Brendan Norton (Coffs Harbour), Nick Bailey (North Coffs) and Patrick Gillingham (Sawtell) return to the side after representing as bottom aged players in 2011. They are joined by Nathan Harris (North Coffs), Jake Saunders (Sawtell) and Angus Burkitt (Sawtell).
Five players from the Mid North Coast have been selected in the squad including Brad Smith, Brayden Eastwell, Kyle Lynch and Jack Tate who all played in Port Macquarie’s Under-18 Grand Final side in the AFL North Coast competition this year.
The left of field selection is Camden Haven’s Jed Seymour, a talented rugby league player who was keen to challenge himself and trial for the AFL talent pathway. Jed’s impressive speed and game sense during training sessions and games earned him a place in the squad.
For players who are selected in the RAMS squad following the Joss State Zone Trials, they’ll get to play in the Under-18 NAB National Championships next year. The NAB Nationals has typically been used by club talent scouts as the carnival where they identify players for selection in the end of season drafts.
NSW/ACT players on AFL lists have gradually risen in previous years, and State Talent and Coaching Manager Darren Denneman said he hopes the numbers will continue to grow in the future.
"We saw 19 NSW/ACT listed by AFL Clubs this year and we truly believe there is the potential for more local players to make it in the AFL," Denneman said.
"The Joss State Zone Trials presents itself as one opportunity for players to improve their games by taking full advantage of the resources available to them.
"For three days, players get access to coaches 24/7 so there are visual and verbal mechanisms available to them, as well as the recovery processes in place to ensure players play at their best each match.
"We aim to make the camp as though the players are part of an AFL club and hopefully they’ll come out of the carnival with a heightened level of enthusiasm to take their game to the next level."
The Under-18 Joss State Zone Trial will be held at the Coffs Harbour BCU International Stadium from January 16 to 18. All draws and results can be found at www.aflnswact.com.au
For more information or for player interviews can media please contact AFL NSW/ACT’s Jordan Laing on 0422 074 191.
The entire list for the Northern Coast Under 18 team can be viewed on the PDF file below
Last Modified on 15/12/2011 15:56