World Footy News

St Kilda have finally found their first international rookie in Porirua College's Joseph Baker-Thomas (photos courtesy AFL Media).

Joseph is 16 years old and around 193 cm. He has a background in a variety of sports including rugby, League, volleyball and basketball.

He has played 4 games of AFL 9's and played his first three games of full football at this week's NZ U18 Championships.

In speaking with him today he said "I am hugely excited about this opportunity and hope I can make the most of it".

Having seen him today on The Basin whilst Wellington had further Aussie Rules action with St Kilda meeting their supporters at the AFL NZ Have a Go day there is no doubt that he has the physical attributes to potentially play AFL.
 

St Kilda Head of Football, Chris Pelchen, said “His athleticism stood out to our recruiting staff here in New Zealand and obviously having that rugby pedigree we think he is in really good frame to play our sport,” Pelchen said.

“While he has only played a handful of AFL (sic) games we think there is opportunity for him to develop into an AFL player in the future.”

Baker-Thomas will be based in New Zealand and undertake a development program implemented by St Kilda, with the support of AFLNZ.

“Joe is in year 13 which is the final year of schooling in Wellington so he will continue to reside here and at the end of year we will review it with an open mind,” Pelchen said.

Pelchen said the signing, which was announced on the day of St Kilda’s historic premiership match in Wellington, wouldn’t be the only one under the Saints’ international scholarship program.

“Over the next 12 months we expect to sign a number of scholarship players.  While Joe is the first, the intention is that he won’t be the last.”

Up to eight athletes each year can be signed under an international scholarship, with the position sitting outside St Kilda’s primary and rookie list, as well as its Total Player Payments.