Tasmania's under-15 football team shows promise for future: assistant coach

Coach of the state under-16s and assistant coach to the under-15 side that will travel to Adelaide for the school state championships next month, Warren says Tasmania will give AFL recruiters plenty to think about over the coming years.

“That (under-16) group’s really strong and obviously our Mariners – we’re expecting three possibly four to be drafted this year,” he said.

“And then right up to this group in the 15s... it’s looking pretty good for Tassie footy to get a few drafted each year which is great.”

A group of 11 Northern Tasmanians feature in Adam Bester’s 31-strong under-15 side, with Launceston and Prospect Hawks each producing a region-high three selections.

Warren singled out the trio of Ryan Whitney, Cobey Evans, Blade Sulzberger among the players most likely to star at the July 21-28 championships.

The team also includes cricket prospect Sam Freeman, the brother of Tasmania-listed spinner Jarrod. 

“They should be really competitive, they’re a good group.

“We got nine in the side and two emergencies… last year we only had six but I think this year’s group is a really good group statewide.

“(Whitney is) playing development league at North Launceston at the moment and I hear he’s knocking on the door of playing seniors there – he’s a strong midfielder and defender as well so we expect him to go really well.

“Cobey Evans from Longford, he’s won a couple of junior league best and fairests over the years, and Blade Sulzberger from Prospect is a really good athlete, a tall running defender and can play outside wing as well.”

Warren said many of the players would be holding fundraisers to help finance the trip.