With the five country TAC Cup clubs operating successfully and providing quality programs for talented 15-18-year-olds, player development is progressing well, despite geographical difficulties. Football Victoria is committed to providing equal opportunity for talented young country players in their home environments.
Participation in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships is the achievement of a major goal in their career.
The Vic Country team is proud of its performances at recent carnivals, having reached the past five finals and winning Division One titles in 2000 and 2003.
Coach Leon Harris, a former Fitzroy champion and Victorian player, has coached both the Vic Country Under-16 and Under-18 teams for the past eight years and is pleased with his team’s preparation. He believes all 25 players in the team recognise the great opportunity they have to represent their state.
Harris knows they will need to perform at their best, individually and collectively, if Vic Country is to be competitive against its Division One opponents.
Harris was delighted that eight members from last year’s Under-18 team were drafted by AFL clubs, and that Andrew McQualter, Brett Deledio, Jordan Lewis, Chris Egan and Jarryd Roughead have already made their AFL debuts. They join other Vic Country players, including Brendon Goddard, Jarrad Waite, Cameron Ling, Nick Dal Santo, Gary Ablett, and Luke Hodge, in making an impact at AFL level.
The Vic Country team acknowledges the wonderful support provided by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to Football Victoria’s youth talented player programs, and particularly to the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships team.
THE GRADUATE - Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions)
"We had a terrible carnival in Brisbane the year he played, but Jonathan was one of the few that stood up and showed he could play well under extreme pressure. He was super-aggressive and loved a contest – just as he does now." - Vic Country coach Leon Harris
