The New Zealand Falcons have named a team consisting of previous international experience, New Zealanders based in Australian as well those who have risen up the ranks rapidly through their performances in the AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The match against the AFL New Zealand All Stars will take place on Sunday April 23rd at 1.30pm at North Harbour Stadium, following the completion of the 2023 AFL New Zealand Premiership season.
Cantabrian Andrew Howison has been retained as Falcons Captain and he will be joined in the leadership group by Southern Saints team mate Jay Johnson and Western Crows midfielder Shane Leat.
10 players will play their first Senior game for the Falcons, whilst veteran Aaron Harris will appear yet again for the Falcons in a career that has surpassed 15 years and 3 International Cup campaigns. The Premierships leading goal scorer Jack Synott, has raced through the ranks to nab his debut in what has been a rapid rise for the small forward.
Kieran Charlton, Hayden Johnston, Alastair Maisey and Xavier Bryham all make their debuts following on from their AFL New Zealand Academy pathways over recent years.
AFL New Zealand Coaching staff will include current Coach Chris Mundell (Western Crows) and Assistant Coach Rob Malone (Central Giants) and they will be joined by current New Zealand Under 18 Coach Justin Gauci and Southern Saints Matt Cawley as they work towards gelling the groups together.
In a first for AFL New Zealand, the NZ All Stars and New Zealand Falcons game will be an addition to the calendar and provide a solid contest for players currently playing at the highest level. With international travel restrictions now disappearing, the International Cup has been scheduled for Maroochydore on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in August 2024 and the game is a great introduction to restart the representative calendar.
Game Day will feature the presentation of jumpers to both the Falcons and All Stars teams as well as an After Match Function following the game. Details will be provided in the coming days. The announcement of the All Stars team will follow shortly.
The New Zealand Falcons last took to the field on April, 26th 2019 against the AFL Academy side on Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
| First Name | Last Name | Region | Premiership Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew | Howison | Christchurch | Southern Saints |
| Jay | Johnson | Christchurch | Southern Saints |
| Shane | Leat | Auckland | Western Crows |
| Sean | Butler | Coromandel | Central Giants |
| Kirk | Murray | Hawkes Bay | Central Giants |
| Troy | Brown | Auckland | Western Crows |
| Alastair | Maisey | Auckland | Western Crows |
| James | Ellison | Auckland | Western Crows |
| Harison | Manks | Auckland | Central Giants |
| Brendan | Clark | Waikato | Western Crows |
| Hayden | Johnston | Dunedin | Southern Saints |
| Josh | Mackie | Dunedin | Southern Saints |
| Jack | Synnott | Dunedin | Southern Saints |
| Xavier | Bryham | Melbourne | Australian Based |
| Sam | Cairns | Brisbane | Australian Based |
| Aaron | Harris | Brisbane | Australian Based |
| Lucas | Jellyman Turner | Gold Coast | Australian Based |
| Josh | Robles-McGill | Christchurch | Southern Saints |
| Kieran | Charlton | Christchurch | Southern Saints |
| Jarred | Percival | Christchurch | Southern Saints |
