Allies snap up quintet

FIVE players from Tasmania’s under-18 side have been selected in a 30-strong NAB AFL National Academy Allies squad for 2020.

Clarence duo Sam Banks and Oliver Davis, North Hobart pair Sam Collins and Patrick Walker and North Launceston key forward Jackson Callow will join emerging talent from the Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast and GWS academies, as well as two players Murray Bushrangers and three from the NT.

The Allies squad will meet next month and train from November 18 to 20, taking part in the high performance camp focusing on both on and off-field education. Devils co-captain Davis, Callow and Collins all tasted Allies action this year, while fellow draft-age player Walker and bottom-ager Banks are debutants to the program.

“The new approach to the national NAB AFL Academy, introduced for the first time in 2018, will again ensure more of our most talented players have access to AFL facilities, while receiving the best quality coaching, high performance and wellbeing services in the country,” AFL national talent pathways manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

“Importantly these players will spend more time in their home states, with year-round first-class support that will enhance their opportunity to perform at an elite level.”

Last week Davis was crowned he Devils’ best and fairest and midfielder of the year, while Callow took home the forward of the year award and was runner-up to Davis in the best and fairest.