AFL New Zealand has identified 50 athletes for wider squad selection for the New Zealand Senior team in 2017.
The two campaigns will include ANZAC to be played at Westpac Stadium on April 24th 2017 and the International Cup in Melbourne in August 2017. The two campaigns will see their respective selection processes carried out independently of each other. Criteria for eligibility will vary for the two campaigns with considerations placed on performance, International Scholarship status and player development, all factors in selection.
Those involved in the initial squad who are not selected for the ANZAC campaign and fulfil the required criteria, will still have the opportunity to be selected for the International Cup.
In one month, additions and subtractions based on performance will be made for both campaigns. The availability of Australian based talent will also play a bearing on squad additions. Head coach Rob Malone is intent in selecting the best possible teams.
“Our target is to select the best possible team for New Zealand. The ability to add or delete names from the squad, will ensure competition for spots and show case who is willing to work hard to achieve final selection”.
The first campaign will be against the Australian Under 17 team to be played at Wellington Westpac Stadium and will commence at 11.30am on Monday April 24th 2017.
This will be followed by the International Cup in Melbourne with players arriving in Melbourne 4th August and departing 20th August 2017. New Zealand will play five games against International opposition including Papua New Guinea and Ireland with the final to be played in Melbourne with the final to be played at the MCG.
Current Central Giants coach Rob Malone will be joined by Justin Davies as his assistant as the New Zealand team prepares for the upcoming season. Coaching staff will be finalised over the coming weeks.
The wider New Zealand Senior Squad is as follows;
Region First Name Last Name Club Brisbane Aaron Harris Coorparoo Kings Brisbane Adam Simpson Springwood Pumas Melbourne Andrew Howison Oakleigh Districts Auckland Andriu Sucu North Shore Tigers Melbourne Barclay Miller St Kilda Saints Auckland Ben Hick University Blues Canterbury Brad Mavor Christchurch Bulldogs Brisbane Brandon Sucu Wilston Grange Brisbane Brendan Clark Maroochydore Roos Auckland Carlos Donnell-Brown Waitakere Magpies Canterbury Charles Barnes Mid Canterbury Eagles Otago Christian Blackie Otago Hoops Wellington Craig Morgan Hutt Valley Eagles Brisbane Dan Young Bond University Auckland David Rattenbury Waitakere Magpies Otago George Read Central Giants Wellington Harison Manks Wellington City Saints Otago Heta Scarf-Matthews Otago Riot Auckland Jackson Clince North Shore Tigers Wellington James Kusel Hutt Valley Eagles Canterbury James Bowden Eastern Blues Canterbury Jared Court Eastern Blues Canterbury Jay Johnson Eastern Blues Melbourne Joe Baker-Thomas St Kilda Saints Auckland Jordan Drinkall University Blues Wellington Josh Morgan-Ranui North City Demons Otago Josh Mackie Otago Hoops Auckland Josh Cunliffe North Shore Tigers Auckland Joshua Copeland Waitakere Magpies Canterbury Kyle Smith Christchurch Bulldogs Auckland Liam McMaster University Blues Auckland Liam Beattie University Blues Auckland Maxwell Hicks Central Giants Auckland Michael Boyce Mt Roskill Saints Wellington Misilifi Faimalo North City Demons Melbourne Mykelti Lefau Casey Demons Auckland Nick Bailey Mt Roskill Saints Wellington Peter Halstead Eastern Bulldogs Auckland Samuel McKenzie Mt Roskill Saints Auckland Shane Leat Waitakere Magpies Brisbane Simon Black Brisbane Lions Northland Te Kopa Tipene-Thomas North Shore Tigers Auckland Tim Stokes University Blues Auckland Ty Smith North Shore Tigers Melbourne William Gregson Waitakere Magpies Auckland William Dickinson Mt Roskill Saints
