TAC CUP ROUND 17 AUGUST 16-17, 2014 $3.00 JJetsets fl y uupp tthehe lladderadder Photos: Brian Bartlett QQueenslandueensland 112.10.822.10.82 d GGeelongeelong FFalconsalcons 112.9.812.9.81 AFL VICTORIA CORPORATE PARTNERS NAMING RIGHTS PREMIER PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS APPROVED LICENSEES EDITORIAL International Cup Over the past week we have seen the preliminary rounds of the 2014 AFL International Cup, an event being staged in and around Melbourne that has drawn together 25 teams from 18 countries playing 62 matches with more than 1000 people involved. Held every three years, the AFL International Cup As the week progressed games continues to develop and expand with new teams in both were played between the teams, comprising solely of the men’s and women’s sections. amateurs who are nationals in the country they represent, It was a marvelous experience to see all 18 competing at Royal Park, Parkville. country’s fl ags on display as players, coaches, staff An exciting addition to this year’s AFL International Cup and volunteers were welcomed by senior Wurundjeri is the Community Football Round this weekend where the elder Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin and Premier Dr Denis International Cup will go to community leagues around Napthine at the offi cial opening in Federation Square last Melbourne and some regional centres. weekend. All International Cup teams will be hosted by community Just as spectacular was the sight of all the teams football clubs with game played before senior community following their respective fl ag through Birrarung Marr to matches. the MCG where there was a parade of nations before the Certainly, the support of community leagues and clubs is Melbourne/Hawthorn match. much appreciated. As is their gesture to host the teams at It illustrated in more ways than one just how popular our the after match function as well as provide dinner. great game has become with so many different country’s now playing the game. It’s also a great advertisement for It is an initiative which enables all International Cup our code. teams to experience what a community football club has to offer, build networks and engage with the local There’s little doubt that Australian Rules appeals to a community. large, diverse consumer base not just around our country, but also overseas. Next Saturday both the Grand Finals of the women and men’s section will be played. The Women’s Grand Final The opportunity to link up with a unique blend of will be played at Punt Road while the Men’s will be traditional and no-traditional fans is something that can played as a curtain raiser to the Geelong/Hawthorn night only further foster the game. match at the MCG. What should not be lost in the conversation is that 47 per cent of Australians come from a multicultural background. If you get the chance, drop in and witness who in the world is embracing Australian Rules. It’s something we Opening up cultural doors is something Australian Rules should all feel excited and proud about it. has done with great success over the years and the continued drive to make the game more accessible to Grant Williams everyone is something that will be pursued with passion. AFL Victoria General Manager Editor: Anthony Stanguts anthony.stanguts@afl vic.com.au Contributors: Anthony Stanguts, David O’Neill, Kate Mitchell Design & Print: Cyan Press Visy Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton Nth, VIC 3054 Photos: AFL Photo’s (unless otherwise credited) GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, VIC 3001 Advertising: Ryan Webb (03) 8341 6062 Phone: (03) 8341 6000 | Fax: (03) 9380 1076 AFL Victoria General Manager: Grant Williams www.afl vic.com.au State League & Talent Manager: John Hook High Performance Managers: Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Cover photo: Jayden Laverde, Western Jets Talent Operations Coordinator: Rhy Gieschen Talent Operations Coordinator: Lauren Bunting www.taccup.com.au 1 MEDIA COVERAGE TAC CUP MEDIA COVERAGE Keep up to date with all the action from the TAC Cup via the following media coverage: TAC Cup Radio Tune in from 1:45pm for TAC Cup Radio. Join Phil Crooks, Rick Morris, Gabe Sorrentino and Paige Cardona as they bring you a weekly TAC Cup match throughout the season. Saturday August 16: Geelong Falcons v Oakleigh Chargers Listen live on the Red Time Sport iPhone App or www.taccup.com.au Next week: Northern Knights v Calder Cannons TAC Cup Future Stars TAC Cup Future Stars has returned to Channel 9 for season 2014. Join Craig Hutchinson and the team as they keep you up to date with results and information from AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup competition. Tune in this Sunday August 17, 1pm on Channel 9. TAC Cup Online Keep up to date with the TAC Cup via the following methods: Website: www.taccup.com.au @TACCup www.facebook.com/taccupfooty TAC CUP RADIO TIPSTERS LW TOTAL LW TOTAL LW TOTAL LW TOTAL Rick Morris 6 65 Paige Cardona 5 63 Gabe Sorrentino 5 61 Phil Crooks 5 58 Eastern Ranges Eastern Ranges Eastern Ranges Murray Bushrangers Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons Northern Knights