FROM THE VAFA TO THE AFL

Andrew Leonard

The VAFA has a proud history in developing players who go on to play at the highest level. 
With the announcement today that St Kilda in the AFL have elevated rookie Sam Dunell to their senior list for the rest of the year, another page is written in that history. 
Sam, is a former Old Melburnians player who starred in the Big V U23 representative team in last years Australian Amateur Carnival games in Adelaide. 
His efforts saw him subsequently named in the All Australian team for the carnival.  
After the carnival,  Sam was recruited to Bendigo Bombers for the remainder of the 2011 season before being rookie listed by the Saints at the end of the year. 
Sam is the son of current Old Geelong coach Frank Dunell. Frank is also the former coach North Old Boys, St Bernard’s and Old Essendon. He has also coached the Big V U23s and the 2005 All-Australian team on their tour to Ireland. 
Sam has been selected to make his debut for the Saints this weekend in their clash with Brisbane. He has been named on the interchange bench for the trip to Brisbane. 
From all of us here at the Amateurs we wish Sam the best at St Kilda.