By ZAC MILBANK
South Australia’s brightest young talent will gather for a five-day AFL Academy Hub camp at Immanuel College from April 23 to April 27.
An extra 24 players have been added to the squad which came together for January’s AFL Academy camp, with the additional numbers required to play Western Australia’s AFL Academy Hub in a two-match series on April 26 and April 27.
Seven players – Riley Thilthorpe, Jye Sinderberry (West), Zac Dumesny (South), Taj Schofield (Eagles), Luke Edwards, Kaine Baldwin (Glenelg), Corey Durdin (Central) – will be unavailable as they will be in Melbourne representing the Australian U17 team in a match against New Zealand on Saturday April 27.
In SA, the best SANFL Under-18 players will experience a wide-ranging agenda under the guidance of State Talent Manager Brenton Phillips and SA Under-18 coach Tony Bamford.
On the opening day, players will undergo online psyche testing, a physio screening and media training. They will also be split into forwards, midfielders and defenders, to be educated on game sense, mobility and strength as well as footy craft.
Day 2 will include a training session at Alberton Oval in the lead up to the two matches against the Sandgropers, followed by a Yoga rejuvenation session.
On Anzac Day, the playing group will attend the dawn service at Glenelg before watching the Statewide Super League Grand Final rematch between North Adelaide and Norwood at Prospect Oval.
Game 1 will see SA Yellow tackle WA Black from 1.30pm at City Mazda Stadium on Friday April 26 before SA Blue hosts WA Yellow at the same venue from 9.30am on Saturday April 27.
In between, players will be interviewed by AFL club scouts, who will be tracking their movements during the two encounters against WA.
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