The Carlton Football Club has recently signed two NSW Scholarship Players.
Matthew Lodge, a 15 year-old from Possum Creek in northern New South Wales and Western Sydney-based 15 year-old Blake Bray.
Last year, Lodge played Under 14 football with the Byron Bay Magpies on a Saturday, and the Coolangatta Blues on a Sunday.
Meanwhile, Bray, a 190cm key position player, from Picton High School, is currently playing senior football for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the Sydney AFL.
Bray recently played representative football in the NSW Under 16 championships and impressed recruiters in a variety of roles including Full Back, Centre Half Back and Centre Half Forward.
The Blues now boast four players signed under the NSW Rookie Scholarship program - Lodge and Bray, Penrith’s Jake Pianta and Pennant Hills' Josh Fenaroli.
Under the program, the players will spend regular periods training with Carlton. The Club will have the option of priority listing on its primary player list in the future.
The AFL scholarship program is aimed at teenagers aged between 15–17 years. Under scholarship guidelines, AFL clubs can recruit up to six teenagers from greater Sydney and southern NSW in each year. Scholarships can range from 1-3 years duration with recipients receiving financial assistance towards their football and education.
CFC TV caught up with National Recruiting Manager, Wayne Hughes to discuss our recently signed players.
Click here to view the video
