Two of South Australia’s most promising young footballers will join the Adelaide Football Club this week as part of the AIS-AFL Academy program.
Talented 17-year-olds Mac Bower and Jesse Watchman will spend time on and off the field with Crows players, coaches and football staff to learn what it takes to play the sport at the highest level.
Crows Development Coach Tate Kaesler said it would be an invaluable opportunity for both young men on the road to the draft.
“It’s mainly about giving them a feel for what it’s like in the AFL system,” Kaesler said.
“It’s a very important year for them. They’re obviously looking to be drafted and any little insights that we can give them will help them into the future.”
A highly-rated junior footballer originally from Payneham-Norwood Union, Bower won Norwood’s Under-16 Best and Fairest in 2012 and has represented South Australia in the Under-16 and Under-18 squads.
“Mac went really well in his first training session with us. He moves very well,” Kaesler said.
“He did some really nice things and is a good size with a nice kick on him. I spoke to him after the second training drill and he said, ‘Wow, this is intense and the speed goes up.’ I think he was surprised with the amount of work the boys do.”
Bower has already had a taste of playing against bigger-bodied opponents after playing seven SANFL Reserves games in 2013. His best performance was a seven-goal haul against Central District in Round 21.
West Adelaide youngster Watchman also knows where the goals are. The 196cm utility also kicked a bag of seven goals late last year against South Adelaide in the SANFL Under-18s.
Unfortunately for Watchman, a thumb injury will limit his ability to join training during his time at West Lakes.
“Even though Jesse might not be able to train, he’ll still be exposed to the Club and sees what goes on behind the scenes,” Kaesler said.
Crows Matt Crouch, Brodie Smith and Patrick Dangerfield are among the long list of AIS-AFL Academy graduates to make it onto a senior AFL list.
