JUST months after picking up an AFL footy and signing up at the elite level with the Saints, New Zealand scholarship holder Giovanni Mountain-Silbery’s development is on track and progressing well.

The 17-year-old is hard at work training for the upcoming South Pacific Under 16 championships that will be held in Brisbane next month.

St Kilda List Manager Ameet Bains said since Mountain-Silbery first played in the New Zealand Under 18 championships in April he has seen a steady improvement in the Aucklander’s game.

“The fact that Giovanni is improving and showing a strong desire and enthusiasm to learn the game is exciting,” Bains said.

“We’re looking forward to having him visit the club next month where he will witness first hand the rigours of AFL and the elite preparation players go through.”

Mountain-Silbery, who has been identified as a key forward and ruckman, will visit Linen House Centre in July to get a real taste of the AFL environment.

Since signing with the club in March he has been training with a coach one day a week to improve his skills.
Known for his speed, leap and power, Mountain-Silbery caught the eye of Saints recruiters at the AFLNZ Combine in late January where he registered 2.97 seconds for a 20m sprint.

He still has a couple more years to develop his skills while he finishes school and is still expecting add to his 196cm frame.