Star junior footballer Tom Scully enjoyed a stellar few days last week, when he was firstly selected in the AIS-AFL Academy Squad before making a great debut for the Dandenong Stingrays. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Marc McGowan
THE already bulging resume of Berwick prodigy Tom Scully grew further last week, with the local football talent being selected in the 30-man Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) AFL Academy Squad.
The 12-month scholarship is a big boost to 16-year-old Scully’s AFL stocks, which were already high after sharing the Kevin Sheehan Medal for the best Division One player at this month’s national under 16 championships in Queensland.
The program has been a launching pad for many AFL careers, with past graduates including Chris Judd, Andrew Embley, Cameron Ling, Luke Hodge and Lance Franklin.
“Obviously, it’s really good – I’m stoked actually – to be in it and it’s a really good opportunity,” the Haileybury College student said.
“It’s a pretty big advantage because in January or February I’ll get to spend a week with an AFL club and I’ll find out what it takes to make the next level.”
Scully, who played juniors for Berwick and Narre Warren, will also travel overseas to Ireland or South Africa with the squad at Easter.
The destination will be decided in the next month and the teenager is looking forward to playing for his country.
“It would definitely be a great honour to represent Australia,” Scully said.
“I’ve enjoyed watching the AFL International Rules and I’ve wanted to have a crack at it, so if I got that opportunity it would be great.”
AIS-AFL Academy head coach Alan McConnell, who played 37 games for the Bulldogs during the 1980s and had coaching stints at Geelong and Fitzroy, is glowing in his praise of Scully.
“I observed him over the trial games and at the nationals for Victoria Metro and I’ve been keeping tabs on him for three months now,” he said.
“He’s obviously a very talented footballer who is focused, skilful and driven.
“Tom’s selection was rightfully deserved because his three games at the national championships were absolutely exceptional.”
McConnell said the inductees undertook rigorous testing at the AIS.
“The boys go through a full range of assessment – physiological, psychological, biomechanical and nutritional – basically everything that affects performance,” he said.
The players will also be in Canberra for this year’s draft camp, where they will receive an insight into what to expect when their turn rolls around in 2008 or 2009.
To top off Scully’s week, he also made an impressive debut for the Dandenong Stingrays in their 104-point loss to the Northern Knights at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
He kicked two goals, including the Stingrays’ first, and was named in Dandenong’s best as he roamed around half-forward and the midfield.
“I didn’t expect to dominate the game and I was never going to,” Scully said.
“I just wanted to do my best and didn’t try to stand out. I gave off to the first option and did the team basics.”
The game also gave Scully the opportunity to play against Matthew Kreuzer and Trent Cotchin, who are both expected to be taken in the first five picks in this year’s AFL National Draft.
They were the Knights’ best on the day, with Kreuzer dominating in the ruck and up forward with six goals while Cotchin kicked four majors of his own.
“It was good to play against them and get a feel for playing against real quality opposition,” Scully said.
“(Kreuzer) is unbelievable for his height at ground level. He was awesome on the weekend and no-one could stop him.”
