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AFL Outer East: Under-18s set to benefit from representative clash with touring New Zealand side

Veteran interleague coach and football development manager Danny Ryan says the AFL Outer East under-18s will reap the rewards from a rep game against New Zealand.

Former Yarra Ranges interleague coach Danny Ryan says AFL Outer East youngsters will get plenty out of an exhibition match against New Zealand. Picture: Lawrence Pinder
Former Yarra Ranges interleague coach Danny Ryan says AFL Outer East youngsters will get plenty out of an exhibition match against New Zealand. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

The league’s up and coming talent will be on show at an international level after it was announced that the AFL Outer East will take on a touring New Zealand under-18 side in an exhibition match at Hastings in April.

The match, scheduled for April 23, will provide another big stepping stone for the development of the league’s next generation.

AFL Victoria football development manager Danny Ryan, a three-time premiership coach at Woori Yallock and an AFL Yarra Ranges interleague coach, said being involved in such a match would greatly benefit the league’s up and comers.

“We’ve been working really hard to set up a development program and pathway for our kids,” he said. “There’s an opportunity going forward to go over to New Zealand and play some games. It’s really exciting and it’s another add-on to our junior programs.”

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The New Zealand under-18s have been making the annual trip for a number of years and play a fixture against the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League. They have now added the match with the AFL Outer-East to that yearly itinerary.

Ryan said playing an international rep game would also provide the players with the opportunity to audition for NAB League observers.

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“It’s another chance for the kids that have been cut from the Eastern Ranges or haven’t had an opportunity to show themselves, to put themselves forward,” he said.

“And it’s a good opportunity for the Eastern Ranges to get another look at all these kids.

“There’s two or three coaches who are keen to help out and we’ll announce them in the next week or so.

“They are young coaches. Even though this is part of a development program for our players, it’s a development program for our coaches as well.”

AFL Outer East squad:

Emerald: Angus Sheldrake, Ben Lewis, Brodie Walker

Gembrook-Cockatoo: Callum Bourne, Mitchell Candy, Patrick Snoxell

Healesville: Callum Sibley, Samuel Gebert, Jack Howie, Brandon Murphy

Monbulk: Alex Green, Jake Niclasen, Ben Grimes

Mount Evelyn: Bailey Syswerda, Declan Thiele, Cooper Colee

Olinda: Lauchlin Johnson, Brad Langridge, Tyler Belloni, Alex Buckingham-Brown, Frank Seal, Max Thornton

Upwey Tecoma: John Koutros, Ben Matthews, Will Hutcheon, Matthew Brasher

Wandin: Flynn Kroeger, Lachlan Riddiford, Benson Dunn

Wesburn: Aiden Norfolk, Ben Burke, Kai Hatch, Lachlan Marr

Woori Yallock: Dylan Briggs, Liam O’Dea, Angus Smith

Yarra Glen: Rory Smith

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/afl-outer-east-under18s-set-to-benefit-from-representative-clash-with-touring-new-zealand-side/news-story/1b25e032c1d7eb45e34181f0689b22f6