Seven Fremantle Next Generation Academy Players have been selected to represent their state in the National Kickstart Championships.
The boys were selected from a team of 25 for their commitment and dedication across a four-week program, as well as a trial match they played against Nic Natanui Academy players under lights at Mineral Resources Park.
Representatives from Fremantle, West Coast Eagles, AFL and the WA Football Commission selected Mitchell Edwards, Marcus Fitzgerald, Isaiah Hayden, Kris Hayden, Jesse Merillo, Tama Oakley and Jett Sibosado to take part in the annual program, which sees more than 150 indigenous players representing their state in a round-robin football carnival over five days.
NGA Coach Roger Hayden was extremely proud of not just the seven boys selected for the Kickstart Program but everyone that pulled on the Freo jumper during the match against West Coast’s Academy players.
“They should be very proud of their efforts, and we look forward to them all continuing their development with the Fremantle Dockers Next Generation Academy in the future,” Hayden said.
“The participants showed great dedication and commitment to the program and it was great to see everyone mingling after the game, from both sides.”
The Fremantle team that played against West Coast were picked from a squad of 40 players from Freo’s NGA aligned WAFL Zones West Perth, South Fremantle, East Fremantle, Claremont, and Peel.
NGA: Fremantle v West Coast Trial Match Summary
By Roger Hayden
Fremantle Next Generation Academy players went down by 23 points in a trial match against Nic Natanui Academy players after a slow start at Mineral Resources Park on Friday night.
Fremantle fought hard to get back into the game but missed opportunities resulting in the 12.11 (83) to 8.12 (60) loss.
A four goal start to West Coast helped with early momentum and they were able to utilise their speed up the ground with a few of the Eagle forwards getting out in space and finishing strongly.
Despite this, the Fremantle NGA players showed positive signs around the contest with their ball use from defence and worked their way back into the game in the second quarter.
After the main break the Freo players displayed composure with their ball movement and were able to reduce the margin and hit the lead mid-way through the third quarter but were overrun late in the quarter with three quick goals to West Coast and headed into the final break five points down.
Fremantle came out strong in the last quarter, but West Coast absorbed the pressure and finished the game by kicking five goals to two in the final quarter.
Nic Natanui Academy 4.4 4.7 7.9 12.11 (83)
FFC NGA Academy 2.3 3.7 6.10 8.12 (60)
FFC NGA Players
- Zane Triscari – South Fremantle
- Josh Bellini – South Fremantle
- Michael Panaia – East Fremantle
- Kye Blakeney – South Fremantle
- Udi Bin Swani – Claremont
- Brayden Green – South Fremantle
- Brayden Seelander – South Fremantle
- Jacob Simpson – East Fremantle
- Jesse Merillo – Perth
- Terrance Munro – East Fremantle
- Hayden Eades – South Fremantle
- Tyler Yappo – East Fremantle
- Darryl Mason – East Fremantle
- Joseph Woods – South Fremantle
- Tama Oakley – South Fremantle
- Tyrell Bropho – West Perth
- Thomas Councillor-Dann – South Fremantle
- Ezra Dimer – South Fremantle
- Jaezari Wynne – Claremont
- Kadence Flanagan – East Fremantle
- Jack Spence – Peel
- Kris Hayden – West Perth
- Isaiah Hayden – South Fremantle
- Marcus Fitzgerald – Peel
- Mitchell Edwards – Peel
- Jett Sibosado* - Claremont (Late withdrawal for PSA Commitments)
