The Academy series, consisting of Greater Western Sydney, Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast, with Tasmania and the Northern Territory as well, started on Saturday at Blacktown in Sydney.

The Suns fell by 45 points to Tasmania with Far North juniors Damien Burke, Caleb Graham, Fitzroy Greenwool and Tui Lowah in the side.

The quartet all kicked goals in the loss while Graham took five strong marks, and was named in the Suns’ best players.

Cairns Saints junior Graham and AFL Cape York House product Greenwool will be in Suns colours for the five rounds of the academy series this season and Fletcher, who played 231 games across four AFL clubs, rates the pair highly.

“As a centre-half back Caleb reads the ball very well in the air and is great at intercepting it,” Fletcher said.

“He’s still got to improve his kicking a bit, but he can play on the best forwards and still take his stack of marks.

“Fitzroy is an indigenous boy who is really quick. He’s only light but he has great kicking skills, he can kick a goal and has great awareness around the forward line.”

FAR NORTH AFL PROSPECTS

Caleb Graham

Key defender

194cm/84kg

12/9/00

Fitzroy Greenwool

Small forward

172cm/58kg

24/4/00