THREE Port Adelaide academy players have been chosen in the 42-man state under 18 squad to represent South Australia at the 2018 NAB National Championships.
Next Generation Academy players Kai Pudney and Martin Frederick, both 18, caught the eye of state selectors along with Father/Son Academy member Jackson Mead, son of inaugural John Cahill Medallist Darren Mead.
Port Adelaide's SANFL and Next Generation Academy Manager Shane Grimm congratulated the talented youngsters, who each play their club football for Woodville-West Torrens.
“Kai and Marty have both played reserves with the Eagles as well as playing in the Under 18s and they’ve both performed very well,” Grimm said.
“Marty’s been playing as a wing-half back and he’s excelled.
“Last year he was a more stay at home lock-down defender but this year he’s starting to take the game on a lot more and that’s taken the eye of the state selectors.
“Kai they’ve been playing as a mid and on the wing but they’re also trying him down back now.
“He’s regularly the leading possession getter in the games he plays and he’s such a hard runner.
“We’ve noticed a huge improvement in those two guys because they did spend some of the pre-season training with us.”
Grimm said Mead was a longer-term prospect because he was still just 16.
“Jack Mead is still an under 17 so he’s got next year as well and he’s had a fantastic start to the year as an inside mid who regularly goes forward and hits the scoreboard as well,” he said.
“He’s a really nice left and right foot kick,
As part of their academy program, Grimm said the boys took part in pre-season training at Alberton under the guidance of Director of Academies Stuart Cochrane.
“They come in on Mondays and follow a strength and conditioning program where they see the physios and also they have some craft sessions run by Matthew Broadbent, in the absence of Stuart,” Grimm said.
“They also watch some individual vision of themselves with Broady to work on their game.”
The South Australian Under 18 team is coached by former Port Adelaide vice-captain and coach Tony Bamford.
The current list of 42 will form the basis of the McDonald’s SA Under-18 side which will play in four AFL National Championships matches throughout June and July.
The Croweaters will open their campaign against Western Australia at Alberton Oval on
They’ll also play matches against the Allies in Geelong on
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