WAFL State 18s squad finalised Friday, May 22, 2015 - 10:46 AM

The West Australian Football League State Academy has announced its third player intake and leadership group, with a talented squad of 42 players now available for selection in this year’s NAB AFL National Championships.

The National Championships commence tomorrow (Saturday, May 23) when Western Australia plays South Australia at 11.20am at Lathlain Park as a curtain-raiser to the WAFL v SANFL state game.

TEAMS: WA v SA

The WAFL State Academy continues to develop elite players for both WAFL and AFL ranks, with 87% of State Academy players becoming WAFL League debutants or AFL listed players over the past five years.

Since 2010, over 85% of WA’s NAB AFL National Draftees have come through the WAFL State Academy, with many players going on to be key leaders on and off the field for their respective clubs.

These have included Nat Fyfe (FFC), Nic Naitanui (WCE), Mitch Duncan (GFC) and Bradley Hill (HFC), making the WAFL an industry leader in producing high end talent.

WAFL Talent Manager Raff Guadagnino said the Academy was excited to welcome a new group of inductees and provide the opportunity for them to develop under the experience of the WAFL State coaching structure led by Andrew Lockyer.

“The 2015 program sees the introduction of Andrew Lockyer to support the elite coaching pathway, as well as maintaining the “Team WA” culture within the WAFL State Academy,” he said.

“All State players must be capable of becoming strong contributors to their WAFL clubs at senior level. Throughout the selection process, WA has focussed on players who possess unique, all-round skills and most importantly, are solid characters.

“Also, the program continues to develop and support experienced WAFL coaches with the inclusion of Arthur Maskos, Clint Ernst and Steve Armstrong into the State 18’s Academy as assistant coaches,” Guadagnino said.

LEADERSHIP GROUP

Greg Clarke (captain), Bailey Rogers, Tom Bennett, Jack Watson, Josh Rotham and Sam Petrevski-Seton.

Full squad: WAFL State 18s Squad 2015

2015 NAB AFL State 18s Fixtures

Saturday 23 May – 11.20am – WA v SA (Lathlain Park)

Sunday 31 May – 12pm - WA v Vic Country (Medibank Stadium)

Saturday 6 June – 12pm - SA v WA (AAMI Stadium)

Saturday 13 June – 11.20am - WA v Vic Metro (Domain Stadium)

Friday 26 June – 2:35pm - Vic Metro v WA (Simonds Stadium) – FOXTEL

Thursday 2 July – 1.15pm - Vic Country v WA (Simonds Stadium) – FOXTEL

*All local times

Staff & Coaches

Raffaele Guadagnino – WAFL Talent Manager

Sharni Rowe – WAFL Talent Coordinator

Andrew Lockyer – Head Coach

Shane Yardley – Chairman of Selectors

Bruce Willis – Team Manager

Linton Davies - Head Trainer and Assistant Manager

Steve Armstrong – Assistant Coach

Arthur Maskos – Assistant Coach

Clint Ernst – Assistant Coach

Brett King – Ruck Coach

Jamie Douse – Team Runner

Harry Baynard – Strength & Conditioning Coach

Tom Wallace – Strength & Conditioning Assistant

Nick Caputi – Physiotherapist

Michael Newbound – Physiotherapist

Andrew Stanford – Physiotherapist

Lionel Lim – Doctor

Tom Hill – Doctor

Brad Collard – Player Welfare