By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Having played for Vic Country (and co-captained the Under 16s side in 2022) and won the Best & Fairest for Geelong Grammar School\u2019s First XVIII this year, Mr Lalor is excited to see where this next step in his journey takes him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a pretty exciting and surreal moment, but I\u2019m really grateful for the opportunity I\u2019ve been given. It was a bit of a surprise really, I\u2019ve had a different year with school footy and a couple of injuries\u2026I think I set myself up pretty well, but it was still a surprise to make a team like that,\u201d he told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have been really supportive, everyone at the Cobras have been awesome and super supportive.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
While Mr Lalor isn\u2019t sure who those two games will be against, last year the squad played against a VFL side and a SANFL side.<\/p>\n
The dream of course is to play in the AFL, and despite his achievements so far, Lalor is staying grounded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan is hopefully to get myself on a list by the end of next year\u2026there\u2019s still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done, but that\u2019s the end goal.\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
AFL National Academy Manager and former Collingwood player Tarkyn Lockyer congratulated all those who made the Boys and Girls AFL National Academy Squads.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing 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,\u201d Mr Lockyer said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n