AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan watched as South Warrnambool’s Hugh McCluggage and Koroit’s Jarrod Korewha played on the hallowed turf of the MCG on grand final day.

The pair were part of the Australian under 17 team that took on an Allies under 18s line-up in a curtain-raiser to the premiership decider between Hawthorn and West Coast Eagles.

“Look, both boys went well, they certainly made the most of the opportunity,” Sheehan said.

“Hugh looked right at home, he was very composed and fitted in well.

“Jarrod is coming along well, he can now play at both ends and he is a good size so there is plenty to like about him.

“It was a great football and life experience for these boys.” 

The Allies were made up of the best under 18 players from New South Wales/ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania.

The Australian under 17 team comprised players from the AFL academy that will be eligible for the 2016 draft.

The Allies won a high-scoring game by 14 points with McCluggage and Korewha kicking a goal each.

Sheehan said the game was a great showcase of talent which would have attracted the eyes of all AFL clubs.

He said 23 per cent of all players drafted came from the academy and 38 per cent of the players from the two opposing grand final teams followed the pathway.

“A big part of this game is so clubs can see these boys playing on the biggest stage in football,” Sheehan said.

“The crowd might not have been huge when the game was being played but it is still grand final day at the MCG, it doesn’t get any bigger than that.

“All the boys loved the opportunity and I’m sure they were all dreaming about coming back some day and playing in the 2.30pm game.”