Baxter Cowley was among Australia’s best young footballers to descend on Ballarat last week, with a highlight being tasked to play on the son of AFL legend Luke Hodge.
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Ballarat hosted the School Sports Australia 15 years and Under Australian Football Championships.
It was a week long event featuring future AFL and AFLW stars in the making from across Australia.
“The overall experience was unbelievable, and something that I will remember forever,” Cowley said.
More than 450 players and officials were in attendance, as well as additional family and friends.
“Saturday started off with a light training session with the boys before the opening ceremony at Mars Stadium,” he said.
There were 24 matches played across the week with the key eye of recruiters watching, featuring representation from every state and territory in Australia except for NT.
Pool A featured: SA, Vic (Navy), NSW and Tasmania.
Pool B featured: QLD, WA, ACT and Vic (White).
The NSW team played Tasmania first up on the Sunday, with NSW taking the win 12.10 (82) to 1.5 (11).
“We had a good win. It was a great start to the week, and the boys got up and about,” Cowley said.
On the Monday the side came up against a strong South Australian team and had their first loss - 4.7 (31) to South Australia’s 16.8 (104).
“I felt I did well in this game,” Baxter said.
“I kicked a goal and was named as one of the best on ground.”
On Wednesday, NSW played Vic (Navy) going down against a strong line up - 2.2 (14) to 10.12 (77).
“We held them on until three quarter time, but they ran away with it in the last quarter,” Baxter said.
“They were an extremely strong side who ended up taking out the carnival.”
Thursday the team came up against ACT and scored a comfortable win - 11.11 (77) to 0.3 (3).
After a rest day on the Friday, NSW played Queensland for fifth and sixth, with NSW coming out winners in a low scoring match - 4.5 (29) to 3.5 (23).
“I played on Luke Hodge’s son for part of the game,” Baxter said.
“It was a tough match with conditions not the greatest. We ended up with the win, and that placed us fifth overall.
“After the game, coach Heath Russell, assistant coach Travis Doyle and team manager Josh Edwards gave three coaches’ awards.
“I was lucky enough to be one of those and received a New South Wales guernsey signed by all my teammates and two AFL GWS players that had spoken to us at a dinner on Friday night.”
Vic Navy came away with the gold medal against an equally tough Western Australia side side.
“During the week we had several social gatherings that included recovery sessions, dinners, movies and a lot of cold rock ice cream,” Baxter said.
“I’ve made some lifelong mates.
“I really look forward to getting back to my club footy this week against Katandra though, and then playing some finals footy.
“I would really like to thank mum and dad, the Deniliquin Lions Club, the Deniliquin Rovers Football and Netball Club, and some other special people for supporting me to be able to enjoy this experience.”
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