Tara Murray
Two Northern Knights stars, a couple of Western Jets guns and Calder Cannons young gun are among those named in the AFL and AFLW Academy programs for next year.
The squads each feature 30 players and include a selection of the most talented 17-year-old footballers across the country.
The players selected will be eligible in the 2023 drafts.
Players will participate in high performance and personal development programs throughout the 2023 season.
Program content will be delivered through a mixture of face-to-face and online modules with both programs to have a number of camps.
Northern Knights Nate Caddy has been selected in the boys academy. The Yarrambat junior finished runners-up in the Knights best and fairest this year, despite being a bottom age player.
His Knights teammate William Green has also been named in the squad.
Western Jets duo Kiera Whiley and Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner have been named in the girls academy.
Whiley, comes from Caroline Springs and Weston-Turner, won the Western Region Football League under-18 best and fairest, playing with Spotswood.
Calder Cannons Amy Gaylor has been named in the AFLW academy as well. Gaylor made her senior debut for Strathmore in the finals series and played a key role in its premiership.
This is the 26th annual intake for the AFL Academy and the sixth intake for the AFLW Academy, with both squads featuring players from every state and territory across Australia.
National academy manager Tarkyn Lockyer congratulated all players on their selection and said he was excited to work with the future stars of our game.
“Selection in the NAB AFL and AFLW Academy is a significant achievement and all players are thoroughly deserving of their place in the squads,” Lockyer said.
“It is extremely pleasing to again have all states and territories represented in this year’s intake and highlights that Australian football remains the first-choice sport for our country’s most talented young athletes.
“We are very excited about the high level of talent within this group of future stars of the AFL and AFLW, many of whom have already showcased their outstanding skills and abilities at representative level.”
