Four local AFL players took a step into the big league last weekend, warming up huge crowds for a Sydney Swans and North Melbourne Kangaroos game in Coffs Harbour.
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Cody McGillivray, Seb Blair, Jonno Roberts and Ellie Ford had a glimpse of the professional footy world; meeting the players, training with experienced coaches and playing in front of thousands.
McGillivray, Blair and Roberts joined a Northern Stars team made up of Northern Inland Academy of Sports (NIAS) and Northern Rivers players, which took on the North Coast Academy of Sports (NCAS) in a pre-game match on Saturday.
Despite a narrow loss to NCAS with a final score of 11.3.69 to 4.8.32, opposing coach Mathew Anderson was impressed by the Northern Stars and their coach Alan Martin, from NIAS.
“Alan did a great job building and forming a team of boys from across the northern region. By the third and fourth quarter they looked like a seasoned team,” he said.
AFL development/program leader Sonia Martin said the NIAS boys adapted quickly to play in a team of relative strangers – having only met the day before.
“They were probably a bit nervous at first, but they went really well with it,” she said.
“They were right out of their comfort zone, but they did really really well.”
Despite a season of injuries, Blair was a stand out. “He was just sensational,” Martin said.
Ford left her mark in a halftime match with the female Northern Stars team.
“She’s got a really bright future,” AFL development/program leader Sonia Martin said.
“She played the best game I reckon I’ve ever seen her play. A real sort of fierceness with her play,” Martin said.
“It was an excellent exhibition match, and because they didn’t have full teams, they played on a smaller ground directly in front of the grandstand, so they had the whole crowd there.”
Although Ford is not a NIAS athlete, she was invited to play due to her strong reputation in the region. Martin said the game was an opportunity for Ford to benchmark her performance, which was among the top few players.
On Sunday, the group also had the chance to train with the well resourced NCAS, which had nutritionists, assistant and running coaches.
“It was mind blowing. It was amazing to see that this is the level that these guys were stepping it up to,” Martin said.
They were thrilled to watch the Sydney Swans train and meet their idols.
“That was amazing. The Sydney Swans guys were so good with them,” Martin said.
Inverell Saints training starts on Thursday at Cameron Oval, 4.30-6pm. Grades include juniors under 14 (boys), under 15 (girls) mixed and under 17 boys. New players are welcome. Open women and men training will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm.
Naomi Shumack
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
