The Western Crows have announced that they will add Auckland based players Josh Copeland, Alastair Maisey, Joseph Alesich-Tamariki and Luke Dunning to their retained players list for the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The players have been retained through Category 1 of the Retained Players List (RPL): Retention of Auckland based players who have not played for the New Zealand Senior team over the past 12 months.
Josh Copeland
The 2017 Western Crows number 1 draft pick Josh Copeland has been retained by the AFL New Zealand Premiership side for 2018.
It will be his second season with the Crows after a one year stint with the Northern Suns in 2016.
The 20 year old is a solid defender in the backline and is a key player for the Crows along with his local club side, the Waitakere Magpies.
Copeland has represented New Zealand at both U16 and U18 level and has a big involvement in the AFL New Zealand Youth competition as role of coach and is always eager to learn all aspects of the game.
Alastair Maisey
186cm tall, Alastair Maisey from the Mt Roskill Saints will remain at Western Crows in 2018.
The young defender generally plays off the half back flank and produced a man of the match performance for the Western Crows in round 4 of the 2016 Premiership to be claim the Rising Star award.
Alastair shows great attack on the ball and physical presence for his age. He continues to develop and will be a dominant key defender in the 2018 Premiership.
Maisey was also an Assistant Coach with the victorious 2017 New Zealand Kahu Youth Girls.
Joseph Alesich-Tamariki
2016 Rising Star Joseph Alesich-Tamariki will remain at the Western Crows in 2018.
The 18 year old has found a home in the forward line over the past two seasons, where his strong marking ability and accuracy at goal saw him as a key forward.
Currently playing for the North Shore Tigers in the Auckland AFL, Joey has made the move to the half back line. With more freedom to move up the field, Alesich-Tamariki is enjoying his new role and could be used as a swing-man for the Crows in 2018.
Luke Dunning
18 year old Luke Dunning from Auckland’s North Shore has been retained by the Western Crows for the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
After a couple of standout performances as a development player during the 2016 Premiership, Dunning was picked by the Crows in last year’s National Draft.
Following a solid 2017 season, the strapping defender was selected in the U18 side for the tour Melbourne back in April this year and continues to develop his game.
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