The Sports Association of Tasmanian Independent Schools will send a team to Melbourne on Friday for the second year running.
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The squad will play a second-string Associated Public Schools of Victoria side at Carey Grammar Sports Complex on Saturday at 10am, as part of the annual APS v Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria winter representative carnival.
Team manager Adrian Finch said the match gives year 11 and 12 students an opportunity to represent the state and catch the eye of AFL club recruiters. “It gives them another avenue to be seen and spotted. Last year about half a dozen got a write-up on the AFL draft combine website as a result of this game,” Finch said.
“There are a number of boys missing out due to injury, club football or that have already had enough exposure … but we have a number of players on the radar lining up.”
The team will be coached by St Pats’ seven-time premiership winning boss Laine Cleaver, state academy coach Mitch Hills and Blair Brownless from Guilford Young College. Finch said the Tasmanian team would compete fiercely.
“APS are an extremely talented side and last year we were within three goals in the last quarter, but we were doing our best just to keep up all game,” he said.
“But we feel that we’ve got a stronger team this year from the depth of talent put forward from the schools. So you never know how we’ll go.”
APS will be represented by students from Brighton Grammar, Xavier College, Geelong Grammar, Carey Grammar, Haileybury, Geelong College, Melbourne Grammar, St Kevin’s College, Scotch College and Wesley College.