XBlades AFL Sydney Rep squad announced

The AFL Sydney squad for this year’s AFL NSW/ACT Representative fixtures has been announced.

The team will take on a representative squad from the Black Diamond AFL League on Saturday, 20 May 2017.

Last year’s Premiers, East Coast Eagles, have picked up eight selections for the AFL Sydney team.

Eagles forward Mark Weekes has been rewarded for some good form in front of goal, after kicking 10 goals across the first four weeks of this season.

Kieren Emery’s early season form has also been acknowledged, with the half-back selected in the squad.

The North Shore Bombers and Western Suburbs Magpies were the next best represented teams with five players each. North Shore Bomber, Wayd Blackburne has been selected after kicking 14 goals so far this season.

The Pennant Hills Demons and UNSW-ES Bulldogs have four players selected, with Manly-Warringah Wolves and St. George Dragons both providing two players each.

Two players have been selected from the table-topping University of Sydney side, with Alister Clarke and Oscar Osbourne representing the Students.

The team will be coached by Michael Sankey. Sankey was most recently the Senior Coach for the East Coast Eagles, leading them to the 2016 Premiership.

Sankey believes that the key to success against the Black Diamond team will be their disposal efficiency.

“Our aim will be to surround our key position players with the best users of the football in the league,” Sankey said.

“If we can achieve this, then I have no doubt we will have a strong side, which we will need if we are to be successful against the BDAFL [Black Diamond AFL].”

Sankey will be joined by Lindsay Scown (Western Suburbs), Andrew Turner (East Coast) and Andrew McLellan (Pennant Hills) as part of the wider coaching team.

Lauren Bunting, Football Operations Manager of AFL Sydney, is impressed with the strength of the squad.

“It can be a long football season, so adding in an extra game for players can sometimes be a big ask,” says Bunting.

“But it is exciting to see so many players putting their hands up to represent the league.”

“For these players to be recognised by their club and by representative Coach Michael Sankey as being up to the challenge of representative football tells you a bit about their ability as footballers.”

The AFL Sydney side will take on the Black Diamond AFL representative side on Saturday, 20 May 2017 at Adelaide Street Oval, Tumbi Umbi. The game starts at 2.15pm, with the women’s game at 12pm. The Women’s Representative team will be announced next week.

 

AFL Sydney Representative Squad