The GIANTS’ new Albury VFL Hub is already showing its promise and potential says GIANTS Head of Talent Adrian Caruso.
In January the GIANTS established a new hub for VFL top-up players in Albury, with the club aiming to provide a pathway for talented players in the region to train, develop, and potentially play for the GIANTS' VFL team.
Six players from the region were signed by the GIANTS following the introduction of the Albury Hub, with Noah Bradshaw, Nick Irvine, Ben Coghill, Jaiden Butson, Liam McCarthy, and Jace McQuade joining the club’s VFL program.
All six signings got their first taste of GIANTS VFL footy on Saturday as they made the trip to Sydney to feature in the club’s big 65-point win over the Swans in a VFL practice match at Tramway Oval.
Caruso said the hit-out was invaluable for the Albury-based cohort.
“It was great for the six boys to get up to Sydney on the weekend and play in our practice match against the Swans which gave them valuable experience and some great learnings,” he said.
“It was a great weekend with most of the boys also hanging around to socialise with the broader VFL squad and then watching our [AFL] win against the Magpies on Sunday too.
“All the boys acquitted themselves well in the practice match and looked comfortable at the level.
“In particular, Jace McQuade was competitive down back and complemented our AFL-listed talls Leek Aleer and Wade Derksen.
“Noah (Bradshaw) found plenty of the ball through the midfield, and Ben (Coghill) played a key role as a forward and backup ruck. It was great to see them all out there fitting in and gaining some great learnings to take back.
“We had always earmarked this game as an opportunity to expose them all and make sure that when called upon in the home and away season they have an idea of the level and what they need to do to execute on game day.
“The fact we had a strong win was an added bonus but also gives us confidence in what we are doing.”
Caruso added he was delighted with how the club’s Albury VFL Hub was progressing so far.
“Things have started really smoothly for the group and the boys have started their Wednesday night sessions there led by Josh [Duffy] which is mainly around game education and some drills to enforce how we want to play.
“We have been lucky enough to get on Lavington Sports Ground for the first few weeks and then we will move to Albury later this month. The support from everyone in the region has continued to be great.
“The plan is to continue to educate them in Albury weekly and then with [VFL] selection it will all come down to player availability and team balance. But overall the early signs are all positive with the group we’ve got and how things are tracking.
“The focus of the Hub was to improve our VFL stocks and develop some of the talented players in the region and so far, while very early, we feel we are achieving that.”
Some of the club’s Albury Hub signings will again feature this weekend when the GIANTS’ VFL side hosts the Swans’ VFL side in another practice match, with the GIANTS to host this time at Tom Wills Oval at GIANTS HQ on Saturday morning.
The GIANTS’ VFL side will open their season on Saturday, March 29 against Williamstown in Blacktown after having the bye in round one.
