TWENTY ONE of the top tall draft prospects are participating in a three-day camp this week, aimed to assist with the development of ruck and key position players.
The camp is designed to fast-track the development of taller players, with those at the camp initially nominated by AFL clubs. The list does not include those players already undergoing extra development through the AFL Academy such as Max and Ben King, or Jack Lukosius. The players will experience a series of skill sessions and talks, held at the training bases of Essendon, Carlton and Collingwood football clubs.
Thirteen of the 21 players at the camp are on TAC Cup lists, while South Australia has three participants, and Western Australia and Tasmania have two each. Gold Coast Academy tall Matt Conroy and Brisbane Academy’s Kian Dennis are also attending the camp.
Murray Bushrangers and Dandenong Stingrays have the equal most representatives at the camp, with three players – Ben Kelly, Jacob Koschitzke and Mark Marriott for the Bushrangers, and Bailey Schmidt, and twins Matthew and Stephen Cumming for the Stingrays – taking part. AFL clubs will also take the opportunity to interview prospects, with some of the prospects potentially representing their state at the upcoming National Under 18 Championships.
TALLS CAMP PROSPECTS (club, height)
Tim Auckland (Launceston, 197.5cm)
Matt Conroy (Gold Coast Academy, 199.7cm)
Sam Conway (Geelong Falcons, 201.5cm)
Matthew Cumming (Dandenong Stingrays, 198.3cm)
Stephen Cumming (Dandenong Stingrays, 199.2cm)
Kian Dennis (Lions Academy, 195cm)
Joe Furphy (Northern Knights, 202cm)
Bailey Griffiths (Oakleigh Chargers, 200cm)
Joe Griffiths (Sandringham Dragons, 202.4cm)
Tom Hallebone (Northern Knights, 201.1cm)
Josh Hart (West Adelaide, 205cm)
Ryan Henkel (Gippsland Power, 200cm)
Tom Jones (Glenelg, 202cm)
Ben Kelly (Murray Bushrangers, 201.8cm)
Jacob Koschitzke (Murray Bushrangers, 195cm)
Mark Marriott (Murray Bushrangers, 201.5cm)
Angus Rana (North Adelaide, 198.5cm)
Bailey Schmidt (Dandenong Stingrays, 198.8cm)
Jake Steele (Glenorchy, 194.7cm)
Brynn Teakle (Subiaco, 202cm)
Tylar Watts (Greater Western Sydney Rebels, 197.9cm)
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