Fremantle’s Brady Grey has been impressed by the young talent emerging through the Next Generation Academy, especially during his time coaching the East Fremantle school-aged side.
Year six and seven students from Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy development teams represented their WAFL clubs in the Fremantle Next Generation Academy metropolitan carnival on Tuesday at Atwell Reserve.
In the lead up to the carnival the Claremont, East Fremantle, South Fremantle, West Perth and Peel Thunder sides were given four weeks of training from Fremantle’s academy coaches, as well as an education session from Michael Johnson.
“There are some really exciting kids coming through East Freo,” Grey said.
“It’s the first time they’ve been able to represent their regions and, hopefully, there’s a few guys that will start their AFL journeys today.
“As long as the kids are enjoying the opportunity and getting exposed to the next level of football and the highest level they can get exposed to, it’s a really exciting time for them.”
Grey was proud of the efforts of the East Fremantle side.
“It’s a really exciting time for these kids,” Grey said.
“Hopefully, there’s some that come through the system and are playing with us in the next five to six years.”
12-year-old James Maher played for the East Fremantle team coached by Grey.
“It was good having him for the four weeks,” Maher said.
“We learnt a lot.
“They play the real thing, so it’s good getting advice from someone who plays football professionally.”
Following the announcement of the return of Tendai Mzungu to Fremantle as the inaugural coach of the side’s Next Generation Academy, Grey said the veteran of 106 games with Fremantle and GWS would bring valued experience from his time at the Giants.
“It’s excellent,” Grey said.
“Tendai is a really great character and the club was a different place without him this year.
“I think he’ll bring the experience of being with GWS but also his hard work.
“The journey he took to get to AFL is inspiring for the kids. It’s a different journey to what some of the kids have gone on but his experience in life is valuable.”
