TOMMY Cole and Aidyn Johnson got a taste of what it's like to play against a VFL side on Sunday, when the NAB AFL Academy under-18 side played against Werribee.
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The Bendigo Pioneers duo played in their first game with the Academy, facing off against a side which also included several senior-listed North Melbourne players.
The game, played at Simonds Stadium in Geelong, saw the Academy players match it with the VFL side.
But in the end, Werribee was able to outmuscle its younger opponent, winning 20. 7 (127) to 7.3 (45).
Cole, from Sandhurst, booted a goal in the 82-point loss.
The Academy team is coached by Brenton Sanderson, who was last week in Bendigo, coaching the Pioneers in a special training session.
In the lead up to the match Cole and Johnson were presented with their Australian Academy jumpers by West Coast champion Glen Jakovich and Essendon star Matthew Lloyd.
The NAB AFL Academy will next face the Northern Blues at the MCG on Saturday.
It is the curtain-raiser to the Richmond and Western Bulldogs round two clash.