Five players from the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy have been selected in the AIS-AFL Academy Squads.

Dylan McDonald (Albury), Jacob Hooper (Leeton) and Jock Cornell  (Wagga Wagga) have been chosen in the AIS-AFL Academy Level One Squad and Liam Griffiths (Goulburn) and Nick Coughlan (Albury) have been selected in the AIS-AFL Academy Level Two Squad.

GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews congratulated the players on their selection  “This is a great endorsement of the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy and the work done by Manager Lachie Buszard to develop young talent in our regions in NSW and the ACT,” Matthews said.

“I also want to acknowledge Slater & Gordon for partnering for this important program and their tremendous support to give young players an opportunity to pursue pathways into the AFL system.”

The players will receive an AIS-AFL Academy scholarship and will come together four times over the next 12 months for training camps. Both squads will also travel overseas.

The Level One squad was selected following the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. They will be coached by AFL Engagement and Talent Co-ordinator Chris Johnson.

AIS-AFL High Performance Coach Michael O’Loughlin will coach the Level Two squad. Players in this squad are eligible to be drafted in 2014.

The AIS-AFL Academy commenced in 1997. Since that time, 33 graduates have played in a premiership, 25 have been named an All-Australian at least once, 18 have won their club’s best and fairest, 11 have been the number one selection at the NAB AFL Draft, four have won the NAB AFL Rising Star and three have won the Norm Smith Medal. 

In 2013 there are 204 AIS-AFL Academy players on AFL lists. These players have played a combined 13,827 AFL games and have kicked 9507 goals.

National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said the Academy program prepared players for the rigours of AFL football.

“The players will experience elite training and mentoring that will help their development both on and off the field. Both squads will also represent their country overseas which is unique in our game.

“We are constantly striving to give the players the best preparation for life as a professional athlete,” he said.

Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players selected in AIS-AFL Academy Squads:

DYLAN McDONALD 17-1-97 183cm, 64kg NSW-ACT/MURRAY BUSHRANGERS/GWS/ALBURY

Medium midfielder with pace to burn. His leg speed combined with his agility are rare and this is clearly evident in his ability to break the game open and take opposition players on. A very well balanced player that is a very good kick on his preferred right foot, making smart decisions with his disposal. Displays clean hands and is a genuine one touch player. Averaged 14 possessions, 3.3 marks, 3.7 tackles and one goal during the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.

JACOB HOPPER 6-2-97 185cm, 72kg NSW-ACT/GWS/LEETON-WHITTON

Medium midfielder with an excellent work ethic that has the ability to win the footy both on the inside and outside. Shows excellent composure with the ball in hand making smart decisions and executing well by both hand and foot. A very clean player that rarely fumbles, finds plenty of the ball and can be damaging with his disposal when he exits the stoppage. Missed the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships through injury.

JOCK CORNELL 2-4-97 185cm, 78kg NSW-ACT/GWS/MANGOLPAH-CUE

Medium forward that reads the ball exceptionally well in flight and presents up very well at the footy. His ability to mark on the lead as well as body on body makes him a dangerous target inside forward 50. A very good set shot for goal, he has shown he can kick accurately from a variety of angles. Possesses very good football smarts and executes well by both hand and foot. Averaged 18 disposals, 4.3 marks and 3.3 goals in three games at the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. Nephew of Essendon’s Neale, Anthony, Chris and Terry Daniher.

LIAM GRIFFITHS 12-1- 96 184cm 72kg NSW-ACT/GWS ACADEMY/AINSLIE

Medium midfielder with elite running ability. Has excellent leg speed and can break the lines with his run and carry. Kicks the ball well on both sides of his body and makes good decisions when in possession. Has a real hunger to compete and a willingness to learn. Displays very clean hands along with an excellent understanding of the game. Missed AFL Under-18s this year due to injury but was impressive at Under-16s level for NSW ACT in 2012.

NICHOLAS COUGHLAN 12-9- 96 192cm, 77kg NSW-ACT/GWS ACADEMY/MURRAY BUSHRANGERS/ALBURY

Tall forward with very good athletic ability and strong hands overhead. Is very agile at ground level and presents up well on the lead. Covers the ground with ease and is a reliable set shot for goal. Can play as a key position forward as well as a mobile half forward.