All junior football clubs exist primarily to provide an avenue for the young footballers in their area to have the chance to play football in a properly structured atmosphere.

At the same time, most clubs devote considerable resources to the development of their players and to assisting them to be the very best players that they can be.

Our club is no different and we derive enormous pleasure watching our players grow to become successful footballers.

Very occasionally we are fortunate to have a player or two in our ranks who are exceptionally talented and who go on to play football at the highest possible level - in The Australian Football League or the VFL.

Players from our club who have reached the pinnacle in their development at a senior AFL or VFL club include:

Andrew Schauble - Collingwood & Sydney

Cayden Beetham - St Kilda

Tom Roach - Richmond, North Ballarat, Swan Districts

Tom Hooker - Collingwood (Rookie), Port Melbourne

Sam Cust - Box Hill Hawks

Currently, there are three players in the AFL who played all of their junior footy with our club and another two whose early careers were with us. We have, and will continue to follow their exploits with a great deal of interest.

One them - Tom Cutler, is in his sixth year with the Brisbane Lions whilst the other two - Jack Silvagni and Dan Houston are commencing their fourth years. Our fourth AFL player - Josh Daicos has just completed his second year with the Pies and our most recent draftee - Ben Silvagni is about to start his first year with the Blues.

Tom Cutler

Brisbane Lions Football Club

Tom is in his sixth seasoin with the Brisbane Lions and has really started to 'come of age' as an AFL footballer.

As we expected, Tom appears to have become an automatic selection and can be expected to participate in virtually all games in 2019

Unfortunately, Tom has had a less than perfect run with injuries at the start of his time with the Lions but all that seemingly is behind him now and he has enjoyed several years - virtually injury free.

After playing all of his junior footy on the forward line, Tom has become a permanent fixture on Brisbane's backline although his role is generally a running one.

Ever since starting with Brisbane, Tom's progress has been one of slowly but surely. He is now a mature AFL footballer and we expect him to further consolidate his position in 2019.

In Round 13 2017, Jack was nominated as the AFL Rising Star for that week. Our club congratulates him on his nomination.

Refer article reproduced from www.afl.com.au

Dan Houston

Port Adelaide Football Club

Dan's story is a mini 'Triumph over Adversity' one.

After missing selection in the 2016 AFL National Draft, Dan was selected as a 'Rookie' by Port Adelaide. Whilst not quite as good as being selected in the National draft, it nevertheless isn't a bad second.

Determined to advance his career beyond the Rookie stage, Dan began his career full of determination only to be struck down by a fairly serious injury just prior to the start of the 2016 season.

The result was that Dan missed all the footy part of his club's pre-season and was expected to return to football in SANFL fairly quietly.

Dan being Dan, that of course didn't happen and Dan played pretty well - being named amongst his team's best and kicking two goals.

Dan played out the year in Port's SANFL team - mainly on the forward line and whilst he performed pretty well, it wasn't until Port decided to try him on the backline that he 'came of age.'

Dan's performances playing off half back in the AFL pre-season competition in 2017 were ones to make everyone sit up and take notice. The result of which has been a promotion to the senior list.

In 2017 Dan was selected in the senior team for the first game and remained there for the entire season.

Dan is now definitely among his club's best 22 and recently signed a contract extension that will keep him tied to the Power until at least the end of the 2022 season.

Our club extends its best wishes to Dan and trusts that his career with Port will be enjoyable and successful.

In Round 21, Dan was nominated as the AFL Rising Star for that week. Our club congratulates him on his nomination.

Refer article reproduced from www.afl.com.au

Hear Dan's radio interview on Adelaide's 5AA on his promotion to Port's senior list

Read an article reproduced from the AFL's website regarding Dan's upgrade from the Rookie list and the signing of his playing contract

Josh Daicos

Collingwood Football Club

Whilst Josh doesn't have quite the length of service with us as the guys mentioned above, he is nevertheless, a former Falcon.

Josh commenced playing with us in the Tackers and was a prominent member of his group up to and including the Under 12s.

After the Under 12s he left us to play in a more competitive competition.

Everyone would be aware that Josh is the eldest son of former Magpie champion Peter and even in his younger days it was evident that he had inherited some of his dad's 'magic.'

Josh was a 'Father & Son' selection by Collingwood in the 2016 AFL draft.

Upon his selection he was immediately thrust into service - training at the Westpac Centre.

We wish Josh well in his endeavours with the Pies and trust it won't be too long before he is a regular member of the senior team.

Collingwood fans will be delighted to learn that Josh has a younger brother - Nick, who is just as skilful.

Ben Slilvagni

Carlton Football Club

Like Josh Daicos, Ben doesn't have quite the length of service with us as the first three named above although the circumstances that shortened his Falcons career were definitely beyond his control.

Ben commenced playing with us in the Tackers and was a prominent member of his group up to and including the Under 13s.

Unfortunately, when Ben was ready and able to continue his career in the Under 14s we found ourselves without a team for him to be a member of - such are the vagaries of junior footy.

Ben now joins his brother Jack as a member of the Blues club and like his brother has that same heritage that can be both a blessing and a curse.

Ben has enormous talent and to date has mainly played as a reliable defender although as everyone knows, where a player plays his footy in younger days means absolutely nothing when it comes to the AFL.

His youngest brother - Tom plays for our Colts and has become one of his team's principal players.

The Silvagni name has long been associated with Carlton - since the 1960's in fact, but this will be the first time that two brothers bearing the name will be playing together. (Alex Silvagni is not a family member).

Well done Ben, we are sure it won't be very long before you run on to field alongside Jack.