Wolfpack News Archive

As you’ll know, we’ve already spent a lot of time scouting players to determine candidates for Wolfpack. The main thing we want to do is make sure that when we choose the squad that we have had the chance to assess everyone properly. Following are the selection procedures:

Before the end of the NSW season two squads will be announced. I want to stress that at this point no player has been confirmed as being selected, or told what category they might be chosen. Players have been spoken to but mainly only to indicate that they are being looked at for Wolfpack.

The first will be a list of A CANDIDATES

This will be 60 players that the coaches feel are either ready for Wolfpack, or who are in competition for roster spots. These are players who have shown in scouting that they have potential to make the final travelling squad – which will only be 46 players. The ‘As’ are those we consider top candidates for Wolfpack.

The second list will be the B CANDIDATES

These are players who aren’t in our top 60 for various reasons: either not fitting the scheme or have not scouted as well as the top 60. But they are players we would still like to assess. If you are selected as a B CANDIDATE it doesn’t mean that you have no chance of making Wolfpack. You will be looked at and tested. I expect there will be some ‘bolters’ from this list who put themselves into consideration for the squad.

It’s been decided that the physical testing – speed, agility, strength etc – will take place mid-late January (dates tbc.) This is to give players a chance to rest after the season and hit the weights, do some running, get over niggles etc. This will then be followed by two days of Trials in late January – where both A & B candidates will participate in football specific drills. This will give us a good idea of how players perform in situations specific to our schemes.

After those trials the 60 man train-on squad will be named. Keep in mind that players may have a preference of where they want to play, but decisions will be made in context of what the team requires and needs.

That squad will then be cut down to 46 players about 7 weeks out from the tournament.

All of this is to ensure two things:

• To make sure that we assess every Wolfpack candidate fully
• To ensure we arrive at a squad of the best footballers, who are the most talented and most committed we can find.

For those that have received the testing for Wolfpack (available via email from the Gridiron NSW website) there are some strength elements that you may need technical help with. We’ve been lucky enough to have a few qualified trainers identify themselves who will be able to help you learn the correct technique for the lifts. They are:

• Stuart Etcell – Outlaws
• Andreas Lundin & Kieran Deale – Lions
• Gabriel Marambio – UTS
• Peter Upham – Seahawks
• Todd Russell & Jared Delandro – Pirates

Wolfpack appreciates these players helping out.

Play hard. Lift hard.
Coach D

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Jason Gaffey has joined the Wolfpack coaching staff as Defensive Assistant / Quality Control. Jason has been freed up from some other responsibilities and brings a wealth of experience in Wolfpack football. He also has just returned from a successful stint as Australian Outback Head Coach where he led a very successful European Tour.

Confirmation has just been received of the dates for NATIONALS.

Games are scheduled for Saturday April 10 to Saturday April 17, with the schedule involves 3 preliminary games followed by the National Championship game.

The venue is the State Netball and Hockey centre, Parkville in Melbourne. That’s about 5kms from the CBD.

Just to let you know that the testing standards for the 2010 Wolfpack have been finalised. They are available by request via the email link at right.

The testing aims to establish some basic standards for each player in strength, agility, speed, endurance and explosion. It gives us another yardstick to judge players by.

Already myself and the coaches have scouted nearly 200 players from the league – from veterans of more than a decade in the league to rookies. There is a magnificent talent pool in the league. Now this testing gives you another chance to show your value.

I’ll clarify something about the testing: the squad will be selected on football ability. That’s the only way we can build the best squad possible. We’re not taking away a track team or a powerlifting squad. We’re taking away a football team. So football ability is the first standard. However the Wolfpack tests can show some other things: basics athleticism as well as desire and discipline. The testing will not be used to eliminate players, but as an additional tool in evaluation. They will be compulsory for all players who want to make the squad.

So get in touch and find out what the testing is.

Regards,
Coach Dunne