed by AFL clubs, which underlines how closely the game will be watched by AFL talent scouts.


Allies captain Sam Lonergan is only too aware of how important this final hit-out is, and the Tasmanian is keen to make take the step up from the VFL, having featured for the Devils throughout 2005.

“In the VFL I played for the Tassie Devils up on the half forward flank and gave some of the more experienced boys a spell.

“It’s a great opportunity to play against players from division one, and that sort of level, to compare our ability to theirs and show that just because we’re division two that we’re not a step below - but at least on par and if not better. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

“Tomorrow is really our last hit-out and there will be plenty of recruiters watching. It’s a good opportunity for them (the recruiters) to see where we are at compared to the division one players.

“I’m 18 now and this is my last year in underage so next year I’ll hopefully be with an AFL club or playing a bigger role with the Tassie Devils.

“You’ve just got to wait and see if it’s your kind of player that an AFL club is looking for.

Lonergan is no stranger to the Lexus Centre, having been invited to train with the Collingwood Squad following a successful National Championship earlier in the year. It was an opportunity which had shown the youngster a glimpse of what an AFL Club was like, and has fueled his ambitions since.

I came after the Nationals to train for a week with the Collingwood Squad.

“Other than winning the Nationals it was one of the best experiences footballwise - to come over here and do all the training with the senior group. I will certainly be putting my best foot forward tomorrow.”

Match details:
Allies v Victoria
Thursday 22 September at Optus Oval
1pm
Entry is free


Allies squad – coached by Hamish Ogilvie (Tasmania)

Wayde Mills (Q), Austin Lucy (Q), James Armstrong (T) James Bennett (NSW/ACT), Sam Gilbert (Q), Rhan Hooper (Q) Grant Birchall (T), Sam Lonergan (T), Daniel Dzufer (Q) Courtney Dempsey (Q), Todd Grima (T), Dylan Addison (NSW/ACT), Adam Mueller (Q), Josh Walker (Q), Matthew Wade (T), Nate Roffey (Q), Sam Iles (T), Kieren Jack (NSW/ACT) Jesse White (Q), Haydyn Kiel (Q), Lee Spurr (Q), Darren Crawford (T)

Of that group, the following are prospective draftees according to Footydraft.com (and an estimation of where they might be drafted):

Grant Birchall - 192cm, 80kg Wing/HB/HF - Early-Mid 1st Round

Austin Lucy - 193cm, 91kg FB - Late 1st-Early 2nd Round

Sam Lonergan - 181cm, 80kg Inside Mid - Late 1st-Early 2nd Round

Todd Grima - 193cm, 88kg FF/CHF - Late 1st-Early 2nd Round

Daniel Dzufer - 189cm, 80kg HFFr/Outside Mid - Late 2nd-Early 3rd Round

Wayde Mills - 196cm, 88kg CHB - Late 3rd-Early 4th Round

Sam Iles - 181cm, 80kg Outside Mid - Late 3rd-Early 4th Round

Jessie White - 196cm, 96kg Ruck - Late 4th, Early 5th Round/Rookie Listing
 

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