The AFL Academy placement program has been an eye-opening experience for Adelaide's three South Australian protégées.
Glenelg's Jonty Scharenberg, Sturt wingman Steven Slimming and Norwood ruckman Peter Ladhams are midway through a two-week placement with the Club as part of the AFL Academy’s development program.
The trio is among 33 Academy members who will receive a sample of life behind the scenes at club level across the competition.
Scharenberg, the younger brother of Collingwood’s Matt, said he was relishing the experience.
“It gives you a real taste of what it’s like inside an AFL club and the environment,” Scharenberg said.
“It’s given me an idea of how it all goes, how some of the players train and the standards that the AFL environment demands.
“I know I’ve enjoyed it and the other boys have had a ball too.”
The youngsters are spared the heavy conditioning sessions, but join in with players for skill work and some meetings to provide a deeper understanding of the range of demands required in the modern game.
“It’s pretty full on,” Scharenberg said.
“Being here for the week has given me an idea of the training standards that you need to meet every day. The intensity at training and the skills are elite. You’re expected to meet that standard every session.
“The drills can be pretty intense, but they’re good drills and we’ve really had a lot of fun.
“I’ve learned a lot just by being here and I reckon it’ll help me improve as a player.”
The 185cm, 79kg midfielder, who played two League games with Glenelg in the SANFL this year, said it was also beneficial to meet and mix with a range of people at the Club.
“One session I worked with the mids, then the next session I was with the forwards and then the backs, so I’ve worked with all the different lines,” he said.
“It’s good as I’ve had a bit to do with some different players.
“But it’s been fantastic just to get to know the players, staff and coaches in general and try to learn a bit off all of them.”
The AFL Academy squad will tour America in January on a two-week high-performance camp with stops in Florida and Los Angeles on the itinerary.
