Over many years now, a great relationship has been forged with these leagues, and the trip is an outstanding learning and football experience for the players who travel away.
Last week AFL Cairns sent down the best 23 Youth Players from Cairns to Victoria for 5 days from Wednesday, 8th to Sunday, 12th April to play against Riddell District Football League and Ballarat Football League youth representative sides. Over many years now, a great relationship has been forged with these leagues, and the trip is an outstanding learning and football experience for the players who travel away.
The final travelling party was:
Players: Ezra Charlie (AFLCY Eagles), Max Culpitt (Centrals TB), Bradwell Dick (Pyramid Power), Angus Dickson (Port Douglas), Jack Dickson (Port Douglas), Lewis Fauid (AFLCY Eagles), Danny Floyd (Pyramid Power), Tom Goodall (Port Douglas), Jacob Heron (Cairns Saints), Brandon Jackonia (AFLCY Eagles), Kanjia Kamara (Cairns Saints), Joey Kura (AFLCY Eagles), Ethan McCullough (Port Douglas), Rawiki Miskin Ripia (South Cairns), Heath Molloy (North Cairns), Angus O'Sughrue (Centrals TB), Laken Pearson (AFLCY Eagles), Johathan Peeters (South Cairns), Daniel Smith (Centrals TB), Lachlan Smith (Cairns City Lions), Elia Ware (Manunda Hawks), Shawn Watson (Cairns Saints), Dinny Wolff (Cairns Saints).
Coaching/Support Staff: Cameron Campbell (Coach), Luke Webb (Assistant Coach), Sean Hunter (Runner), Brad Campbell (Team Manager), Debbie Podolczak (Trainer)
From these players, the following were selected as the leader for the group: Angus O'Sughrue (Captain), Jack Dickson (Captain) Laken Pearson (Vice-Captain), Jacob Heron (Vice-Captain).
The Victorian Challenge Program was establish over six years ago to allow AFL Cairns’ best Youth Players the opportunity to test themselves against some of Victoria's best up and coming talent. While the focus of the trip is on-field development of players, the program also provides players with a holistic development opportunity to improve in all aspects of their football.
In conjunction with the two matches played, the trip also provided a unique opportunity to expose the group to the professional environment of AFL football, with the squad visiting Whitten Oval to watch the Western Bulldogs train as well as receive a guided tour through the Western Bulldogs Learning and Training Facility by former Geelong AFL Player & NFL Player and current Bulldogs Football Operations Manager, Ben Graham. Graham also gave a unique insight into professional football from a former players and current club administrator’s perspective during a Question and Answer session that had all the boys engaged and eager to continue to pursue footy in hope of an opportunity at the highest level.
Another educational session the players attended was conducted by Calder Cannons Talent Manager, Ian Kyte prior to our match against Riddell District. Kyte spoke about his involvement within the TAC Cup System and Calder Cannons Programs, as well as how to identify talent and important aspects players need to observe, on and off the field, if they are to take the next step up in their football careers.
For many players, this trip was their first time in Melbourne! We arranged for a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground where we were fortunate enough to have dual Hawthorn Premiership winning Coach of 1988 & 1991, Alan Joyce lead the boys around the stadium, providing valuable insights into the history of the iconic venue and our great code. The squad finished off the tour in the Game on Interactive Centre & National Sports Museum.
It wouldn’t have been a true AFL experience in Melbourne if we didn’t have a recovery session in the cold Melbourne waters, so it was off to St.Kilda beach the morning after the match against Riddell District. The sun was out, but at 9am it was just 12 degrees and the water was anything but pleasant for the Far North Queensland products!
To finish the trip, the team were a part of the 50,000 strong crowd who attended the Round 2 AFL Premiership Match between Richmond Tigers vs. Western Bulldogs on Saturday, 11th April at the MCG. Players were required to observe and monitor a player from either Richmond or Western Bulldogs they felt best resembled themselves as a player.
Whilst not by any means the purpose of the trip, but history was made as for the first time in this trips history Cairns secured 2 wins. The standard of football across both matches was high quality, skilful, physical, fast flowing and tenacious. Our boys worked strongly as a team, absorbed pressure, read the play well, tackled ferociously, played to their strengths and executed the game plan. Our midfielders attack and hardness around the ball was constant and their delivery into the forward line gave us plenty of momentum. Our defenders were accountable, always pressuring their opponent and had the ability to turn defence into attack and the forwards created opportunities, converted at important stages, and applied plenty of pressure inside 50. Overall, a fantastic display of football and team work against strong oppositions.
For match details, please see below:
Riddell District FL vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's
Played at Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn (Calder Cannons Home Ground)
Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Quarter by Quarter Scores:
1/4 TIME: Riddell District FL 0.2-2 vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 2.4-16
1/2 TIME: Riddell District FL 2.5-17 vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 5.4-34
3/4 TIME: Riddell District FL 3.5-23 vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 10.8-68
FULL-TIME: Riddell District FL 5.6-36 def. by Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 13.8-86
Game 1 Match Details:
FINAL SCORE: Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions 13.8-86 def. Riddell District FL 5.6-36
Goal Kickers: Bradwell Dick (4), Max Culpitt (2), Brandon Jackonia (1), Tom Goodall, Jacob Heron, Angus O'Sughrue, Joey Kura, Jonathan Peeters, Elia Ware
Best Players: Bradwell Dick, Angus O'Sughrue, Joey Kura, Brandon Jackonia, Jonathan Peeters, Jack Dickson.
Best on Ground as selected by Umpires: Bradwell Dick
Best on Ground as selected by Riddell District FL: Angus O'Sughrue
Ballarat FL vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's
Played at Ballarat, City Oval
Friday, 10th April 2015
Quarter by Quarter Scores:
1/4 TIME: Ballarat FL 3.0-18 vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 1.4-10
1/2 TIME: Ballarat FL 3.1-19 vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 4.6-30
3/4 TIME: Ballarat FL 3.4-22 vs. Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 5.7-37
FULL-TIME: Ballarat FL 3.4-22 def. by Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions U17's 7.11-53
Game 2 Match Details:
FINAL SCORE: Bendigo Bank Cairns Lions 7.11-53 def. Ballarat FL 3.4-22
Goal Kickers: Max Culpitt (1), Brandon Jackonia, Angus O'Sughrue, Kanjia Kamara, Bradwell Dick, Jack Dickson, Heath Molloy.
Best Players: Joey Kura, Daniel Smith, Elia Ware, Angus O'Sughrue, Max Culpitt, Jack Dickson, Angus Dickson.
Best on Ground as selected by Ballarat FL: Joey Kura & Daniel Smith.
Overall, the trip was a fantastic result individually for players as well as the region. The program without doubt is a valuable development experience that will hold players in good stead for the coming years. The Melbourne trip continues to support the bright talent of the Cairns region and gives players the best opportunity to test themselves against players outside of QLD.
Like with all Representative Programs, we strive for success and over the last week it proves that our approach, professionalism and commitment to such programs pays off. It was a brilliant result to achieve two wins from as many matches and for everyone involved they were thoroughly deserving of this achievement.
AFL Goldfields will travel to Cairns in June for a return match and we hope to be able to replicate our performances from down South and have a win on home turf. AFL Goldfield will potentially be made up of players from both Riddell District Football League and Ballarat Football League.
Thank you to AFL Cairns, AFL Cairns Juniors and Bendigo Bank for their support of this trip. Without their commitment, it wouldn’t have been possible. Congratulations to all that were involved. #2from2
Last Modified on 14/04/2015 14:18