Northern Knights Northern Knights Northern Knights Dandenong Stingrays Western Jets Dandenong Stingrays Western Jets Oakleigh Chargers Geelong Falcons Geelong Falcons Oakleigh Chargers Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons North Ballarat Rebels 2 www.afl vic.com.au AFL ACADEMY SQUADS 2014-15 AFL Academy squads announced Following on from a review of the talent pathways and changes to the NAB AFL U18 Championships, the NAB AFL Academy program has been revamped. The original AIS-AFL Academy program started in 1997, Level two players will then come together for a ten day camp offering thirty 12-month scholarships to young footballers in Melbourne during April that will include matches against to enhance not just their football, but their education and VFL teams. personal development as well. The timing of the level one squad’s trip to New Zealand has Planning for the program restructure commenced in 2013 also been changed from January to April to coincide with the after the Australian Institute of Sport fl agged the end of their AFL match in Wellington on ANZAC Day. association with the Academy to allow for a greater focus on The TAC Cup players selected in the level one and two AFL Olympic sports. Academy squads are as follows: The program will continue to have two squads, Level One - for players eligible for the following year’s draft (2016), LEVEL TWO selected from the NAB AFL U16 Championships - and Level Bendigo Pioneers: Aidyn Johnson, Thomas Cole Two – for players eligible for that year’s draft (2015). Calder Cannons: Nick O’Kearney Dandenong Stingrays: Gach Nyoun, Jacob The selected players for both 2014-15 squads will come Weitering, Kieran Collins together for the fi rst time in late September and then early Eastern Ranges: James Parsons, Liam Jeffs, Sam December for camps in Melbourne. Weideman As a part of the new schedule, the level two squad will play Geelong Falcons: Darcy Parish, Rhys Mathieson a showcase game during AFL Grand Final week against a Gippsland Power: Sam Skinner, Josh Dunkley ‘Rising Star’ team made up of players eligible for the draft Murray Bushrangers: Dylan McDonald, Josh from across Australia. Schache Whereas in the past the level two squad travelled to an North Ballarat Rebels: Darcy Tucker, Jacob Hopper, AIS training base in Europe around the start of the TAC Cup Yestin Eades season, the squad will now travel to the United States in Sandringham Dragons: Harley Balic January for a twelve day high performance camp. This allows the players to experience an international camp, LEVEL ONE but still be available to play for their TAC Cup clubs from the Eastern Ranges: Jarrod Galluci start of the season. Gippsland Power: Ben Ainsworth In a move that’s been embraced by the AFL clubs, level two Murray Bushrangers: Will Brodie players will also spend more time experiencing an elite level North Ballarat Rebels: Jarrod Berry, Jarrod Korewha environment with one week at an AFL club in late November Sandringham Dragons: Jack Scrimshaw and another week at a different club in early January. The 2013/14 Level Two AFL Academy Squad www.taccup.com.au 3 NAB AFL DRAFT State NAB AFL Draft Combine attendees announced Thirty eight TAC Cup players have been invited to the state NAB AFL Draft Combine in October this year. This takes the total number of TAC Cup players invited to the various combines to 86, following on from the 48 invitees to the national NAB AFL Draft Combine, which was announced last week. The state Draft Combine testing will take place on Saturday October 4 in Melbourne, measuring a combination of athleticism and football skills as well as assessing each player’s personality and character – all essential elements clubs need to consider in the drafting process. Each AFL club provided a list of 25 players who they wanted to attend the state-based combine, with players that had two or more nominations receiving an invitation. Along with the TAC Cup players, nine VFL players have Murray Bushrangers also been invited to attend the state combine including Nick Mellington former TAC Cup players Adam Marcon (Northern Knights/ David Mennen Williamstown), Jack Johnstone (Gippsland Power/ North Ballarat Rebels Williamstown) and Jake Owen (Calder Cannons/ Sam Bennett Williamstown) Oscar McDonald The TAC Cup players invited to attend the state combine are Jesse Palmer as follows: Tom Templeton Bendigo Pioneers Northern Knights Daniel Davie Bailey Jordan Billy Evans Garrett McDonagh Jayden Short Calder Cannons Sam Switkowski Ben Allan Ryan Tester Jayden Foster Mark Kovacevic Oakleigh Chargers Rielly O’Brien Hugh Beasley Matt Jackson Dandenong Stingrays Toby McLean Bailey Dale Fraser Pearce Aaron Wilson Jack Sinclair Eastern Ranges Lachlan Waddell Rory Sheridan-Ferrie Sandringham Dragons Will Fordham Geelong Falcons Taylor Grace Nick Dixon Michael Manteit Campbell Floyd Sean McLaren Dylan Hodge Tom Wilkinson Harrison Kol Joe Maishman Western Jets Teia Miles Billy Myers 4 www.afl vic.com.au YOUNG GUNS MATCH Young Guns on display Providing opportunities to showcase the ability of aspiring Victorian players via the talented player pathway is a key responsibility of AFL Victoria.