It has been a big week for four young men as they got a glimpse of what life is like as an AFL player.
Goulburn’s Liam Griffiths and Albury’s Nick Coughlan, members of the AIS-AFL Academy level two program, joined the club as part of their 2014 Academy program.
They were joined by fellow PM Capital GIANTS Academy stars, Canberra’s Tom Faul and Culcairn’s Jeremy Finlayson.
“It’s been great. A bit of a step up from what I’m used to, I’m not used to the intensity and the physicality the GIANTS boys bring to training but all round a great experience,” Griffiths said.
“Monday was a bit of a shock, trying to get used to it but since then the body’s kind of settled in a bit and feeling good,” Faul said.
As members of the PM Capital GIANTS Academy, the quartet already have strong relationships with the club with each mentored by a GIANTS player.
Griffiths, who plays for Canberra side Ainslie, is a courageous midfielder with a high work rate and the ability to run and carry the ball. He has already formed a strong link with GIANTS vice-captain Tom Scully.
“Over the last year I’ve been mentored by Tom Scully due to the GIANTS Academy program,” Griffiths said.
“I’ve spoken to Tom in all aspects - on and off field - of football and he’s been really great. He’s been there for me when I need to speak to somebody.”
A student at Scots College in Albury, Coughlan won the GIANTS Academy Award in 2012 for exceptional leadership skills, physical preparation and consistent performance.
He said his relationship with Matt Buntine, who was recently named as part of the GIANTS’ emerging leaders group, helped him settle in this week.
“I’ve got a mentor in Matt Buntine so he’s sort of taken me under his wing and shown me the ropes a bit which has been really good to see,” Coughlan said.
“And all the first-year draftees sort of know what we’re going through at this stage.
“Hopefully it just gives us a good experience of what it’s like to be at an AFL club ... and take it back and work on it throughout the year so if I’m lucky enough to get drafted at the end of the year sort of go straight into the gist of things.”
The players are eligible to be drafted at the end of the 2014 season with all four able to be nominated by the GIANTS as Academy players.
