The depth of players ready for senior selection has increased after the Lions played a series of scratch matches against AFL sides in hubs on the Gold Coast.
The games have been 16-a-side on the field and there have been a handful of big names among the oppositions to give the Lions’ younger players first- hand experience of what the step-up to senior footy would require.
In the first match the defenders had to contend with Fremantle star and former Rising Star winner Jesse Hogan, then it was the forwards who had multiple All Australian and premiership hero Jeremy McGovern breathing down their necks.
Last week the Crows’ side featured Matt Crouch, Paul Seedsman and Riley Knight, who all appeared in Adelaide’s 2017 grand final side.
AFL assistant coach and NEAFL forwards coach Zane Littlejohn said the opportunity to be exposed to that class of player offered a major boost t the development of the young Lions.
Eli Smith and Connor McFadyen both spent time directly on Crouch, a former All Australian, and performed well.
“It has been huge,’’ he said.
“For Ely and Connor to play on an All Australian, it was a great opportunity for them.’’
Rhys Mathieson, Tom Fullarton, Mitch Hinge and Alex Witherden were other players who were in great form.
Littlejohn believes the series of scratch matches has helped fast track the players’ readiness for senior footy.
And he paid credit to the way the side approached the games that were not scored, were only 16-a-side and were not for premiership points.
“They are playing against guys trying to achieve the same thing and that is to get an AFL game,’’ he said.
“Rather than have three or four players potentially ready to play we are getting a good handful up to a dozen, we get the chance to measure them up against other AFL players.
“The other thing that’s been very impressive is their attitude has been great, it is 16 v 16 but no one is complaining, everyone is making the most of it.’’
Zane also joined our most recent episode of The Roar Deal to discuss the practice games in more detail.
