The AFL has today confirmed the group of AFL talent representing the NAB AFL Academy against Geelong VFL on Saturday April 24 at GMHBA Stadium.

The intake includes a selection of the best 17 and 18-year-olds across the country who will be eligible for the 2021 NAB AFL Draft.

Queensland is represented by Gold Coast SUNS Academy player Austin Harris who hails from Cairns.

This is the 24th annual intake of boys with both squads having players representing every state and territory across Australia. Graduates from the NAB AFL Academy includes AFL Captains Joel Selwood, Trent Cotchin, Luke Parker, Stephen Coniglio, Ben McEvoy, Jack Ziebell and Marcus Bontempelli.

The 29 players will participate in a high performance training camp which will include a week of skills training and personal development programs to be held in Melbourne this week before facing Geelong VFL at 10.10am on Saturday morning.

The NAB AFL Academy and Geelong VFL will compete for the AFL Commission Chairman’s Cup with the best on ground receiving the MCC Chairman’s Medal. Past winners include Matt Rowell, Ben King and Angus Brayshaw.

National Academy Manager and Coach Tarkyn Lockyer congratulated all players ahead of their arrival this week and said he is excited to work with the future stars of Australian Football.

“These boys represent the future of the AFL and have been selected into the 2021 NAB AFL Academy as recognition for their elite football talent and their qualities as young men,” Lockyer said.

“They are a quality group of boys on and off field who all possess great skill and ability with players selected from all states and territories in Australia with vast backgrounds and football experiences.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them grow as people and as footballers and their enthusiasm and commitment to the program is a clear indicator that our game is strong and our pathway programs are made up of the best Australian sporting talent,” Lockyer said.

“We cant wait for Saturday’s game. To see the best of the best from around the country come together to compete against a seasoned Geelong VFL side will provide great excitement that boys representative football is back ahead of the 2021 NAB AFL Draft.”

The boys squad will be coached by Tarkyn Lockyer who will be supported by Brad Johnson, Jason Davenport, Tony Bamford and Alicia Eva from the GWS GIANTS.

2021 NAB AFL Academy

The NAB AFL Academy is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL. The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program comprises of the following elements:

• NAB AFL Rising Star
• NAB AFL Draft
• NAB AFL Draft Combine
• NAB AFL Under-19 Championships
• NAB AFL Academy

NAB has been supporting footy from grassroots to elite level since 2002.

Picture by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos