The first AFL New Zealand Academy National League was held at Parrs Park in Auckland over the weekend of March 14 and 15.
65 boys from around the country were pre-selected into 3 National League teams and came together to play 4 games over the weekend.
The Giants, Crow’s and Eagles all provided a great display of skill and athleticism which developed even further over the course of the weekend.
At the conclusion of the tournament, the Crow’s, who were coached by Northland Academy Director and Senior New Zealand Hawks player Mike Gregson claimed the trophy by going undefeated. The win was built on a solid foundation of sound and steady defence, which gave the forwards confidence to play attacking football.
Tournament Director Sam McKenzie was blown away by the support of the parents who came out to watch the tournament. “This has been by far the most amount of support we have had at an AFL New Zealand event”.
The focus now moves onto the naming of the final travelling team for the Academy New Zealand Hawks tour to Sydney on March 19 where they will play games against a NSW Independent Schools All Star Team and the Sydney Swans Academy.
Day 1:
Game 1: Giants vs Eagles
Full Time: Giants: 7.7:49 vs Eagles: 4.4:28
Game 2:
Crows vs Eagles
Full Time: Crows: 7.5:47 vs Eagles: 6.3:39
Game 3:
Crows vs Giants
Full Time: Crows: 6.6:42 vs Giants: 5.5:35
Day 2:
Game 4:
Crows vs Giants
Full Time: Crows: 4.6:30 vs Giants: 3.8: 26
Game 5:
Giants vs Eagles
Full Time: Eagles: 5.7:37 vs Giants: 4.3:27
Game 6:
Crows vs Eagles
Full Time: Crows: 5.10:40 vs Eagles: 4.1:25
Players of the Tournament:
Crows: Carlos Donnell-Brown (Auckland)
Giants: Masiu Vanikolo (Rotorua)
Eagles: Utu ah Kuoi (Wellington)
Player of the tournament: Connor McGeough (Wellington)
