'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arie Schoenmaker will make his AFL debut this Friday, June 14, in St Kilda’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. The 194cm defender has been a consistent player for Sandringham this season, averaging 25 disposals per game under development coaches Damian Carroll, Jake Batchelor, and Lenny Hayes.
Taken with pick No. 62 in last year's draft, Arie Schoenmaker's strength and speed might contribute to the Saints’ pursuit of their sixth win this campaign before the mid-season bye.
After the main training session today, St Kilda development coach and VFL senior coach Jake Batchelor broke the news of his debut to Schoenmaker and some of his teammates.
Saints general manager of football David Misson expressed excitement about the 19-year-old Launceston product’s debut. He said:
Trending
“Arie has worked hard to earn his spot and we’re excited to see him take this opportunity at AFL level.”
Schoenmaker will be the 1647th player to debut for St Kilda at AFL level and the fifth debutant at the club this season following Angus Hastie, Darcy Wilson, Hugo Garcia, and Lance Collard.
The Saints will go against Brisbane tomorrow night at the Gabba.
Arie Schoenmaker’s work to get into the AFL: “I learnt so much”
Defender Arie Schoenmaker’s VFL journey has come to an end as he is set to debut for St Kilda tomorrow, June 13. His journey came with its hurdles from Launceston Academy to being a Tasmanian Devil team member.
He played in Round 11 for the Devils in the 2022 NAB League where he averaged 24 disposals (20 kicks, 4 handballs), 8 rebound 50s and 11 marks (5 intercepts).
Last season, an indiscretion off-field earned Schoenmaker a 10-game suspension from the Devils program. He had to start his season with Launceston in the Tasmanian Football League.
Upon his Coates Talent League return, he made up for lost ground rapidly. Posting remarkable numbers, he earned a call-up to the title-winning Allies side. His long kicking is a notable talent of his, having participated in Fox Footy’s Longest Kick competition.
In November 2023 before the draft, Arie Schoenmaker spoke to AFL.com.au about his 10-game ban. He said:
"The incident was definitely an eye-opener for me, but it has honestly set me up now as a person. I learnt so much from that experience ... I feel like it made me figure out this is what it is going to take for me to get to the next level."
