Seven players from the Sapphire Coast AFL Merimbula Giants program were given the opportunity to trial against some of the state’s best through the Joss State Zone Trials last week.
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The trials were aimed at developing talent with players aged 13-14.
Scouts from around the country flocked to Albury Football Ground in search of the next big thing during the trials and kept a keen eye on everyone taking part.
Current Sydney Swans player Isaac Heeney participated in the carnival in 2009 is just one success story of the possible selections into higher grades.
Bega Valley players Jedd Martyn, Billy Stubbs, Kynan Baker, Flynn Cook, Heath Beaumont, Caleb Higgins and Liam Russell put their best foot forward.
The group played for the ACT South Coast area and featured throughout the week in the best on ground stats.
“The boys can be really proud of their efforts over the week,” Sapphire Coast development officer Jarrod Moore said.
“Although I was only able to make the carnival on Wednesday, the boys were highly competitive and they all have tremendous footballing futures ahead.
“Sometimes when you play with new players in a new system you can get a little lost on the field, but credit to the boys they definitely looked at home out on the field.”
The carnival was extremely successful for the two ACT/ South Coast teams.
Particularly the under 13’s squad, who came away from the carnival with five wins and just one loss.
The team’s run included defeating perennial powerhouses the Riverina and Murray, but Sydney North stopped the squad from claiming a flawless trip with a narrow win in the final game.
Meanwhile, the under 14’s squad were able to secure three wins and three losses, but was gallant in all six of its matches.
Organisers said the boys played polished and fluid football at all times.
“They were unlucky not to bag a few extra wins in closely fought games,” a spokesman for the trials said.
Moore congratulated all the boys who took part in the massive event.
“It is a credit to all involved within the carnival and the Giants and Swans development programs all around the state for putting on a fantastic four-day event,” Moore said.
“It gave the boys an opportunity to live like an AFL footballer for four days and show the players just how hard they have to work to reach the top echelon of the game.
“To get seven players into the carnival is a great result and credit must go to Doug Martyn and Glen Baker for their hard work at the Merimbula centre.”
The pair of coaches have been recognised for their work within the Sapphire Coast AFL and continue to develop young talent.
