Mariners team up for clean sweep bid

WITH so much to gain from a win today a team-first approach will be the Tassie Mariners’ focus for their game against the GWS Giants Academy at the Twin Ovals.

The Mariners are one win away from a clean sweep of the AFL Under-18 Academy series and coach Lance Spaulding said his team would continue to be driven by team football.

The Tasmanians have already beaten the Gold Coast Suns, Northern Territory, Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans, and hope to be giant-killers today.

“Our focus is on doing the team things,” Spaulding said.

“That’s been our theme the whole way through. If we continue to stay team-orientated then the results will take care of themselves.

“It’s all a product of playing how we have wanted.”

Spaulding said his players worked hard and deserved their success, which has been watched closely by AFL recruiters. “To start with it boils down to them being a pretty talented group,” Spaulding said. “This team has been a strong group for a number of years.

“They performed well in under-16s and they have kept that going this year.”

The strong performance from Tassie has meant many of its players have caught the eye of AFL recruiters and could possibly be named for the Allies team to play in the upcoming under-18 championships.

However Spaulding said he has urged his team not to let the hard work come undone now. “You don’t want to give the selectors a reason not to pick you,” Spaulding said.

“The players have a lot of people talking to them so that can be a challenge. “The guys are a level-headed group so I’m sure they are coping with it.”