Footy dream develops

By Lachlan Ellis

A Moorabool teen has taken the next step in fulfilling his goal of becoming a professional footballer, being named in a squad of just 26 young men from across the country.

Seventeen-year-old Sam Lalor, who plays for the Bacchus Marsh Cobras and Greater Western Victoria Rebels, was named in the 2024 AFL National Academy Squad this month, joining elite talents from every state and territory in Australia.

Having played for Vic Country (and co-captained the Under 16s side in 2022) and won the Best & Fairest for Geelong Grammar School’s First XVIII this year, Mr Lalor is excited to see where this next step in his journey takes him.

“It was a pretty exciting and surreal moment, but I’m really grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given. It was a bit of a surprise really, I’ve had a different year with school footy and a couple of injuries…I think I set myself up pretty well, but it was still a surprise to make a team like that,” he told the Moorabool News.

“People have been really supportive, everyone at the Cobras have been awesome and super supportive.”

The AFL National Academy Squad players will take part in a training camp in December, before spending a week with an AFL club and playing two practice games.

While Mr Lalor isn’t sure who those two games will be against, last year the squad played against a VFL side and a SANFL side.

The dream of course is to play in the AFL, and despite his achievements so far, Lalor is staying grounded.

“The plan is hopefully to get myself on a list by the end of next year…there’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done, but that’s the end goal.” he said.

AFL National Academy Manager and former Collingwood player Tarkyn Lockyer congratulated all those who made the Boys and Girls AFL National Academy Squads.

“Being part of the AFL National Academy is a fantastic achievement. All players selected in the Boys and Girls squads have demonstrated outstanding football ability and a determination to advance further in their football journey,” Mr Lockyer said.