Three GIANTS Academy players have spent the past two weeks at the WestConnex Centre training alongside some of the AFL’s leading players.
Western Sydney’s James Peatling and Riverina duo Shaun Driscoll and Jeromy Lucas got the chance to sample life at the elite level, participating in drills with the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Phil Davis and Josh Kelly.
GIANTS Academy Coach Jason Saddington said it’s a great experience for the trio of draft hopefuls.
“It’s a great opportunity for those lads to learn what it’s like at the next level, the elite environment,” he said.
“It helps them develop their skills and decision making in a fast-paced environment, which is what they have to get used to, to push their case for being drafted at the end of the year.
Driscoll, a small forward from Wagga Wagga who had a taste of NEAFL action in 2017, noticed the difference in training standard but felt he was better prepared for the leap thanks to his experience in the GIANTS Academy.
“It’s definitely a massive step up from playing in Wagga and learning off these guys has been unreal,” he said.
“The Academy has been great the last few years especially last year playing in the Academy series under age which was really good.
“We train in Wagga twice a week and it’s a really professional environment.”
Western Sydney’s Peatling, who plays for Pennant Hills Demons and also lined up for the GIANTS NEAFL side in 2017, wasn’t able to participate in all the field sessions due to an injury.
“James has been in rehab unfortunately and hasn’t had an opportunity to get out on the track,” Saddington said.
“He’s a cheeky small forward that likes to kick goals but his defensive pressure has been good in the past too.”
Despite the different program, Peatling soaked up every second of his experience, working alongside 2016 Sheedy Medallist and All Australian Toby Greene in the rehab group.
“It’s been really good training with the likes of Toby Greene in rehab, it really helps to learn how to train like an elite athlete,” Peatling said.
“I learned how to work hard and train like a professional, the way he (Greene) goes about it is really good.
“You can have a laugh but when it’s time to switch on he goes hard and gets the most out of it.”
Lucas, a hard-running forward from Ardlethan, a small town an hour and a half from Wagga Wagga, impressed on the track under the tutelage from one GIANT in particular.
“Matt de Boer really helped me a lot, he’s really taken me under his wing and given me directions,” he said.
“I really enjoyed it, the training’s been really good and I learned a lot playing forward.
“Lots of the players gave me direction and told me where to stand so I found it really easy coming in.”
The trio follow in the footsteps of GIANTS Academy graduates Jacob Hopper, Harry Perryman, Zach Sproule and Nick Shipley in having spent time at the club before playing in the national U18’s championships and eventually being drafted.
