Twelve GIANTS Academy players have been selected in the Allies squad to take part in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships beginning in June.
Highly rated Western Sydney prospect Nick Shipley is among the 12 players selected in the 48-man squad to play in the five round competition against South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia.
The Allies squad is comprised of the best talent from the recently completed Under 18’s Academy Series with players also coming from the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney Swans Academies as well as the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Shipley was named the GIANTS Academy’s MVP after a string of impressive performances as the GIANTS finished third in the competition.
“He transferred across from soccer around 15 and has just continued a rapid rise of development,” said GIANTS Academy Coach Jason Saddington.
“He’s a real hard working, utility type who can play half-back, half-forward and through the midfield.
“He’s so strong in the contest and one on one in possession, and he can go forward and kick goals.”
With recent changes to the GIANTS Academy zone Shipley is one of only five players in the Allies squad who the GIANTS can bid on in November's 2017 NAB AFL Draft.
Highly touted duo Charlie Spargo and Jarrod Brander will go directly into the draft alongside a host of GIANTS Academy teammates.
“We’ve worked with both Charlie and Jarrod in the program for a long time,” Saddinton said.
“They’re both talented footballers and whilst we don’t have access to them we’re really proud to see them performing well at the moment.
“They’ve represented us through the Academy series and we’ll keep on working with them to help them achieve their footballing dreams.”
Canberra products Jack Powell and Tom Highmore will also be ones to watch over the NAB Under 18s Championship.
“Jack Powell’s an AFL Academy player, he’s a really good midfielder,” Saddington said.
“He’s very clever around the contest and clean in congestion.
“Tom’s had some injuries but he’s really matured this year, he’s a tremendous player.”
The Allies begin their NAB Under 18’s Championship against Victoria Country at Blacktown International SportsPark on Sunday June 11, at 12.30pm.
2017 NAB AFL UNDER-18 ALLIES SQUAD
NSW-ACT (GIANTS Academy): Nicholas Shipley, Brendan Myers, Jack Powell, Nathan Richards, Jarrod Brander, Alex Paech, Daniel Johnston, Laine Fitzgerald, Doultan Langlands, Jy Lane, Tom Highmore, Charlie Spargo
