ACADEMY FIVE TO SPEED UP AFL PROGRESSION
THE Suns have already had a glimpse into potential 2019 draftees with five of the club’s academy members named in the AFL National Academy Allies squad.
Connor Budarick, Ashton Crossley, Hewago Paul-Oea, Alex Davies and Jack Johnston are in a group of 30 players from Queensland, NSW/ACT, Tasmania and Northern Territory to be named in the Allies team.
It will be the second year Budarick and Paul-Oea have represented the team after featuring as bottom-age players this year.
Gold Coast academy manager Jason Torney said the exposure to elite footy was critical to the progress of the group as they plot their path to the AFL.
“These boys have shown over the past few years that they can play at an elite level, but this academy will give them the opportunity to develop further as they strive to become AFL footballers,” Torney said.
“They’ll get to play against some of the best 18-year-olds in the country which will be a great challenge, but something they need exposure to if they want to take the next step.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for these boys to be selected and we hope to see even more academy boys earn selection in the second wave of entries next year.”
The five Suns players will have the chance to train with Gold Coast for a week during the pre-season and will also travel to Canberra for a training camp with the academy in January.