Monday 2 February 2009
Six of Queensland’s best young players who were overlooked in the last National Draft have been given plenty of encouragement by the new Gold Coast club.
The teenagers have all been invited to train regularly with the Coast’s new TAC Cup under 18 team, despite being ineligible to play for it.
What it will give the talented half-dozen is a great chance to impress for a berth with the Gold Coast the following year when they enter the VFL competition.
And by being in the system, they will be right under the noses of those responsible for putting together the AFL list when the club joins the elite competition in 2011.
The benefit for the players’ AFLQ clubs is that they will be training at an elite level, improving their skills for the 2009 Velocity Sports Cup.
Broadbeach whiz Dayne Zorko, Morningside grand final star Ryan Holman, Aspley key defender Shaun Tapp, Redland’s Justin Myers, Mt Gravatt ruckman Joel Smouha and Panthers key position player Ben Gibson were invited to participate in the Gold Coast program.
All six met with Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna before Christmas and were encouraged to train with the Coast around their club commitments.
The Coast made it clear they wanted the arrangement to be beneficial for all parties, sending a positive message to all young players coming through the local competition.
All six were potential draftees this year, with Zorko starring at senior level over the first half of the season and playing open State football alongside Tapp.
Myers was outstanding for the Australia Post Queensland Scorpions Under 18 side, Holman led the Syd Guildford Trophy voting after the first month of 2008 season, and Smouha and Gibson were standouts against quality players at different times.
Last Modified on 02/02/2009 11:25