AFL New Zealand has announced a 77 person wider training squad in preparation for selection for the 2019 ANZAC campaign and the 2020 International Cup in Melbourne.
The New Zealand senior team will compete in the annual ANZAC clash against the AFL Academy at Marvel Stadium (formerly Etihad Stadium) in Melbourne on April 27th next year.
The match traditionally hosted by Wellington’s Westpac Stadium over the past 8 years has been relocated to the home of football, in a move that will see New Zealand work towards their first ever win against the Australian team.
The two campaigns (ANZAC and the International Cup) 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.
The New Zealand selectors assembled a squad which features a good mix of experience and youth.
The inclusion of Brownlow medalist and 3-time AFL Premiership winner Simon Black and NEAFL and Northern Territory Thunder superstar Cameron Illet , is a fantastic boost for the squad.
The International Cup takes place in Melbourne every three years with the final held at the MCG.
The lowest it has placed in the 6 tournaments to date is third, with the highlights, a single victory in 2005 and two close losses to arch rivals Papua New Guinea by 7 points in 2008 and most recently by a single point at the MCG in 2017.
Additions can and will be made to the wider squad to replace players that are not meeting the obligations required for national representation.
The wider New Zealand Senior training squad is as follows;
| Name: | Region: | Club: |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Harris | Brisbane | Morningside Panthers |
| Adam Simpson | Brisbane | Springwood Pumas |
| Alastair Maisey | Auckland | Mt Roskill Saints |
| Alex Fakatoumafi | Auckland | Manurewa Raiders |
| Alex Awatere | Wellington | North City Demons |
| Andrew Howison | Melbourne | Dromana Tigers |
| Andriu Sucu | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| Barclay Miller | Melbourne | St Kilda FC |
| Ben Hick | Auckland | University Blues |
| Ben Northover | Melbourne | Frankston Bombers |
| Blake Nahu | Waikato | Central Giants |
| Brad Mavor | Canterbury | University Cougars |
| Brandon Sucu | Brisbane | Alexandra Hills FC |
| Brendan Clark | Sunshine Coast | Hinterland Blues FC |
| Bronson Hewitson | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Cameron Illett | Northern Territory | NT Thunder |
| Carlos Donnell-Brown | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Chai Proctor | Otago | Otago Riot |
| Christian Blackie | Otago | Otago Riot |
| Clayton Walters | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Couper Jones | Auckland | Southern Saints |
| Craig Morgan | Wellington | Hutt Valley Eagles |
| Dan Young | Brisbane | Bond University |
| Daniel Howie | Auckland | Southern Saints |
| David Rattenbury | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Dean Smith | Canterbury | Christchurch Bulldogs |
| Dean Staunton | Northern Territory | Southern Districts |
| Declan Crann | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Ethan Halton | Auckland | AFLNZ Academy |
| Harison Manks | Auckland | University Blues |
| Hayden Johnston | Otago | Otago Riot |
| Heta Scarf-Mathews | Otago | Otago Riot |
| Jackson Clince | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| Jackson Hemmingsen | Auckland | AFLNZ Academy |
| Jacob Tucker | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| James Dakin | Auckland | Central Giants |
| James McKenzie | Auckland | Mt Roskill Saints |
| James Kusel | Wellington | Hutt Valley Eagles |
| Jay Johnson | Canterbury | Eastern Blues |
| Jed Williams | Canterbury | Eastern Blues |
| Jerome Goodhue | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Joe Baker-Thomas | Melbourne | Packenham FC |
| Joel Brown | Auckland | Manurewa Raiders |
| Joey Alesich-Tamarki | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| Jonathon Macanawai | Queensland | Sherwood |
| Josh Mackie | Otago | Otago Riot |
| Josh Copeland | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Josh Allen | Bay of Plenty | Northern Suns |
| Josh Cunliffe | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| Josh Morgan-Ranui | Wellington | North City Demons |
| Liam Beattie | Auckland | University Blues |
| Lucas Jellyman-Turner | Melbourne | Berwick |
| Luke Dunning | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Luke Williams | Auckland | Howick Hornets |
| Manny Snooks | Northland | AFLNZ Academy |
| Max Urwin | Melbourne | Hastings FC |
| Michael Boyce | Auckland | Mt Roskill Saints |
| Misilifi Faimalo | Wellington | North City Demons |
| Mitch Ryan | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| Mykelti Lefau | Melbourne | Casey Demons |
| Nick Rhodes | Canterbury | University Cougars |
| Ronald Fuschtei-Hawke | Adelaide | South Australia |
| Ryan White | Auckland | Howick Hornets |
| Sam Anderson | Canterbury | Ashburton Eagles |
| Sam Cairns | Queensland | Wilston Grange |
| Sam Mckenzie | Auckland | Mt Roskill Saints |
| Sean Connolly | Queensland | Manunda Hawks |
| Shane Leat | Auckland | Waitakere Magpies |
| Shem Tatupu | Melbourne | Pines FC |
| Simon Black | Queensland | Brisbane Lions |
| Tayne Lockwood | Wellington | North City Demons |
| Te Kopa Tipene-Thomas | Waikato | North Shore Tigers |
| Tim Stokes | Auckland | University Blues |
| Ty Smith | Auckland | North Shore Tigers |
| William Gregson | Melbourne | Dromana Tigers |
| William Dickinson | Auckland | Mt Roskill Saints |
| William Kempt | Wellington | Wellington Saints |
The following players will be added to the squad pending availability:
- Aaron Edwards – Pines FC
- Connor Ballenden – Brisbane Lions
- Jake Patmore – Port Adelaide Power
- Jarred Jansen – East Fremantle Sharks
- Kurt Heatherley – Box Hill Hawks
- Lachlan Argus – Zillmere Eagles
- Matt Argus – Aspley Hornets
- Rupert Wills – Collingwood Magpies
- Sam Durdin – North Melbourne Kangaroos
