The Gold Coast Suns Academy has named its final squad to play two games against the Brisbane Lions Academy on March 16 and 24.
The final team was selected following a match between the Academies Metro and North Queensland teams that acted as a curtain-closer to the Gold Coast SUNS vs North Melbourne NAB Cup match in Townsville on Saturday.
Academy Head Coach and Manager Jason Torney said choosing the final squad had been a difficult task.
“The players have been gearing themselves up for season 2013 with four months of solid pre-season training,” said Torney.
“Many have shown improvement in numerous areas which has made choosing the final 26 players very hard for selectors.”
With Townsville serving as a selection trial, competition for the final spots was fierce.
“The depth of the North Queensland and Gold Coast teams has increased which is a real reflection on the coaches efforts over the last few years,” said Torney
The first match between the two academies will take place at Leyshon Park, Yeronga at 1pm on Saturday March 16.
The Queensland Scorpions squad to compete in the 2013 NAB AFL National Under 18s Championships will be selected following the second match which is scheduled for 1pm on Saturday March 24 at Cooke Murphy Oval, Labrador.
About the Gold Coast SUNS Academy
The Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy is an innovative program that provides young athletes with a unique opportunity to participate in a first class sport and education experience facilitated by AFL Queensland and the Gold Coast SUNS.
The Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy is a multi-level coaching program for aspiring players aged between 12 and 18 years.
It forms a key stage in the pathway from junior sport through to a possible career as an AFL player at the highest level – without leaving Queensland.
The Academy caters for young athletes in the Northern NSW and Gold Coast region as well as Far North Queensland (Rockhampton to Cape York).
Gold Coast SUNS Academy final squad:
Ryan Agita (Hermit Park) Townsville/Broadbeach
Robert Blood Southport
Nick Burton Broadbeach
Todd Carbone (Eastern Swans, Mackay)/Mt Gravatt
Brandon Cole South Cairns/Labrador
Tyler Cornish Southport
Hamish Davidson Rockhampton Panthers/Southport
Cameron Duffy (Manunda Hawks) Cairns/Redlands
Jarred Ellis Broadbeach
James Farley-Smith (Manunda Hawks) Cairns/Redlands
Jack Goodall (Port Douglas) Cairns/Redlands
Cassidy Haberfield Surfers Paradise
Caleb Hay Nth Rivers
James Holland Southport
Kieran Lejuene Southport
Stephen Mills Rockhampton Panthers /Southport
Dylan Mutu Surfers Paradise
Bill O’Donnell Broadbeach
Braydon Preuss (Hermit Park) Townsville/Mt Gravatt
Tom Stevenson Broadbeach
Jack Taylor Surfers Paradise
Darcy Trask Southport
Joe Ward Nth Rivers/Broadbeach
Angus Watts Labrador
Lachlan Weller Broadbeach
Shaun Wilson Broadbeach
Isacc Rokeby Cape York/North Cairns
