West Australian Football

The Perth Demons 16’s development squad have capped of a successful 16’s carnival with seven players included in the state 16’s training squad.

After the seven round WAFL 16’s carnival, the team finished with six out of seven wins, falling short in their last game going down by eight points to Swan Districts.

The Demons players impressed the state selectors, with seven players selected in the initial state 16’s training squad, equal with East Fremantle with the most players selected.

The players include Reece Conca (Victoria Park), Michael Edwards (East Fremantle), Kane Gatty (South Perth), Cody McIlveny (Gosnells), Dylan Murry (Victoria Park), Alex Tough (Willeton) and William Waldon (Queens Park).

The WAFL 16’s Development Program is an extension of the 15’s carnival and is played from March 28 – April 27, with each WAFL club selecting one team to participate in the carnival.

The players began a WAFL colts like pre-season program in December running until the carnival started in March.

Coach of the 16’s Dave Ellis said the program helped the players improve in all areas of their football. He put the success of this year’s program down to the attitudes of the players.

“I think that all the players grew in confidence and self belief as the program progressed and the end result was our most successful program in probably the last 3 years,” he said.

“I think the success of our squad this year was due to the attitudes of the players selected, all the boys were keen to learn and improve their footy as individuals.

“I think some scratch match wins early also helped to create some self belief and confidence in each other.”

Mr Ellis said all of the players who represented the Demons in the 16s Carnival had a bright future in with Perth Football Club.

“Seven boys selected in the State squad is a fantastic result but there are also a number of other boys who were not selected that have great potential to take their footy to the next level,” he said.

The aim of the carnival was to further develop players and provide the opportunity to impress state selectors, who were looking for competitors for the AFL NAB National Championships in July.

Perth district manager Darren Solomon said the 16’s development program was not only about winning games but bringing back a respect to the Perth Football Club.

“Although the carnival is about putting players through the pathway and not necessarily winning games of football the coaching group from an early stage set about developing a winning culture and respect for the Perth Football club that the club is so desperately trying to bring back,” he said.

He also commended the efforts of the team, with so many players in contention for the state 16’s squad.

“Their ability to play as a team for the entire program was a credit to them. The group was very even across the board and will hopefully represent the Perth Football Club for many years to come.”

The state program begun with players attending a team building camp at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp in Hillarys from May 2 – 4.

The NAB National 16’s Championships will be held on the Gold Coast from July 23 – August 3.