By Samuel Davis, The Cairns Post
The Gold Coast Suns may have their very own Far North Queensland odd couple with Kowanyama’s Fitzroy Greenwool and Torres Strait Islander Tui Lowah joining their development program – that is, unless another club pinches them.
Goal sneak Greenwool, who claimed the AFL Cairns Troy Clarke Rising Star Award last season, underwent testing and interviews, along with hard nut Lowah, in front of rival AFL club scouts and recruiters last week on the Glitter Strip.
But AFL Cape York regional manager Rick Hanlon said, other than a love of footy, recruiters would have found the talented indigenous teens were “truly chalk and cheese”.
“The boys are just complete opposites,” Hanlon said laughing yesterday. “Fitzroy is very outgoing and has flair. His skill level is probably as good as any kid around the country.
“He needs to do a lot of work on his body because he’s probably only 60kg.
“But he has all the natural talent that is required. His challenge will be whether he does the hard stuff in the weight room.
“On the other hand, Tui is an introvert but when he crosses the lines he is extremely competitive. He loves to tackle and contested football.
“He has work to do on his skills but his ability to find the football and his endurance are very good. He never seems tired and takes a very good mark for a player his size.”
Testing at Tallebudgera Leisure Centre included vertical jumps, 20m sprints, an agility test and endurance drills. There were also nutrition, strength and conditioning and welfare workshops.
Suns academy manager Jason Torney said the tests were a challenging time for the promising AFL prospects.
Lowah and Greenwool are two of five players hailing from Far North Queensland who are members of the Suns academy program, which aims to develop promising footballers from across the state.
