Central Giants have secured the experienced David Rattenbury to captain them for the 2016 AFL New Zealand Premiership season.
Rattenbury is currently player coach with the Waitakere Magpies within the Auckland AFL competition, a team that he has also won two Grand Finals with in a playing capacity in 2010 and 2013 since his debut in 2005.
Appearing for New Zealand in three consecutive International Cups in 2008, 2011 and 2014, alongside AFL Academy campaigns in 2012 and 2014, Rattenbury is blessed with an impressive report within AFL in New Zealand.
Rattenbury stated,
“It’s great that the competition will not only provide a step up for club players but also a place for young players to accelerate the development of their skills. If I can be a small part of creating a competition that attracts interest from AFL clubs and lines up more kiwis with International Scholarships, then I’m in!”
Read more: New AFL competition to hit New Zealand
Shannon Wall was grateful for having a player of Rattenburys experience to take charge on field.
“Dave has great communication skills and I think this will important in helping combinations form over a tight time frame.”
Rattenbury is part of the sixteen senior clubs in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago who are expected provide the bulk of the players to appear in the AFL New Zealand National Draft. To ensure available talent is identified, the draft process will also see the Regional Leagues and Clubs provided with the opportunity to nominate players for National Draft inclusion. This will be supplemented with opportunities for young talent, code converts as well as overseas based players who will appear in the “Wild Card” category of the AFL New Zealand National Draft.
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