The 30-man squad is touring a handful of Melbourne clubs this week to learn through observation, as well as application.
“The real focus this week is an insight into the expectations once you to get to an AFL club, so we’re down here at Seaford today to see and experience the excellent facilities of the St Kilda Football Club,” AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said.
“Next week the players inducted to a club to spend a week there, and we’ll work with the Saints to give the two that come here a unique money can’t buy experience. It’s all about seeing what it’s like and trying to get the dream into some sort of reality.”
Veteran Saint Stephen Milne, as well as second year players Jack Newnes spoke to the boys before they sat down with a sports psychologist for goal setting exercises and undertook fitness testing.
The training session allowed St Kilda recruiters to get a firsthand look at some of the nations best talent in preparation for the 2013 AFL National Draft.
“These 30 players are selected based on their performance in their competitions and the championships of the previous year,” St Kilda Recruiting Manager Tony Elsahug said.
“That doesn’t mean to say they are going to be the best, but last year we had 20 out of the 30 got drafted so a lot of the kids are in the frame. Also, the other part to the AIS program is that they’re good people, as well as good players so they’re a very impressive bunch.”
192 players across the competition have trained with the AIS before becoming AFL players.
Among St Kilda’s most recent recruits, Nathan Wright and Brodie Murdoch took part in the program.
“Basically one in four AFL players on a list is from the AIS and that’s going to grow,” Tony Elshaug said.
“So we make sure that we keep a good eye on them throughout the year and follow their progress.”
After their two week stint at AFL clubs across the country the players head back to their local clubs for three months before flying to Europe for a training camp in Italy, a game in London against the AFL Europe side and a visit to Denmark.
“It’s a fast learning curve because you come in 50 days a year, learn as much as you can, and then you’re back into your own club in whatever state you’re from before going to Europe. They’ve got the most brilliant year ahead of them,” Kevin Sheehan said.
“They’ve just got to get the balance right between football, schooling, social life and family but we surround them with the best from Mickey (Michael) O’Loughlin to Glen Jakovich to Brad Johnson, Matthew Lloyd and Brad Ottens – they’re all former champion players who have been great successors and they’re teaching them as much as they possibly can over this compact period.”
