THREE talented local footballers have been selected in the 2026 AFL National Academy ahead of their draft year.<\/p>\n
Torquay pair Greea McKeegan and Jack Pickett and 17-year-old St Joseph’s midfielder Noah Williams have earned selection in the prestigious national pathway.<\/p>\n
The AFL National Academy provides the next generation of stars with valuable experiences, insights and education to best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey.<\/p>\n
The holistic program combines football performance and personal growth in a high-performance environment by providing unique opportunities and learnings that differ from other football programs they are involved in.<\/p>\n
Williams is fresh off the back of being named MVP for Team Boak – named in honour of recently-retired Torquay local hero Travis Boak – in this year’s Marsh AFL National Futures Match at the MCG on Grand Final Day.<\/p>\n
He played 10 games for the Geelong Falcons this year as a bottom-ager and averaged just under 13 disposals and 5.8 tackles.<\/p>\n
Fellow Geelong Falcon Jack Pickett played eight games for the Falcons and kicked 31 goals for the season, including a bag of seven in Round 15 against the Western Jets.<\/p>\n
Tall forward Greea McKeegan averaged ten disposals, 3.7 marks and 5.7 tackles per game when lining up for Victoria Country in the 2025 AFLW Under 18 Championships.<\/p>\n
AFL national academy man ager Tarkyn Lockyer congratulated all players on their selection.<\/p>\n
“One of the aims of the National Academy is to provide new experiences to our up-and-coming stars outside of what is already delivered at their state talent program to best prepare players for the next step in their football journey.<\/p>\n
“We are thrilled to be able to include a camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport as part of our 2026 program.<\/p>\n
“The camp will provide a unique experience for our participants and will give them the opportunity to challenge themselves at an internationally acclaimed facility.”<\/p>\n
The last time an international camp featured as part of the National Academy program was 2018, with the upcoming camp in New Zealand set to be the first time the AFL National Academy Girls program has travelled overseas.<\/p>\n
Camps at the NZCIS will be held from December 10-14 (boys) and December 17-21 (girls).<\/p>\n
The Academy will also come together for football camps in Melbourne during the 2026 season as well as talent showcase matches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THREE talented local footballers have been selected in the 2026 AFL National Academy ahead of their draft year. Torquay pair Greea McKeegan and Jack Pickett and 17-year-old St Joseph’s midfielder Noah Williams have earned selection in the prestigious national pathway. The AFL National Academy provides the next generation of stars with valuable experiences, insights and […]<\/p>\n